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State Capital Happenings
By PARKE KEAYS
The state treasurer has distributed $136,000 to counties as their share of gas tax collections for January.
A recent dispatch from Washington stated that branch headquarters of the federal reconstruction finance corporation will be established in Omaha.
Representatives of the American Legion from over Nebraska gathered in Lincoln last week to organize their state-wide drive to secure jobs for the unemployed.
More than 400 cars of relief supplies have been shipped into the drouth district by the state relief agency, according to Wm. H. Smith.
Governor Bryan has issued the biennial proclamation declaring that primary election is to be held in the state April 12 for the purpose of nominating certain candidates.
Governor Bryan was recently injured by a fall on the icy pavement in front of his mansion and was forced to remain in bed for several days and away from his office for more than a week. He was able to return to his office the latter part of last week.
A large door opening from the rotunda of the new capitol into the legislative hall has been opened SO that in coming weeks steel beams to be used in finishing the hall and furnitur may be admitted. It will be necessary for this equipment to be brought through the main entrance door as it is the only outside entrance to the building large enough to admit passage of the massive materials. Flags and war trophies which have been displayed in a hugh oak case in front of the inner doorway will later be moved to the rooms of the state historical society on the first floor of the capitol.
Recommendations have been made to the senate to the effect that $1,338,000 will be needed for military construction at Fort Omaha during the next six years. The war depart- ment also states that $197,000 could profitably be expended for repairs at Fort Crook.
The board of managers of the state fair met in Lincoln the latter part of last week to discuss plans for the coming fair.
The pardon board, which was in session last week, heard 16 cases. Action will be taken on them at the next meeting of the board.
The Arapahoe State bank which suspended business November 12 last year has been reorganized and recapitalized and was opened for business early last week.
The railwav commission has taken under advisement the matter of a general reduction in gravel freight rates and the absorption of switching charges. No date for decision have been announced.
Though no highway contracts were awarded during December in Nebraska, 2,400 persons were employed during the month on old highway projects, according to recent report to the president's unemployment relief organization.
The federal feed loan committee met at Norfolk recently and agreed on a uniform system for the placing of feed loans in all the drouth stricken counties in order that the efforts of the Red Cross and northeast Nebraska relief committee might be synchronized.
The department of commerce census bureau report recently published shows that Nebraska had 879,459 acres of land in organized drainage enterprises on January 1, 1930. Less than 4 per cent of the land was in arrears in payment of principal and interest on obligations at that time. The Nebraska drainage work used 1,200 miles of ditches and 93 miles of tile drainage. Capital invested was $6,847,000, or an average of about $8 per acre. The investment in 1920 amounted to only $4,588,000.
State warrants issued during January totaled $2,187,000, according to a statement of Auditor George W. Marsh. The number of warrants issued was 14,645 as compared with 14,863 issued on various funds as follows: Motor vehicle fund, $92,800; gasoline fund, $550,500; federal aid road fund, $220,738; a total of $864,000 for highway purposes. Warrants on the general fund totaled $605,00, divided as follows: Office expenses, $119,462; educational purposes, $319,946; for state institutions, $165,865.
Frank O'Connell, secretary of the game, forestation and parks commission, has reviewed the three-year program of the commission since its creation in 1929. The main achievements are the development of 22 recreational grounds, establishment of state game reserve, extensive operation in stocking and salvaging fish and maintenance of the four state parks. In 1931 the eommission expended nearly $300,000; $86,000 was used to purchase new land; $48,000 for permanent improvements; $50,000 was spent for maintenance and improvement of fish hatcheries; $20,000 for purchase of fish and game birds, and $21,000 for state parks. The chief source of revenue is the $1 hunting and fishing license. In 1931 they yielded $212,000. The commission receives no tax funds and is supported from its own earnings. At the close of the past year it had $38,000 on hand and $30,000 yet to be colllected. Its real estate is now valued at $518,000 and equipment at $56,500.
The supreme court recently ordered to issue a writ of mandamus compelling the state board of control to enter into a contract with a Nebraska dealer for light bulbs to be furnished state institutions. The board recently called for competitive bids and, although this dealer's bid was low, the board entered into a contract with another company on the grounds that previous dealings with the low bidder