Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1935-01-24
SECOND LAP OF
LEGISLATURE
Seed Loan Bill Would Allow
Farmers to Repay
in Kind.
Early Part of Session Sees
Much Work Done in
Committees.
BY Hjalmar Petersen, Lieutenant Gov
ernor of Minnesota.

week OF Jan. IL to 19).
AS the Minnesota Legislature COM
pleted the second week of its 49th
session certain trends were observ-
able. 1t was apparent that the ma
jority groups in both houses were go
ing to support considerable progress
sive legislation. Some measures long
advocated by the liberals already have
been introduced.
Recognition of the need for legis-
lation to provide farm relief, to give
employment in the state, and to pro-
vide a greater measure of security
for the people as whole, is seen
in a number of bills, and resolutions
presented. Already several proposals
have been introduced which fit in
with certain of the recommendation
for social security legislation made
by Governor Olson in his message to
the Legislature.
In this connection may be men
toned the bill introduced in the
House by Representative Edward
Hagen of Milan, and others. 1t pro-
poses two-year extension of the
Mortgage Moratorium act of 1888.
Such an extension was asked by Gov
ernor Olson in his message.
Seed Loans Proposed.
The 100000 seed loan bill, which
would allow farmers to repay such
loans in kind, is before both houses.
Funds would be provided by the state
under the measure to enable county
boards to buy seed and lend it to the
farmers. The farmer then would be
permitted to repay in kind, bushel
for bushel. from the crop produced
Governor Olson in his message
urged that farmers who are about to
lose their property be permitted to
make payments on their mortgages in
the produce of their farms. In the
opinion of this writer provisions for
payments, in kind represent a wise
step toward farm relief At present
the creditors of the farmer receive
payments on previously stipulated
cash basis, regardless of whether the
farmers income has declined. Thus
with the farmer the risks and I'M
certainties of farm production. Mar
rowing markets and lowered farm
prices do not affect the payments to
the creditors.
But under plan for payments in
kind the creditors and others less di-
rectly affected now by the condition
of agriculture would be given a direct
interest. improvement of farm mar
kets and prices would be to their
advantage, as we'll as that of the
farmer, and they would see the nee
essity of joining with him in the
fight to bring about better prices and
wider markets for farm products.
Another proposal emphasizing the
trend toward increased social Iegisla-
ton is the bill introduced by Senator
B. G. NOvak, Farmer-Laborite Of st.
Paul, asking that the Legislature pc
tition Congress and President Roose-
old-age pension act.
Nine.FOOt Channel Urged.
Both houses have approved a reso-
luton presented by Senator M. J. Gal
vim of WinOna, memorializing Con-
gress to appropriate sufficient funds
to complete the nine-foot channel in
the Mississippi river. The resolution.
which was signed by the governor.
points out the need for added en-
ployment in Minnesota
rho A.
passed a resolution embodying the
in Governor Olson's
message that the Legislature memoir
ialize Congress to fix a minimum
price on farm products. A similar
resolution, offered by Senator J. v.
Weber Of Slayton, is before the SEN
ate.
One OF the features OF the week
was the progress in the organization
OF the House and the adoption Of the
permanent rules of that body. AL
though members of the liberal minor
ity in the House fought for a delay
in the adoption Of the rules they were
defeated by a vote Of 80 to "a.
Chairmen of important committees
as announced by Speaker George w.
Johnson include: Appropriations, J.
r. Sweitzer. st. Paul; Taxes. r. T.
Hart, Moose Lake; Banks and Bank
ing, 0. X. DAZZLE, Spring Grove; Civi!
Administration, L. E. Brophey, Min
neapolis; Education. Harry L. VAIL
strand, Willmar; Judiciary, John A.
Weeks, Minneapolis; and Rules, Roy
E. Dunn, Pelican Rapids.
The two women members OF the
Mrs. Mabeth Hurd Paige and
Mrs. Hannah J. Kempfer, have been
given the chairmanships Of the public
(Continued on Page -