Evening star., 1934-11-11
Conservative Group Pre-
sents Strong Obstacles to
Specialization Program.
GOVERNOR MAY SOFTEN
RADICAL PROPOSALS
Business Hopeful Cooperative
Commonwealth Scheme Will
Not Be Emphasized.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

ST. PAUL, Mimi, November
10.-Whetner Gov. Floyd B.
Olson will succeed in establish
ing the projected cooperative
commonwealth in Minnesota is
subject of grave concern in
many Minnesota quarters.
Reelected this week for a
third term on platform calling
for socialization of industry, the
Farmer-Labor standard bearer,
regardless of his intentions,
faces strong obstacles because of
an apparently strong conServa-
tive flavor in both Houses of the
new State Legislature.
The conservatives are claiming a
majority in the State Senate, where
the liberals have been consistently
checked in past sessions, and indi-
cations are that there will be con-
spicuous leaning away from the ex-
treme left in the Lower House.
1t appeared quite likely that ad-
ministration forces would again or
ganiZe the House, but observers
gained the distinct impression that
the lower branch itself will not be
as receptive to radical proposals as
at the last session when several
administration measures were ap-
proved, only to be blocked by the
conservative Senate.
The latest check shows that liberal
legislators Jared none too well at the
hands of the voters, and the belief
prevails widely that the Democrats in
the House will not be so eager to
join the liberal block because of
wounds left by the campaign.
Two years ago there was an unofi-
cial coalition of Farmer -Laborites and
Democrats to elect Olson Governor
and put Minnesota in the Roosevelt
column. This spirit carried on into
the Legislature, with the liberals con-
trolling the lower branch without
struggle.
However, the recent campaign was
far different and the fairly close
fight Republican Martin Nelson made
against Olson, and the poor showing
of Democrat John E. Regan indi-
Gated that Olson lost great deal of
the Democratic support he received
two years ago to make a runaway
race.
Farmer La bOrite Defeats.
Defeat of several prominent Far
mer-Labor legislators, notably State
Senator Emil Regnier, Olson's cam
paign manager, may influence Gov.
Olson to soften the radical program
in the face of the none-too- over
whelming Endorsement.
In fact Olson's opponents are be-
moaning the fact that Regans back
ers would not yield to persuasion and
approve the proposed fusion which,
on the face of the returns, is &C
cepted in some quarters as meaning
that joining of the anti-Olson forces
would have brought defeat to the
Farmer-Labor chieftain.
So business is getting some salts
faction out of the thought that the
temper of the electorate, as indicated
by perhaps some waning of Olson's
popularity, may prompt Olson to
withhold great pressure behind the
socialistic program.
Business, while probably confident
that the conservative element in the
Legislature could ultimately side
track approval of the third party
program, undoubtedly prefers to have
the minimum emphasis placed on the
cooperative Commonwealth scheme.
Republicans, though losing some
State offices, profess to have been
encouraged by the great race run
by the obscure Martin Nelson, who
threw a scare into the Olson forces
early in the ballot counting when
he whitfield the Governors advantage
down to a comparatively small mar
gin. Nelson, an unknown before the
campaign, made a remarkable race
and undoubtedly will figure in the
gubernatorial battle two years hence.
Then Olson is expected to quit the
governorship to oppose Republican
Senator Thomas D. Schall, who will
be up for reelection.
Republicans Encouraged.
Republicans got added encourage
ment from the fine showing of their
congressional candidates, although
Senator Henrik Shipstead, the vet
eran Farmer-Laborite, had no trouble
whatever in gaining reelection over
Democrat Einar Hoidale and Repub-
lican N. J. Holmberg, who ran third.
The G. o. P. victory in the sixth
district which found Representative
Harold Knutson showing surprising
strength in defeating Farmer-Labor
Magnus johnson, was particularly
pleasing to the old guard Knutson is
one of the few persons who ever beat
johnson at the polls.
The victory was especially delight
full to the G. o. p, since the Farmer
Labor administration in reapportion-
ing the State took particular pains
to match Representative johnson
against KnutSon with the thought that
Magnus was the one man who could
end Knutson's long career in the ma
tional House. This thought got much
support from the free-for-all race
for Representative two years ago. when
MagnuS led the field by wide margin.
Returning to the House under the
G. o. P. banner are three veterans
who lost out in the mad scramble
two years ago. They are William A.
Pittinger, eighth district: August An
dresen, first district, and Melvan Mas.
Aurth district, comprising the city