Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1939-03-23
Voice From Senate
BY SEN. C. ELMER JOHNSON,
From Pine and Chisago Counties

Legislation the past week has been
almost at standstill. Only local
bills have been under consideration
on the floor of the Senate. The ses-
sion will end April 10 and there is
grave doubt about passing any i'm
portant legislation.
Administration Forces Close In.
The political machine is closing in
on the various state departments
much as the NaZi regime closes in
on the Balkans. There is sense of
insecurity among employees and a
hopeless assignment to impending
calamity as department after de-
partment feels the victors' crushing
heel. The Department of Rural Credit
under Mr.. Arens, had done very
well considering how it was ham
pered by legislative restrictions and
considering also the scandalouS meth
DDS under which that department had
been set up and handled up to the
removal and conviction of a former
secretary Mr.. Flowers. Conservation
ArenS took over a mighty bad mess
and had gone long way to salvage
the remainder of the unfortunate
venture. Replacing him with Mr..
Jones, politician, Republican Chair
man of Hennepin county, and real
estate mortgage representative of
large insurance firm, is an indication
OF ruthless system. The pressure
for jobs from party workers is ter
rife and something must be done to
satisfy those who helped win the
election
The Department of Agriculture has
been StaSSeniZed and we find Mr..
Trovatten, Tighe and Steve Calder
occupying the chairs made vacant
by removing such men as Ommodt,
Haage and Selvig. We have a situa-
ton where the department serving
Minnesota's greatest and most import
ant industry has become political
football. If Civil Service law had
been enacted in the last session, some
trained employees would have been
saved from the spoilsman's AK and
departmental efficiency need not have
been sacrificed for party favors. The
State Department of Agriculture has
been operating under a merit system
and the inspectors have been selected
after passing competitive eXamina-
tons. The attorney generals advice
was sought and he ruled that state
oil inspectors might be removed and
only eX-serVice men would have any
rights of appeal.
Labor Relations Law.
Selecting fair, just, board with
duties and powers to coordinate,
assist and encourage good, wholesome
relationship between employees, en-
ployers and the public would be a
wonderful accomplishment. I do not
see much hope of passing fair Labor
Relations law this session. There is
too wide difference of opinion. If
we expect reasonably effective just
law, we must go to work with an
unbiased attitude not pro or anti
labor and not with the idea of Great
ing bureau for its political signi-
ficance. Of the bill recommended by
the House Committee, Senator Gal
vim said, at appears to be probably
one of the most harmony wrecking
bills ever presented to the State
Legislature-It seems to be a bill
which cannot under any interpreta-
ton create anything but bitterness
and strife"
Range Tax Limitation.
A number of public hearings have
been held on a bill which would limit
the levy for towns, villages and
schools in the Range territory. 1t
seems that during the better years,
the people in ST. Louis county with
the approval and assistance of min
ing company officials, made extrava-
CANT improvements. In later years,
that situation is being corrected
With the mines in operation, only
part time, and with new labor saw
ing machinery, there is great suffer-
ing from unemployment in the Range
cities.
1fc o1a fnI Il