The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1929-02-06
BATTLE LINES ARE DRAWN
IN STATE LEGISLATURE
Continued from first page)

ago the Big Three cut down their re-
quests for appropriations to remedy
this deplorable condition, he struck a
blow at the triumvirate with those
estimable gentlemen were unable to
parry or break the force of.
The University
The interest of the lawmakers and
the public is centering more and more
on the University of Minnesota. When
the Big Three attempted to control
the finances of that institution, as
you may remember, the regents ap-
pealed to the courts. with the result
that the highest tribunal held that
the University is an independent in
stitution, created by the constitution
and responsible only to the legisla-
ture, which alone has power to
regulate it's activities and select it's
governing board. That decision made
the University independent not only
of the Big Three but also Of the gov
ernor, except for his veto power over
appropriations.
So, when the Big Three, in their
budget, disallowed the .University's
request for 100000 per year for new
buildings and cut down the allowance
for salaries and other expenses, the
regents and the chancellor ran up the
flag of battle. First came Fred B.
Snyder of Minneapolis, modern
knight, whose cause is higher edu-
cation and culture. With polished
language, every word Of which
counted, he informed the senate
finance committee that the University
proposes to stand on it's rights under
the constitution and to ask the legis-
lature for enough money to carry on
it's work efficiently. He spoke re-
specially of the Big Three and pro-
posed that they purchase supplies for
the University and let the building
contracts. Next came Chancellor
Coffman, another finished gentleman,
scholar and modern knight, with an
exposition of the handicap under
which the institution has labored in
being unable to pay high enough sal
aries to retain able, experienced pro-
fessors. His statistics in this respect
were impressive, several hundred
members of the faculty having been
lost to other universities in recent
years.
Miscellaneous Subjects.
The first important measure passed
by the present legislature is bill re-
submitting to the people an amend
ment to the constitution doing away
with the double-liability of stockhold-
ers in corporations other than banks.
1t failed of adoption at the last cleo
ton, through the peoples Indifference.
At the next election it will be Amend
ment No. 1 and may get the requisite
fifty per cent of the votes cast.
In last weeks letter 1 held out the
hope that the legislature would pass a
bill authorizing the state Rural Cred
its Bureau to pay tax for the sup
port of schools in all districts where
lands taken over by the bureau make
up at least five per cent of the real
estate. But just after l sent out that
statement, the attorney general ex-
pressed the opinion that such a bill
would be unconstitutional. What can
be done now to relieve the unfortu-
nate situation in many school districts
remains to be seen.
For the third time this year the
house adjourned from Thursday to
Monday. on the motion of Represen-
tative o. K. Dahle of Spring Grove;
and within few minutes there was a
bevy of announcements that commit
tee meetings scheduled for Friday
would not be held. The Legislative
machinery had stopped, except for the
fact that a considerable number OF
the members of the appropriations
committee went to the University for
tour of inspection, Friday.
The senate held a session Friday
forenoon. after which it adjourned till
Monday evening.
In conclusion let me give you the
interesting news that Mayor George
E. Leach of Minneapolis has got a
new job. Acting under instructions
from the thirty thousand World War
f~'OeCi oiiS VI 4AilliiCdPOAio, CuS CACCU-
tive committee of the Fifth district of
the American Legion has adopted the
following resolution which is self
explanatory:
Whereas. in view of the fact that
a great number of disabled ex-service
men are out of employment in Mime
apolis. and
Whereas. many of these veterans
have recently been discharged from
the United States veterans hospital
at Fort Smelling and are in need of
temporary employment, and
Whereas. it has been called to our
attention that there are about IT'S
temporary positions open at the pres
ent session of the legislature, and
Whereas. we have been informed
that these positions are being filled by
wives, daughters, political henchmen
and friends of members, therefore,
"Be it resolved that the fifth district
of the American Legion, department
of Minnesota, appoint Mayor George
E. Leach a committee of one to in