Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1915-02-26
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LEGISLATIVE NOTES. :.

The Legislature has this session 425
bills less than were filed up to and
including the fortieth day of the last
session. At the session two years ago
l ,069 bills had been filed at the end
of the fortieth day as compared with
644 at this session.
Among the novel bills filed is one
by Senator Brown, the purpose of
which is to get the British Columbia
government to establish a three-mile
zone along the international boun-
dairy in which liquor may not be sold
With the Washington prohibition law
going into effect bootlegging. it is de-
clared, would be minimized by such a
zone across the boundary.
Another bill that many speak Of
as partaking of freakish nature is
one introduced by Senator Wells pro-
posing a constitutional amendment
to allow the governor to appoint SUI
preme court judges for 1S-year terms
with retirement provision at the age
of 70.
Due to newer demands for relief
from the burdensome practices OF
some Of the public utility corporations
Of the state, the work of the grain
inspection department will likely be
shifted to the state agricultural de-
partment, where it properly belongs.
The biennial proposition to remove
the state capital from Olympia was
submitted this session by Senator
Hutchinson of Spokane, but is not
taken at all seriously. The bill pro-
, vides that the capital shall be located
somewhere within twenty miles OF
Seattle, and leaves the exact site to
be determined by submission Of the
question to the people.
=
Abolishing the direct initiative and
making Is per cent of voters sigma
lures instead of 10 necessary for ini-
tiating laws to the legislature is the
purport of House Bill No. 212. It is
sponsored by the Republican organi-
zation's privileges and elections COM
mittee and is in line with the organi-
zatior's other plans to clip the wings
of the direct legislation reform.
The apportionment Of the road
fund-which is the biggest melon the
legislature will slice-will be held in
allegiance until the closing days of the
session. The disposition of the fund
was held back for two reasons, one
being that it was feared the appor-
tionment would produce antagonism
and bitterness in the smoothly work
ing legislative organization, but prin-
|cipally as club to hold recalcitrant
members in line. 1t is considered
certain that many parts of the state
will want a great deal more road
money than in the nature Of things
can be apportioned in those direc-
tions. The statesmen who will make
the apportionment also want plenty
of time to investigate the needs of
every district and hear all those ask
ing for road help.
Two large plants, one at Belling-
ham and the other at Port Stanley,
for the commercial use of kelp in
the manufacture of potash for ferti-
lizer and other products, will begin
extensive operations Immediately
after the close of the legislature il the
bill authorizing the state to lease
kelp lands is passed. According to
estimates made by Land Commits
sioner Clark v. Savidge there are
about 500 tons of kelp land capable OF
yielding an annual crop of 100000
tons in the state. 1t is thought this
annual product is worth 100000.
Smiths island has the most extensive
beds, with possibility of yield OF
100000 tons annually. Other large
beds are located on the American
shore of the strait of Juan de Fuca,
San Juan island, Admiralty Head and
Point Roberts and on Puget Sound
from Port Townsend to Olympia.