The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-02-28
LEGISLATURE HAS MUCH WORK AHEAD Calendars in Both Houses
 Are Crowded SOME OF THE BILLS Compulsory Education Is Important Subject Which Will Be Given
 Consideration During the
 Present Week
By BERRYMAN G. BETTY

Montgomery, February 27.-(Special.)-It is doubtful if any legislature of Alabama was ever confronted with as much work on the thirtieth day of it's session as the present state lawmakers will have before them when the two houses convene on next Wednesday.
 Both the senate and house calendars are overwhelmed with bills, many of them being of the most general importance The large majority of them, however, are bills of local nature, but so much time will be consumed in disposng of all oi these measures that this business alone will probably run the session up to X days, with a number of important bills then on the calendar for action on the part of the legislature.
 Apart from the Smith regulation bill which has been set for special order on next Thursday, there are other impor- tant measures to come up this week, some of which are expected to cause some of the liveliest debates that have taken place in the legislature during the present ses- sion.
 Back Tax Commissioners oiC VI tiC iHdtttTS DelOT6 tHc mousse this week is bill seeking to abolish the office of county back tax commissioners That there will be fight on this bill is rot doubted It is known that some of the most influential members of the house are opposed to the back tax commission CTS, while other prominent legislators are determined to fight to have them retained
 The latter members have the support of the state tax commission, as well as the administration, and when the meas ure is called up a lively fight is antici- pated. A strong effort was made on the part of the state tax commissioners to de- feat the bill when it was debated before the judiciary committee, at which time Alex Walker, chairman of the state tax commission, made an earnest plea in be- half of the county tax commissioners.
 MT. Walker declared that the abolition of the office of. county tax commissioners would seriously affect the work of the state office, which he represented as be- ing largely dependent upon the county officee. He showed that the receipts of the state for the last few years had been largely augmented by the service rem Gered by the county commissioners. and declared that if the office were abolished it would seriously detract from the work of the state tax commission.
 The debate on the bill when it comes up in the house. therefore, is expected to precipitate lively fight, which may con- tinue for several hours.
 Compulsory Education
 Another measure to come up for con- sideration in the house this week Is Representative Merrills bill providing for compulsory education. The measure is not regarded of as strict nature as some of the bills that have been in troduced on the subject at previous ses- sions of the legislature, though, on the whole, it is a compulsory measure, and 1t is expected to bring on warm fight when it comes up for passage.
 The bill makes a few exceptions in respect to school attendance. These ex- captions apply, however, only to chil- dren whose parents are absolutely de- pendent upon. them for support. and 10 others who are physically unable to at tend school.
 The bill provides that children who do not attend school shall have written permit from some officer appointed for the specific purpose or excTclSHi6 cCh- sorship over scholars not wishing to attend, and embraces many other im- portant provisions. The bill is regard ed by many as a rather conservative mea sure, though sufficient in latitude to precipitate a lively fight
 Other Measures
 Other important bills are also on the two calendars, some of them calling for large appropriations for school pur- poses. These bills will bring on a fight when they come up for passage, and 1t is thought that several days may be consumed in considering the appropria- tion measures alone.
 The revenue bill Is still in the hands of the ways and means committee of the two houses, and just when this measure will come up, or what will De the final disposition of the bill, is a matter about which few profess to have any knowledge. There can be no doubt that 1t is one of the most important issues-the biggest issue. in fact, after the regulation bill has been passed-of the present session, and much interest Is being taken in the numerous features of the bill.
 Should there be a split session, 1t is possible that the bill will not be dis posed of, in toto. until the legislature re-convenes next summer. The possi- bility of split session, however, Is very slim just at this time, and it is believed that the two legislative bodies will not adjourn until the fiftieth day, in which event the revenue bill will probably he