The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-08
WADUCT BILL IS
 PASSED BY HOUSE Vote on the Measure Was
 65 to 12 SPRAGINS' BILL WINS Provides for Extension of Terms of Appellate Court Judges to Six Years-Routine Work in
 the House
By BERRYMAN q. BETTY

Nontgomery. April 7.-(speciaL)-The Morrow bill, providing that every city in the state of 100000 population or more may construct viaducts or bridges or sub ways across railroads and contiguous lands within the city limits was passed In the house this afternoon by vote Of 60 TO L. The viaduct bill, while general In nss,,re, applies only to Birmingham, and the principal discussion on the bill was by the Jefferson delegation.
 Several attempts were made to amend the bill in the house. though, and every effort met with failure. The first amend ment was offered by MT. Barnard, who wished to have the question of construct ing viaducts and bridges submitted to the people rather than place this authority in the hands of city authorities. Amend merts were also offered by MT. O'Neil, but these were promptly tabled by the house, and the bill was passed with little oppo- sition.
 The Spragins amendment to the appel late court act, providing that the term of the judges of this court shall be six years was passed in the house late this afternoon, the passage of the measure cre- ating more debate than any bill during the afternoon. The bill was called up by MT. Knight and the fight for the passage of the bill was lead by Representatives Null key James, Rice and others. MT. Mer- ritt lead the opposition.
 Ono of the important measures passed at the afternoon session was the Arnold bill, providing for the creation of board of trustees for the government and con trol of the several state normal schools for whites and for the making and enforcing of a course of study for the state normal schools. The bill provides that the board of tustees shall consist of the governor and state superintendent of educatron, and one member from the boards of each of the seceral normal schools in the state. This board is given control and super vision of all the normal schools; has au- thority to regulate the course of study and has other powers in connection with these institutions.
 The bill by Senator Fite providing a general maintenance fund of s20,0oo for each of the state normal schools, with the exceptions of the schools at Daphne and Moundville, to each of which s5000 was given was called up by MT. Jones of Monroe and passed.
 Mining Bill Passed
 The house today passed without opposi- tion the Hollis mining bill The measure was taken up as the first special order on the calendar Mir. ONeill of Jefferson of- fering his bill as substitute. The house refused to accept the substitute, but al lowed MT. O'NeHl to amend the hollis measure. With all opposition thus re- moved the bill passed the house by a vote of 70 to O.
 The Hollis bill, which regulates tte mining of coal in Alabama, has been on the house calendar for more than two months. Provision is made in the bill for strict regulation in regard to the use of explosives and to the inspection of mines. and a greater safeguard is thrown around the workmen.
 The anti-graft bill of MT Rice was tabled today within a few minutes after it was called up. The bill sought to resu- late primary elections in the state and contained provisions against the employ nnent. of assistants or workers at the polls by any candidate.
 Governor O'NeaEs commcndation in re- gard to the public school appropriation was today adopted by the house. In his message on last Wednesday the executive asked that he be given discretionary powers in the $6O0,000 appropriated to the public schools of inc state. When his message was taken up today MT. By lance explained that the governor had agreed to pay out of this fund s350,OOo for the use of the public schools and that the additional amount would be paid out at the discretion of the governor
 Appropriation bills providing funds for several normal and agricultural schools were passed in the house today, all of which carried with them an amendment in the form of rider making the pay ment of the funds discretionary with the governor.
 Session in Detail
 For the first time during the session the house was called to order at 9 o'clock, Speaker Almon in the chair The invocation was offered by the Rev MT. Avery of the house. Sixty-five members were present.
 MT. Brown of Tuscaloosa moved to take from the adverse calendar his bill approprating s5000 for the estab- lishment of a negro reformato tory school near Tuscaloosa. The motion prevailed
 On motion of MT. Pitts the house took from the table the bill providing an additional maintenance fund for the district agricultural schools.
 Mining Bill
 The first special order taken up at the morning session was the bill by