The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1933-11-24

SESSION. lot DtC. 4, Gov. OlSOQ Sdlu
Monday that he has not yet decided the
date, saying that he wishes first r. , ,scs.ln
more about the attitude of the legiS-
lators or to the limits to be placed
on legislation to be considered.
He therefore asked Sen. Charles N
Orr, st. Paul, chairman, senate rules
committee, to write the senators for ex-
pressions of opinion. These letters
were to go out Tuesday.
Speaker Mum sent out such a letter
two weeks ago and has already heard
from upwards of 100 house members,
nearly all of whom favor limiting
special session legislation to two SUBJ
jects, namely, public relief and liquor
control.
This consensus comedies with the
governors own views, it is said.
It Is believed similar reaction will
be recorded on part of a majority of
the state senators, in which event Gov.
Olson's official call for the special ses-
sion will make such limitation.
Indications point strongly to the con-
clusion that the legislature will have
its hands full with these subjects
control and public relief-if it hopes to
complete its work before Christmas,
which is the apparent desire of all
concerned.
Already there is sufficient diversity
of opionion noticeable to assure some
strenuous fights both in committee and
on the floor before liquor control law
is enacted
Here are some of the tell-tale straws:
The governors liquor control study
commission has voted to recommend a
control system weherby hard liquor in
original packages (off sale) shall be
sold by drugstores, with the profits
limited, and sold by drinks in bonafide
restaurants, hotels and clubs, the Ii
cense fees to be divided between the
state and the municipalities. A liquor
control commissioner would be in
charge of the licensing.
The Farmer-Labor education bureau
has submitted a plan for distribution
through state dispensaries instead of
by drugstores.
The social relations committee of the
Minnesota Congregational churches also
favors the state dispensary plan and
demands that hard liquor be sold with
out profit as the best means of elimin-
ating bootlegging.
The Allied Drys under the leadership
of such veterans as Sen. Victor Lawson.
Willmar and w. G. Calderwood, Min
neapolis, have served notice that they
will fight against repeal of the state
prohibition law and, if this fight fails.
to contend for the Strictest possible
regulation and for complete county or
local option.
And now comes John E. Regain Man
kato, Democratic candidate for COVER
nor year ago, with declaration that
the Democrats presumably the "rump''
faction under his leadership are "going
to have something to say about it.
because we Democrats led the fight for
prohibition repeal" Regain wants local
instead of state control.
With all these different views already
outlined, plus plans expected to be sub
mitted to individual legislators, it can
readily be seen that it's not going to be
any easy task to obtain a majority in
both branches of the legislature behind
any particular control plan. The
leaders are facing a tough battle to
round up such a majority, and they
are beginning to realize the difficulties
that beSet them.
And to try to get agreement on one
plan out of the many proposed-not to
mention the time it will take to handle
the necessary relief legislation in
side of two weeks, or three weeks at the
outside, is a real job.
Gov. Olson is believed not to be in
full accord with the recommendations
of his liquor control study commission.
leaning rather to the state dispensary
plan. Since he carries the big stick"
in the form of veto power, it must be
admitted that he will have considerable
influence in shaping the control legis-
lation.
Much will depend on how well the
senate conservative leaders and the
house liberal leaders will be able to
work together.
So you can just say merits to you"
if anybody tries to tell you that the
special session is going to be like a
happy weekend party. It's not in the