The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1915-03-11
LEGISLATURE
NEARING CLOSE

Olympia.-Both houses of the state
legislature started out Monday on the
final week of the session with their
calendars clear and it was generally
accepted that the big work of the ses-
sion was finished and only matters of
minor interest would be given serious
consideration during the closing days.
Both branches Saturday adopted a
resolution declaring that no new bust
ness would be taken up after 10 p. IN.
on March II. After that time bill
must have passed one house before
it could be considered by the other.
Perhaps the most interesting hap
pening in legislative circles during the
past week was the decision of the
state supreme court that the legisla-
ture lacked authority to attach an
emergency clause to a bill to forestall
a possible referendum unless the meas
ure were in fact necessary for the
immediate preservation of the public
peace, health or safety, support the
state government or its existing insti-
tutions." This decision it was gener-
ally believed would give Governor Lis
ter a decided advantage in his differ
ences with the organization in both
houses.
No Liquor Legislation Likely.
No further attempt will be made to
enact liquor legislation at the present
session of the state legislature. This
fact was made certain when Represen
tative Halsey of Asotin county, dry
leader in the house, was successful in
having tabled substitute house bill 179
by a vote of 4S to AZ The bill, which
came up as a special order of busi-
ness, demonstrated that the vets were
in a hopeless minority.
After the bill had been tabled wet
pass any measure which would in any
way modify initiative No. 3, and as a
result no further attempt will be made
to secure any liquor legislation at this
session, it was announced.
Sharpstein Party Plan Abandoned.
No attempt was made by the house
to put on final passage the Sharpstein
bill allowing political conventions to
indorse candidates before the pri-
mary. After watching the house de-
bate his convention BILL Sharpstein
asked the leaders to kill off the meas
ure Immediately in spite of its passage
through the senate. The rules COM
mittee acceded to the suggestion and
the bill will get no further.
The Whitney bills and the initiative
restrictions will thus complete the re-
publican political program.
The Whitney election bill legalizing
county and state conventions and
pledging all candidates to support
their party platforms, already passed
by the senate was passed by the house
with amendments, by vote of n to
Is. The amendments provide caucuses
instead of primaries in May of each
even numbered year, to select dele
gates to the county conventions, which
in turn select delegates to the state
convention.
The bill prohibiting initiative and
referendum petition circulation, al
ready passed by the house, was pass
ed by the senate by bare two-thirds
majority, 2S to IA, every republican
except Iverson voting for the measure
and every democrat and progressive
voting no. The bill applying the same
requirements to recall petitions pass
ed 80 to 9 and both measures were
placed before Governor Lister.
Governor Becomes Aggressive.
In contrast with the policy OF watch
full waiting that he has assumed early
in the session, Governor Lister took
the aggressive, and in an open letter
TO the Employers association of Wash
ington practically served notice that
he would veto the Kleeb 'firstaid"
bill if passed by the house.
On this commission the governor
named three representative employers
and bad faith has been charged by the
governors supporters against employ
ers for departing from an alleged tacit
agreement that the commission bill
should be supported.
Senate Amends Compensation Law
The senate amended the workmen's
compensation act in manner design
ed 20 make it more easily operated and
mere effective.
As passed the bill shows the follow
ing remedial and amendatory proyi-
sions:
Recurring that when an industrial
plant begins operation for the first
time or after a suspension of opera
tion. its manager shall give notice to
the industrial insurance commission
before starting up: permitting the
loaning and lending of money between
accident funds of the various classes
of industries to meet excessive needs
- lie part OF particular funds; reduc-
ing the lump sum payment OF annui-
hes to injured workmen or to their