The Bismarck tribune., 1935-03-02
Resolution Asking for Federal
Inquiry Passes 80 to Is;
Goes to Senate
DEMOCRATS SPONSOR MOVE
Joint Committee Of Six Legis-
lators Would Be Appointed
To Investigate
BULLETIN


The house Saturday, sitting as q
committee Of the whole, recommend
ed for passage the compulsory hail
insurance law.
The measure Is expected to come
before the house Monday for final
passage. It calls for compulsory hail
insurance Of all small grain crops in
the state on q pro-rated basis.
Harold Hopton, state insurance
commissioner, estimates the depart
ment, under provisions Of the bill, will
insure from 100000 to 10000
acres OF small grain crops, including
fax. oats, wheat. barley and rye.
Other crops are exempt from the
compulsory provisions of the act.
BY = vote Of more than .two-thirds
OF the members. the house late Fri
DAY passed q concurrent resolution
calling for an investigation Of state
administration of the FERA in North
Dakota.
Introduced by four Democrats, the
resolution will 60 to the senate Sat
urday for their consideration.
In addition to calling on Harry L..
Hopkins. national federal relief ad-
mtniStrator, to launch an investiga-
tion Of the state relief setup, congress
and the president are urged to take
immediate steps to investigate ad-
mtnistration Of relief in North Da-
kota."
A joint committee of six legislators
three from the house. three from
the Senate-alSo Is asked to be ap-
pointed as an investigatory group to
probe into administration Of state or
private agencies set up through fed
eral funds allocated by the FERA.
Move Starts Floor Fight
Leland J. Smith Of Cass, one Of the
four sponsors Of the resolution. bore
the brunt Of an attack leveled
against the proposal by L. L. Twich-
ell Of CaSs, Edwin Traynor Of RAM
sey and Karl H. BrunSdale Of Trail.
Brunsdale opened the battle against
the measure with motion for indefi-
mite postponement, which was voted
down almost Immediately.
II don't like to be put in the posi-
ton Of dog In the manger." Bruns-
dale asserted. II suggest that we do
not bite the hand that feeds US. I
ask this measure be indefinitely post
poned."
On q viva voce vote. his motion was
lost.
Twichell claimed the legislature
had no power or Jurisdiction to In
vestigate the FERA. Its q federal
agency and g such Is outside our jur-
isdiction," he cried.
'What good-what practical worth
= this investigation?" asked r. ].
Mcllraith Of Divide. "What is its
purpose, from . practical standpoint
what can Be Accomplished"
Wants - Learn Truth
"What Is the purpose Of any In.
vestigation?" shot hack Smith, "the
purpose Is to find out II reports con-
corning the administration are true,
or untrue"
Smith declared the lesislstors pos
Sessed tho right to draw the atten-
ton Of federal authorities ct Wash-
ington to the reports Of maladminis-
tration IN North Dakota.
"Well-why not write them . per-
sonal letter. bringing out the facts.
then?" persisted Aclfaith.
"lu let you write the letter-I'm
doing It this way" Smith replied.
The resolution lists more than =
dozen claims II support Of the In
vestiCation, charging discontentment
with the administration, bringing
into the administration personnel
many out q state residents: top
heavinAs and unwieldiuess: fayog.
ittsm In distribution q roliel orders
In counties, salAries out q propcgtion
4Continued On eage 0oven