St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1946-09-20
MINNESOTA
POLITICAL
ROUNDUP
By Arthur Naftalin


tons. But they are fearful that
over-eonfdence may dull the enthu-
siasm and vigor 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 1t 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-seeondary boycott,
and the sales tax.
With the November s election
only seven weeks away, the COP
convention came at a time when
it could do the most to arouse
rank-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
find It difficult to sustain workers
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 it 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;
100000 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
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, affii-
ated with national group. Min
nesOta leaders of the group, how
ever, are suspicious of the national
auspices, and openly charge that it
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
a fair break from the national COP
veterans leadership, when Presiden-
tial nominations are considered.
Municipal officials are frantically
attempting to develop a program
for action by the state legislature
that will give their cities and viii
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 each
meeting the main discussion is on
revenues. Among proposals serious
ly considered are a new cigaret
tax Of two cents per package,
doubling the state liquor tax, and
an increase in the gross earnings
taxes on utilities, with the cities
and villages sharing in the new in
come.
A firm warning to operators of
municipally-owned liquor stores
was issued last week by Public
Examiner Richard A. GOllinR. In
vestigators have found, GOlling
stated, many cases of reckless
handling Of cash. He said that
records of the stores were gen.
orally scrambled and that careless
ness was rampant. Liquor store
sales have become the main source
Of revenue for a large number of
Minnesota communities. In 1914,
lS5 liquor stores reported total
sales of $l0,929,5 SIT. Golling urged
that the legislature tighten up laws
governing liquor store sales.
There was a lot of political ex-
citement down in Dodge county
last week. Dry for many years, the
county voted on legalizing sale of
liquor. The drys won by 16 votes,
with better than 1000 cast. Re-
ports are that supporters Of legal
ICED sale are preparing for another
ballot as soon as it can be arranged.
The housing shortage has hit the
University Of Minnesota and the
state colleges with a fury that is
cOnfounding officials Of the schools.
The University is expecting an un-
precedented enrolment Of $1,000.
Of which nearly go per cent will be
from outside the Twin Cities. A
campaign is being carried on now
to find 1900 rooms for single men,
1000 for married couples, and 500
for single women.
Harold Stassen is going abroad.
He announces that he will leave
next February to visit in Europe
and learn first hand" Of conditions
there.
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