Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1946-09-20
MINNESOTA
POLITICAL
ROUNDUP
BY Arthur Naftalin

tions. But they are fearful that
over-confdence may dull the enthu-
siasm and viRor Of the campaign. |
Speakers addressing the state con-
vention in Minneapolis last week |
warned that a lull in campaign eff
forts could result in some election |
surprises. Proceedings Of the con-
vention made II clear that i'm
pOrtant issues before the 1947 leg |
islature will include public housing, |
state bonus for veterans, reappOr- |
tionment of the legislature, rees-
tablishment Of party designation
in legislative elections, state f.
nances, the anti-secOndary boycott,
and the sales tax.
With the November election
only seven weeks away, the COP
convention came at a time when
1t could do the most TO arouse
Tank-and-file interest. In this re-
spect the Republicans hold an ad-
vantage over the DemOcrat-Farmer-
Laborites whose convention was
last April. Party leaders always
hNAH ~ NNbAN W DhEhANt WI hWA
interest over a long period Of time.
Thus, a convention at this point
Is an effective means to rally the
party's forces.
Harold Barker, the DFL nOmi-
nee for governor, has come out
openly for a state bonus for SOL
diers. He proposes that 1t be f.
nanced by increased taxes on iron
ore. In a campaign address, Barker
charged that taxes on high grade
iron ore have been reduced by $751;
00O,0O0 and that these decreases
are responsible for the states "con-
fused and unsatisfactory situation"
Barker has also been hitting the
housing problem. He asserts that
Governor Thye has failed to set up
a successful housing program and
demands that the governor can
eel contracts Of companies that fail
to convert state timber into lumber
for housing.
The Minnesota COP is making an
extremely active bid to get the
veterans vote. The drive Is being
staged by a newly-formed Mime
sofa COP Veterans League, affili-
ated with a national group. Min
nesota leaders of the group, how
ever, are suspicious of the national
auspices, and openly charge that il
is controlled by World War vet
Grams. What is behind the Mime
sOtans' opposition to the national
leadership is their desire to make
certain that Harold Stassen gets
fair break from the national COZ
veterans leadership, when Presiden,
tial nominations are considered
Municipal officials are franticallN
attempting to develop a program
for action by the state Legislature
that will give their cities and vii
lagos some much-needed financial
relief. The League of Minnesota
Municipalities is holding its regu
lar regional meetings in various
parts of the state, and at eacl
meeting the main discussion is OF
revenues. Among proposals serious
ly considered are new cigare
tax Of two cents per package
doubling the state liquor tax. ant
an increase in the gross earning
taxes on utilities, with the cite
and villages sharing in the new in
come.
: A firm warning to operators o
n municipally-Owned liquor store
4 was issued last week by Publ
r Examiner Richard A. Golling. In
yestiGatOrs have found, GollinI
I stated, many cases Of reckless
n handling Of cash. He said tina
| records Of the stores were gen
r orally scrambled and that careless
y ness was rampant. Liquor stor
|, sales have become the main sourc
of revenue for large number o
: Minnesota communities. In 1914
n 1875 liquor stores reported tOts
8 sales Of $l0,929,577. GollinR urge
d that the legislature tighten up law
It governing liquor store sales.
d There was a lot Of political eH
citement down in Dodge count
last week. Dry for many years, III
b. county voted on legalizing sale {
!, liquor. The drys won by 16 vote
= with better than 1000 cast. r,
ports are that supporters Of lega
lied sale are preparing for anothC
: ballot as soon as IL can be arrange,
n.
Y, The housing shortage has hit II
in University Of Minnesota and Il
nd state colleges with a fury that
m confounding officials of the school
The University is expecting an u
,u precedented enrolment Of 27,0O
Of which nearly so per cent will
70 from outside the Twin Cities.
at campaign is being carried on no
n. to find I 200 rooms for single me
60 1000 for married couples, and 81
m for single women.
al
r. Harold Stassen is going abroa
re-. He announces that he will lea
n next February to visit in Euro
and learn first hand" Of condition
there.
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