The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1915-02-04
PEOPLE MAY VOTE
ON TOWNSHIP PLAN

A bill to permit the citizens to
vote on the question of retaining
the township form of government
has been introduced into the legis
lature by Senator Ed. Brown.
Considerable discussion has beer
raised over the bill in Whatcon
County. which with Spokane County,
has adopted the township plan.
The following is resume of the
work accomplished by the legisla-
ture up to date:
Olympia.-While the legislature did
It's first real legislative work during
the third week of the 60-day session
little of importance to the state at
large was accomplished.
/. The present legislature seems dis
Nposed to take things easy and does
not appear to be in any hurry to send
measures up to the governor. but is
inclined slowly and easily to enact
comparatively little legislation. Very
little encouragement was given a res
olution to end the session in 40 days
and the usual protests against FRIDAY
to.Monday adjournments have been
lacking in both houses. There is such
a small amount of business transacted
each Friday, that really during the
first three weeks there have been only
four working days.
Only two bills have passed poth
houses during the first three weeks,
these being the measures rushed
through the first day to appropriate
$1O5.OOO for expenses and printing OF
the session. The senate has passed
12 other bills, none of which have been
acted upon by the house, while the
house has passed four other bills, none
Of which have been acted upon by the
senate. None of the bills passed have
been important ones. The most I'M
portant action taken has been the in
definite postponement by the senate
of the two Palmer bills proposing to
lower the public and permanent high
way leyies. This will have the ERECT
of preventing any reductions in the
highway levies at this session, under
the rules of the senate, unless two
thirds vote can be obtained, which Is
unlikely.
II Legislation Week Behind Usual.
y That maneuvering over the liquor
question and other political chickering's
have put the present legislature at
least one week behind its usual pro-
gram is indicated by comparison or
the present record with that of the
last legislature. In the 1913 session,
aside from the appropriation bills for
legislative expenses, the first bill was
passed by the house on the eighth day
and by the senate on the 18th day. In
the present session, eliminating the
legislative expense bills, the first bill
passed by either branch was adopted
by the senate on the 18th day, while
the house did not pass its first bill
until the 18th day.
The present senate and house have
had their first calendars exactly SIX
days longer than the first calendars
Of the same houses in the last legls'
lature.
Normal School Inquiry Ordered.
With no dissenting votes in the
house. but with five mays" in the SEN
ate. the legislature adopted resolu-
tion calling for thorough investiga-
tion into the construction of new build
ings at the institution for feeble-mind-
ed at Medical Lake, and into the re-
ports that skimping was done on the
srection of the Cheney normal school.
~ Senator Nichols of King and Repre-
k,ntative Hart of Pacific were named
al the special investigating committee
with all powers to swear witnesses
and conduct thorough probe into the
charges.
Five buildings were erected for the
institution of feeble-minded at Medical
Lake recently at cost OF S230,ooo.
They were built one anu haii iiii'o'
from the site of the existing struc-
tures. adjoining which the legislature
ordered the new buildings put up. The
extra cost of placing the buildings on
the new site, without authority OF the
legislature, will run well up into five
figures. it is understood. and the SER
,ousness of this charge is fully appre-
ciated by both houses. The charge
made in connection with the construc'
t,on of the normal school at Cheney
"a that the building was not erected
according to specifications and that
there was skimping of material.
Committee Favors McArdle Bills.
Floor Leader Reeves. for the demo
Gratis. won his fight in the house when
,oint bills from the privileges ana
elections and state school and granted
lands committees were forced from
the calendar and referred to the judi
o,arv committee. This put both the
peeves bills and McArdle bills in the
hands of the judiciary committee
ttv,Oese measures abolish the state tax