The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-08-19
NUMEROUS ISSUES
CONFRONT VOTERS
ON PACIFIC COAST
oregon's Bone Dry Status to
Be Tested BY Referendum
Vote in November
Nv GEORGE ID. MANN

BY GEORGE ID. MANN
Portland, Ore, Aug. 14.-November
elections in Oregon will be enlivened
by many other issues than the presi-
Dental selection.
The vets have referred and inlti-
ated several laws involving Oregon's
bone dry status. Prohibition forces
are now busy perfecting an organiza-
ton to combat such measures. Wash
ington, neighboring state, has the
same fight on it's hands and the drys
Of both commonwealth are joined
together to fight a common enemy.
But, overshadowing all issues, is
the mess stirred up over higher edu-
cation. An educational bill, passed
at a recent session and involving
more than a million dollars for high
er education, is being referred. Also
laws are being initiated which would
change the whole educational map
of Oregon. The most controversial
measure provides for the consolida-
ton of the University Of Oregon and
State College at Corvallis, and the
establishment of state teachers
training school at Eugene, present
site of the state university. The
abandonment of normal school
plant, the conversion of two normals
into Junior colleges, and transfer OF
the state law school from Eugene to
Salem complete the plan. Arguments
advanced to maintain the status quo
of Oregons educational system read
like those advanced to keep the state
capital at Bismarck. While the leg
islation is ostensibly in the interests
of economy and efficiency, opponents
declare the passage of the measures
would put Oregon'S higher education
ION wheels" and be costly venture.
Another measure would limit bond
issues and debt limits. Still another
provides tax budget supervisors. An
income tax boost law is on the bal
lot increasing the rate on personal
incomes from five to eight per cent
and certain tax exemptions are re-
duced.
An amendment is to be voted upon
which will permit the state OF Oregon
to cooperate with the federal govern
ment in developing power sites. This
has the support of Gov. Meier.
Railroads are reported backing a
measure which will curtail bus COM
petition. This measure eliminates
trailers, increases fees, and restricts
tonnage Of trucks. Anti-bus legisla-
ton is sponsored by the Oregon
Highway Protective association but
the truck and bus men see behind it
the finesse of the rail carriers.
A group of taxpayers are seeking
to establish qualification of voters
at bond elections. A measure would
restrict voting on bond issues to tax
payers only.
Repeal of all state prohibition laws
is also provided for. Oregon is one
of the outstanding dry states of the
Union and most vigorous contest
is anticipated.
In all there are Is measures on the
November ballot.
): X X
Portland's two leading newspapers,
The Oregonian, noted for its trench
ant editorials. and The Journal, are
engaged in heated contest over ma
tional politics. The Oregonian is q
hide-bound Republican newspaper
while The Journal is supporting Roo
sevelt most militantly.
Republican leaders here believe
Hoover will carry the state and place
their hopes chiefly upon the slight
upturn in business of the last week.
Democrats, on the contrary. are as
sure Oregon, for the first time in its
history will 90 Democratic
In an Oregon newspaper of this
date news dispatch from Seattle
announced that if the election were
held now Roosevelt would carry
Washington by at least 100000. Hoo
yer had a plurality over Smith in
1923 in Washington in 10000.
Orcgon's situation resembles that
of its reighbor. Many Republicans
admit that if tho election were held
now Roosevelt would carry Oregon
Hoover supporters contend the
Roosevelt-Garner sent ime 1t has
reached its flood and is now rapidly
receding. Democrats chucklc arc
say that when Republicans are ever
admitting Roosevelt Garner strength
in such banner states as Oregon ano
Washington, there will be a real con-
test on the Pacific coast between the
forces CT the two dominant parties.
Out i'll the highways and by-ways
on the streets and in the paris. little
Hoover sentiment Can be found. Ag-
ricul.ural Oregon, which comprises
about so per cent of the vote. ha
swung heavily toward Roosevelt
There is no denying that.
Here, as in California. Republican
bosses are hoping that business con.
ditions will continue to improve. the
dinner pail bulge once more and TIA.
the old prosperity argument will keer
Hoover in the white house for an.
other four years.
AS in California. many Republicans
in Oregon and Washington are reg.
istering as Democrats.
So evident is this tendency tina,
even Republicans are commenting
upon it and seem alarmed.