Using drupal-7.x-dev.tar.gz of 2011-09-09

I am creating a module, creating a new contenttype which I populate with nodes in the *.install file.
Seems there is no possibility to set the publishing-, display-, comment- or menu-options before populating with nodes without "hacking" the core.

I think this should be a part of options like $node->comment, $node->promote and $node->sticky is.
If not you have to hack the core I think.

Or do anyone else know a another way?