The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1933-01-06
BY G.. B. WOLLAN.

st. Paul, Jan. 3, 1933-The 48th Min
nesota legislature convened today and
cleared the decks for action with COM
mendable speed, both senate and house
completing their organizations on the
opening day, something that HASN'T been
accomplished within the memory of
even the oldest inhabitant.
The result was pretty much as had
been anticipated, the same coalition ma
jority of two years ago controlling the
senate, while the Farmer Labor Liberal
group carried off the honors in the
house, electing Rep. Charles Mum,
Osseo dirt farmer, as speaker over Rep,
Andrew Finstuen, conservative indorsee,
by vote of IA to Sc.
The controlling group in the senate
is comprised of both conservatives and
liberals and mustered 38 votes to 81 for
the opposition, consisting mostly OF
Farmer aborites. Standing committees
were named Immediately by resolution
having been prepared in advance by the
majority steering committee. This is
the first time in the history Of the legis-
lature, it is believed, when senate COM
mittees were named on the opening day
Speaker Mum did not have the house
committees fully completed, but was
able soon after adjournment for the day
to announce the chairmen of all COM
mittees This list showed that not a
single so-called conservative heads any
important committee, while the all i'm
portant committee on rules consists
entirely of liberals, headed by Rep. John
j. McDonough, st. Paul, who is Demo-
GRAFT, but who has been elected time
after time with Labor Endorsement. He
is chairman of the Ramsey county
Democratic committee.
Former Rep. Frank T. Starkey, ST.
Paul Farmer-Labor leader, who was de-
feated for reelection last November
was elected chief clerk over John
Levin, also of st. Paul, who has held
| the position in the last three terms, by
vote of 88 to 81. The rest of the
liberal slate of elective house officials
was elected witrout opposition.
Mr.. Starkey was minority floor leader
/ for several sessions and has always beer
popular with his colleagues, regardless
of political affiliations. Because of his
house and his familiarity with parli-
mentary procedure, he is expected tc
be of great aid to the new speaker in
keeping the machinery of the house or
ganization working smoothly and eff
GENTLY.
The only elective official of the house
of two years ago to be reelected is
Rev. Charles L. Grant, Faith Lutheran
church, st. Paul, the chaplain.
While the 1888 legislature may appear
to be a house divided against itself, il
is not exactly that in fact AS already
stated, the majority faction in the
senate includes several progreSsives who
are open supporters of Gov. Olson's
program.
Even the so-called conservatives are
not disposed to try to thwart an sound
progressive legislation, according to
statements made by several of them
who insist that they are, in fact, just
as progressive as the so-called liberals
although not inclined to be as RADICAL
as are few of the Farmer-IjatioI
senators.
In other words, there. IS ev6rs. 'ip-
dication that Gov. Olson:s program. and
policies will meet with quite friendly
cooperation even in the senate, although
the more conservative senators probably
won't "go the limit" in this direction
Much will depend, of course, upon how
far the governor goes in his recon-
mendations for legislation.
1t is not believed that Gov. Olson will
recommend enactment at this session
of laws intended to carry out all of the
planks of the Farmer Labor party, but
will confine himself to urging only the
more conservative legislation set forth
in the party's platform.
However, before these lines get into
print, the governors message to the
legislature will have been delivered
"wednesday noon) and his recon-
mendations will be known. For this
reason it is useless at this time to
speculate on what he may or may not
recommend
It is known, however, that Gov. Olson
will call the legislatures attention to