The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-30
Numerous Matters of Ma tiOn Wide Interest Will Be
 Taken Up
MANY REFORM BILLS
 TO BE INTRODUCED
Illinois Legislature Is Considerably Wisconsin to Take U "a Problem of Social Better SC
 ment-Other Measures

1 eitV i- iAiidhiC NtSbtlu Sldlt SC 1ts islatures meet in regula, ion be- ginning early next month h United States senators to be e) under the i first democratic states .. illustration in 20 years, with a band of 26 legisla : tors from the progressive party fight ing republicans and democrats and no party holding a majority in either house or on joint ballot, it seems cer- tain that the 18th general assembly 1 s will become one of the most notable that has met at Springfield.
 l Not only is a deadlock in connection with the senatorships almost cer- tainty in Illinois but bitter contest over organization of the legislature. which may delay the regular work ot the session for weeks, is said to be im- minent +
 Wisconsin Is Next
 l Wisconsin probably will attract the next greatest attention by the work of 1 its legislature. Wisconsin has mapped out comprehensive programme of "so- 1 cial betterment" legislation for the year 1913, far in advance of other states in the middle west, if not in tife coun- l try Efforts to establish a system of rural credits to aid farmers, a sys- tenn of land colonization that will make possible the "back to the land" move- ment for the man with little money; a mothers pensions plan and a minimum wage bill are a few of the measures i that will be considered
 Besides Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, Me- braskas South Dakota, Minnesota and Kansas each will elect a United States senator. Indiana, Missouri and Wis eonsin will not elect senator. Indications point to the election from these seven states of four republican senators, at least two, and possibly tliree- --eiemoerats and one prorresstye. 1 Illinois may choose two democrats or name one democrat and a republican, or other party member, to fill the short term opened by the refusal of tho United States Senate to consider Will liam Lorimer's election valid.
 In Michigan, despite rumors of a com bination against him, William Alden smith, republican, has declared that he Is certain of election. Iowa is slated to return to Washington William S Kenyon, republican. Nebraska, unless the unexpected happens will name George w. Norris, progressive. In South Dakota, Thomas Sterling, republican primary nominee, may be opposed by Senator Robert G. Gambill In Minne- sota the return of Senator Knute Nal- son seems assured. In Kansas it is ex- pected that Judge W. H. Thompson democrat, will be elected to succeed Senator Charles Curtis.
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 In Ohio Governor elect James Knox will attempt to limit the legislature session to 90 days. Acts for the val idation of the new Ohio constitution will take up much of the time of the legislators.
 In Indiana the legislature Is expect ed to be involved in a fight by the Taggart faction of democrats to elect speaker.
 Concord, N. H., December 29.-Re- adjustment of taxation methods, es- pecially with regard 10 intangible prop erty, will be given much attention at this session of the New Hampshire log islature. The federal income tax amend ment railroad rate regulation and re- striction of water power development also will be considered.
 <Au6 uotd, htss IOtttIHDtI EJ-Regu- lation of the development of the vast hydro-electric power latent in the large area of lakes and streams in the state of Maine, will be proposed in measures to be submitted to the leg islature at Its session which opens Jan uary l, 1913. Some of the members seek to have legislation enacted which will prohibit the transmission of such power to points outside the state.
 
 Albany, N. Y, December 2g-Among the important subjects with which the newly elected democratic state legis- lature is expected to deal are conser- vation. worlSmens compensation, re- organization of the state highway de- pertinent which will have charge of the expenditure of another S50,000, ,0O0 for the improvement of the states highways, amendments to the direct primary and election laws, and stock exchange reforms. The party is pied ged to enact legislation to bring about an early constitutional convention to con- slider woman's suffrage and other inn portant questions. The legislature will convene on Wednesday.
 Harrisburg. Pa, December 29.-All po- litical parties in Pennsylvania expect to present much important legislation to the general assembly which meets Janu- ary '. Bills have been prepared by these parties or by commissions created by the legislature providing for a public service commission for the regulation of all public service corporations; pro- hibiting the sale of fraudulent stock regulating hours of labor for women and children; employers liability and workmens' compensation acts; codifica- ton and revision of the revenue election and anthracite mine laws; woman suf- rage; election of United States senators by the people; proposition for a eonsti- tutional convention; regulating campaign contributions and revision of the laws relating to public charities.
 Boston, December 29.-Among the lead ing problems which the Massachusetts legislature of 1913 is expected to consider are the further development and super vision of railroad and street railway transportation. the federal income tax; woman suffrage: the initiative and ref erendum and election of a successor to Senator w. Murray Crane
 Hartford, Conn. December 29.-The chief measures that will come before the biennial session of the connecti-
 
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