St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1946-11-15

OF COnpTe0eU-
sive program that anticipates the
states needs for the next biennium
and suggests the means with which
to meet those needs. At this par
ticular point, when the states finan-
cial requirements far exceed pros
pective revenues, the Importance Of
competent andresourceful executive
leadership looms ever larger.
In meeting this tremendous chal-
lenge, Youngdahl is assured Of
overwhelming support in both
houses of the legislature. Fifty
new faces will be among the 1913
members Of the legislature when it
eOnvenes in January, but leadership
and majority control remain firmly
in the hands of the conservatives.
On Saturday of this week the con-
sentative group will meet in st.
Paul at the call Of Roy E. Dunn,
majority house leader. YOungdahl
has been invited to attend, a move
regarded as unprecedented in legis-
lative proceedings. Dunn expects
that 90 Of the 1871 house members
will attend the caucus, which will
most likely vote TO reflect Lawr-
ence Hall as speaker Of the house
and will then turn TO the business
of planning a financial program.
The liberal opposition group
has become more and more dis
organized and demOTaliEed since
1899. II suffered further losses
in last weeks election, but its
voice will not be wholly lost in
the next session. There Is talk Of
a vigorous effort to bring to-
gether all the liberal members,
regardless Of how few there may
be, and develop 4 positive pro-
gram around which they can
rally in the form of a loyal OPP
position"
Defeat of the amendment to the
Minneapolis city charter which
would have enabled the city to
establish a public housing authority
is not likely to deter efforts on the
part of proponents of state enabl-
ing legislation from seeking the
enabling act in the next session.
The amendment failed by about
5000 votes to obtain the required
60 per cent. Backers of the amend
ment believe its defeat was due to
the fact that a concentrated last
minute opposition campaign con-
fused and frightened many voters
and that, as a result, the issue was
not defeated on its merits.
The battle over the state bonus
is beginning to take shape. Uni
versity of Minnesota veterans
staged a rally last week and strong
words Of support and opposition
were aired. The rally heard details
Of compromise" plan which is
likely to be given serious considera-
ton by the legislature. This plan
would offer SIS for each month Of
service, up to $500 maximum. The
bonus would be paid in non-trans-
ferRble certificates that could be
cashed during the next 10 years
for payment Of state income and
real estate taxes, motor vehicle
licenses, purchase of taX-forfeit
lands, and payment on veterans
health, accident and disqualification
policies set up under a special law.
Last weeks election results
over the nation made il clear
that, IL Harold StAssen Is to get
the Republican Presidential nom.
nation. he will have to find some
way Of blocking the bid Of Gov
ernOr Thomas Dewey Of New
York. Dewey'S impressive vic
tory, by the largest margin ever
given a Republican governor Of
the state. makes him the most
formidable contender for the
nomination. The sweep Of the
Thye-YOungdahl ticket, in Min
nesOtR and the triumph of Stas-
sen-suppOrted candidates else
where were hailed by loyal Stas-
sen followers as adding to his
stature, but Dewey's strategic
advantage Is acknowledged by
most observers.
| Minnesota's Republican Con
gresham, Harold Knutson, is Ger,
tain to become one of Washington
storm eenters when Congress re,
conveneS in January. Republican
control of the house means Knut.
son will be chairman Of the ex,
tremely important ways and means
committee, which originates all tar
laws. Knutson for months has in,
sisted that a Republican victory
would mean a 20 per cent reduction
in l947 personal income taxes
Such a reduction would be part Of
drastic economy wave, leading
to sharp curtailment in all depart.
mental budgets. Observers are zen,
orally agreed that a 20 per cent
tax cut is unlikely, but that con.
sentative pressure may result In
a downward revision Of perhaps II
per cent.