The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-02-21

Montgomery February 20.-(Special)- The legislature of Alabama grinds as slowly as the mills of the gods.
 The present sitting began on January 10. The two houses of the legislature have worked on all average of four days a week, and on an average of between four and six hours day.
 Each house has been exceedingly busy. There have been many debates to which the people have listened in person or through the press with interest practically uncomfortable.
 But very little, up to the present time, has been accomplished. Business known as finished business is that which has been acted upon by both branches of the legislature and has received the approval of the governor.
 The finished business which the legisla- ture has accomplished in five weeks, or s working days, Is shown above.
 Of that business, very few of the bills are of great importance, that Is. state wide importance. Many are local bills. Several relate to code changes made nces- eary by exigencies of the moment.
 Of importance are the bills increasing the salary of the governor and providing for the construction of a mansion for the governor, establishing commission to combat the boil weevil, and establish ing a commission of agriculture, the purpose of which was to further protect Alabama crops and to instruct the farmers in modern and approved methods.
 The state as whole could forego the effects of all other accomplished leg islation and be. comparatively speaking, the looser of very little material profit, There is. difference of opinion as to why more work has not been accomplished. fhe local optionists contend that the pro- hibitionists and the independents have blocked legislation. The prohibitionists and independents claim that the local cptionists have blocked legislation In order that the Parks bill might be put through. Others contend that the legislature. de- termined to proceed wisely and careful ly. Is making haste slowly, and prophecy that less work of the present legislature will be proved unconstitutional than that of any other legislature.
 Whatever may be the truth, 1t remains that in five weeks the legislature has done very little. Soon. however. bills. which have passed one house or the other, will be sent pell mell to the governor. Secre- tary McNeel stated this morning that on the last day of the last sitting of the legislature of Governor Conner that chief executive signed 169 bills. The same rush on the final day may occur this year.
 Split Session Expensive
 Secretary Herbert of the house figures that the state, in case there occurs a split session, will be put to- an additional and probably needless expense of be- tween $10,O0O and $12,000.
 It has been pointed out, while the ms jority of the members of the legisla ture wants split session on account ot the spring terms of the courts and the coming of the planting season. on ac- count of the little work that has been accomplished and the great amount which still Is to be attended to, there Is little probability of recess.
 The extra expense is another item which is demanding consideration.
 Secretary Herbert figures that in milo- age alone the split session would cos, the state practically 5000 There art 106 members of the house, s4 members of the senate and two clerks The tray.
 
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