Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1935-02-07
DROUTH BILL
TO THE FORE
Action by Conservatives
Would Delay Funds
Too Long.
Investigating Committee of
Eleven Includes Eight
Conservatives.
BY Hjalmar Petersen, Lieutenant Gov
ernOr of Minnesota.


BY Hjalmar Petersen, Lieutenant Gov
ernor Of Minnesota.
week of Jan. 81 to Feb. p
Both houses of the Minnesota Leg
islature witnessed real displays 1T
fireworks on the floor during this
week.
In the Senate there was the battle
over the membership of the Carley
committee which will investigate
state departments; in the House the
fight between the liberals and con-
servatives on the question Of relief
held the spotlight.
The relief dispute obviously is the
more important of the two-it is.
without question, one of the principal
issues confronting this session of the
Legislature, just as it is one Of the
pressing problems now before the
Congress of the United States.
Important Vote Test.
One of the most important tests
so far in this legislative session came
Thursday when the House was debat-
ing a motion of Representative H. C.
Anderson Of Tyler, for the passage,
under suspension of the rules, of the
100000 drouth relief bill sponsored
by the conservative leaders. This bill
was reported favorably by the House
Appropriations committee. Liberals
fought it, insisting that consideration
be given to the original relief bill
submitted by the relief committee
after it had conferred with Governor
Olson. This bill calls for the appro-
priation of $11,OO0,OOO for the next
biennium, $1,00O,OOO to go for immed-
late relief to the farmers in the
drouth areas.
1t is the contention of the liberals
that to pass the $1,OO0,OO0 drouth re-
lief bill, leaving the remaining So.
100000 of the relief program in abey-
ance, would jeopardize Minnesota's
chances of obtaining the full amount
of federal relief offered under the new
program of the Roosevelt administra-
ton.
According to Howard o. Hunter.
regional Federal Emergency Relief
administrator, this will amount to
at least $4O,00O,O0O I'm the next year.
When Mr. Hunter addressed the Leg
islature recently he gave out the ulti-
matum that unless Minnesota enacted
legislation meeting the federal gov
ov~ e kov hn ;nR
administration would cut off it re-
Lief contributions to the state after
March 1.
Battle RACES on Floor.
When Rep. Anderson asked suspen-
sion of the rules to pass the 81 ,OOO,O0
bill, and was Joined by other conserva-
tives, liberal battlers leaped to their
feet. The fight was on
Conservatives insisted that the
drouth measure would be passed at
farmers in the drouth areas, and that
the remaining $1O,OOO.0 900 in relief ap-
preparations should be delayed until
an investigation is made Of the en-
tire administration of relief in the
state.
Liberals argued that worthwhile
investigation Of the relief setup could
not be completed in a short time, that
delay in the adoption of the admin
istration bill would jeopardize the
whole federal aid program, and that
delay on the larger appropriation
would work a hardship on many thou
sands Of people outside of the drouth
area who are dependent on relief.
Lead Conservative Fight.
Leaders in the fight for the con-
servatives included Rep. Anderson,
George MacKinnon of Minneapolis, L.
E. Brophy Of Minneapolis, J. r. SWEET
ger OF st. Paul, Harry l.. Wahlstrand
OF Willmar, and Mrs. Hannah Kemp
fer Of Erhard. The liberals end Of
the debate was led by Rep. Harold
Barker OF Elbow Lake, Lewis Herfin-
dahl Of Benson, Carl J. Eastvold Of
Ortonville, Roy Wier Of Minneapolis.
and others,
AS the debate ragged on It became
apparent that the conservatives would
not be able to muster the SO votes
two thirds-necessary for passage Of
the bill under suspension Of the rules
One notable detection was that Of Rep.
r. J. JulkOwski of Minneapolis, who
voted with the conservatives on or
ganization. He opposed the move out
spokenly.
Finally roll call on the Anderson
motion was averted when Rep. Henry
Horwitz, conservative, Of St. Paul,
moved an adjournment, after loud
cries Of roll CALI had filled the
chamber A roll call on the motion
to adjourn brought II votes for adj
journment. On this test the conserv-
atives were far short OF the required
SO votes and II behind the vote they
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