The Sauk Centre herald., 1937-02-11
News Behind The News
BY Senator Vim Weber


Sauk Centre Herald. There's going
to be fireworks in the State House
of Representatives as result of
the statement made two weeks ago
by Rep. Wier, Farmer-Laborite, Of
Hennepin that "it is common
knowledge that a huge fund is be-
ing raised by the liquor interests to
fight the State Dispensary Bill"
The House leadership was purely
in a quandry, and especially so after
three conservatives introduced a
resolution calling for an investiga-
ton Of the charges and a sift into
alleged liquor lobbying. There were
many conferences on the part of
Farmer-Labor leaders behind clos
ed doors. To defeat the investiga-
ton resolution would mean that
both Wier and his excellency were
without proof of their claims and
to pass it might mean a boomerang
that would carry it's verberations
into the next campaign.
The investigating committee ap-
pointed by Speaker Barker Is COM
prised of three Farmer-Laborites
and two conservatives. If white
wash is required the committee has
the power to apply the brush. But
the people of the state will not be
fooled. They will watch every move
carefully and If there is any "fun-
ny business" on the part of the ma
jority in the House to hold back
concrete information it Is going to
be just too bad for the party in
power. The news behind the news
is to the effect that Wier will be
the lamb on the sacrificial altar.
80
The House Committee on Public
Domain on Wednesday had rather
hectic meeting on the so-called
Stockwell bill, which would put a
state into the electrical business
and eventually in debt to the tune
Of two hundred and fifty millions.
The bill would provide for voting
on a Constitutional amendment to
make such a State Plant possible.
The bill may meet with success be-
cause there are those, who although
vigorously opposed to the state go
ing into any sort of business, may
vote for popular referendum. But,
it is our guess that once the elect
crate has knowledge of the great
expenditure involved, that they will
turn thumbs down in no uncertain
manner.
Farmers of Minnesota who are
endangered by mortgage foreclos-
ures will be pleased to learn that
their interests will again be consid-
cred. Senate on Thursday, in COM
mittee of the whole, unanimously
recommended to pass a Mortgage
Moratorium extension bill The bill
as recommended in the Senate is
identical with that passed two years
ago, except that it clarifies certain
provisions. Under the old law there
was no provision for any official
determining whether default exist
ed. The amendment, which was ap-
proved, places the matter in the
hands of the court.
ss*
School Boards who have not
cared to let the taxpaying public
know the financial condition of
their schools, will hereafter be COM
PEELED to give the taxpayers this
necessary information If bill
passed in the House Wednesday
meets with similar action in the
Senate Heretofore is has not been
required by law to publish finan-
cial statements of Independent
school districts, and as a result
the taxpayer has had no way in
which to inform himself of the
financial status of the district,
without making a trip to the
Clerks office to examine the
records. Publication of financial
statements of any public body is a
duty. The taxpayer should, as a
matter Of decency, be provided with
full knowledge of where his tax
dollar goes. To fail to publish
annual accountings could well be
looked upon with suspicion and