Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1931-04-09
Minnesota Legislature
Weekly Review by
HJALMAR PETERSEN
March 30-April A.
Representative From Pine County

The bill, which has for its purpose
the extension of service by muni1i
pally owned electric light and power
plants passed the House Monday by
an overwhelming majority. The final
vote was 100 for the measure and only
2 against.
At present, municipality owned pow
err and light plants may distribute
current only inside of their village or
city limits. Under provisions of the
bill, lines may be extended so current
can be sold to farmers and to other
incorporated villages or cities and the
lines may even be extended beyond
the state borders.
Representative r. j. McGhee of Vir-
ginia, gave one of the principal talks
in behalf of the bill. He said that
we have all kinds of cooperative
movements and the people should have
the right to cooperate on light plants
also. He brought out the success of
the municipality owned plant at Vir-
ginia and how they have gotten the
current rates down to &c per X. H.,
and if discounted on certain day of
the month, it is but &c per X. H., the
discount being 33 1870. Mr.. McGhee
also stated that his home city has
several close neighboring Villages
that would like to be served with cleo
trio current from the Virginia plant
The same is true in many other parts
of the state. Representatives L. C.
Rosetter, of Yellow Medicine, S. A.
Stockwell of Hennepin, and M. w. Will
liams of Fillmore, all spoke in favor
of the bill, it being brought out that
the plan had been originated with the
League of Minnesota Municipalities.
An amendment to the original bill
calls for a five-eighths vote of the peo-
pie before extension of electric lines
outside of the Incorporated limits can
be undertaken.
Lawyers Bill Modified.
The so-called lawyers bill was
passed by the House this week by a
vote of II to 81, it having previously
passed the Senate. The bill was tanned
down considerably so that farm jour-
mails or other publications may con-
tinue their legal advice columns and
wills can be drawn up and other
legal help given by banks. The writer,
however, voted against the bill for
the reason that apparently too much
class legislation is being put on the
statute books. A person who knows
his business and gives service will
succeed without the aid of such laws.
Bond Issue Carries.
The trunk road bond issue was thor
oughly discussed pro and con in the
House Tuesday. After nearly four
hours of oratory the vote stood 70 for
and SO against the issuing of SIS, AGO.
900 in road bonds. The measure hav-
ing previously carried in the Senate,
the matter now is law for the bill
was shortly signed by the governor.
Representative E. ]. Chilgren of
Koochiching county, led the fight for
the measure and he was supported by
such other representatives as Hitch
cock, Brophey, Campbell, Nordine, and
Starkey. The vote by the city men,
bers was almost unanimously for the
bond issue, but what is most surpris-
ing is the vote by representatives from
northern Minnesota counties that are
deeply tax delinquent. Many of those
are asking for help from the legisla-
ture for their counties in one way or
another and yet they voted for the
bond issue.
Representative Andrew Finstuen of
Goodhue county, made an excellent
plea against the measure, and he was
assisted by Messrs. Stockwell, Regain,
Kern, and others. Speaker Oscar A.
Swenson relinquished the chair for a
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