Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1934-01-25

torney-general, auditor, treasurer and
secretary of state) has full charge Of
the fund. Had not the special ses-
sion made provision for substantial
relief money, Minnesota might have
found itself empty handed where fur
Their federal recovery funds are con-
cerned. Several states not wishing to
share the burden of recovery with the
national government have been cut
off from federal funds.
The federal governments transient
program under the state emergency
relief administration has been receiv-
ing favorable attention throughout
Minnesota. 1t is reported that pan
handling has been considerably de-
creased and the drift of INDECENT in
dividuals and families in the state
brought nearly to standstill. Edi-
tOrial comments laud the federal gov
eminent for its recognition Of the
transient problem and the state re-
lief heads for the efficient and salts
factory program set up i'm Minnesota.
Engineers of the Highway Depart
ment are carrying on a detailed study
of the condition of the 1900 miles
of county roads which were taken into
the trunk system January 1. Reports
are being assembled on each mile OF
the new roads to show their grade,
width, alignment and surface condi-
ton. This information is necessary
for the planning of future improve
ment of the enlarged highway system
which now is 11.300 miles in length.
When the Northwest Bancorpora-
ton stock sales investigation was first
ordered by the Minnesota Department
of Commerce, officials of the corpora
ton were quoted as saying: I'VE well
come the investigation" Apparently
something has happened to change
their minds as last week they OBJ
tanned federal court restraining
order hating the probe until hear
ing in Minneapolis January 9th.
1t will be noted that in virtually
each instance of the thirty inmates
of state prisons pardoned last week
by the Minnesota Pardon Board the
prisoner was a first offender. In
most cases, these unfortunates were
too poor to hire competent legal adj
vice. What society should seek is
not revenge against the transgres-
sors of its laws as much as it should
seek to rehabilitate them and restore
them to useful social membership, re-
Numbering at the same time that an
object lesson is needed. 1t is an in
disputable fact that the percentage
of first offenders granted probation
who make good is much greater than
first offenders who are punished by
prison confinement. The longer the
offender is confined in prison the less
becomes his chances of making good,
the greater becomes his anti-SOcial
complex.
State Senator A. J. ROckne's consti-
tuents apparently differ with their
representative on the matter of re-
lief. Goodhue, home county of the
senator, was the first to make formal
application for part of the $5,0OO,OOO
relief fund. The amount asked is
$4,000 for construction Of a road
and bridge for a tuberculosis sana-
forum.
The low resistance and weakened
physical condition that accompanies
unemployment makes the safety pro-
gram of CWA work an important part
of every project. Malnutrition makes
poor preparation for working in Min
nesota winter weather and workers
tend to be careless of mechanical haz-
ards.