The Jasper news., 1915-04-01
SUMMARY OF LEGISLATION EN-.
4 ACTED BY MISSOURI GEN.
ERAL ASSEMBLY.
LAND BANK BILL is PASSED
Over 1900 Bills Introduced, but Less
4 Than 200 Become Laws-con-
tract systcm at Penten.
Fl tIary to BE Abolished.
Jefferson City,

NOlS 1t tOl III lilC LtsCl IldL IllC
wet and dry issues were considered
more important by some members of
the forty-eighth Missouri general as
sembly than constructive measures,
the railroads would have been given
fair and equitable legislation regard
ing rates, and the code of Missouri
would have been revised to such an
extent that this state could boast of
having the best statutes in the coun-
try.
r These two measures are the more
important ones that have fallen at
the hands CT the obStructionlsts.
The great majority cf the much need
ed legislation was granted, and the
members Of the assembly can return
to their homes without having to
blush fer their actions.
Prison Bill Passed.
But as to tho most important of the
bills considered By the late assembly
there is not much room for argument
as to that place being occupied. by
the legislation to abolish the contract
system from the state peniteotiary
The salient features Of the law as
passed are that no contracts for pris-
on labor can be extended beyond De-
cember 81, 1916.
The present contracts will expire
December 81 of this year. The
board of prison inspectors shall be
composed of the attorney general
state auditor and state treasurer.
The state-controlled Irvine plant is
to be enlarged and new state-owned
manufacturing plants are to be in
stalled at once.
The state institutions are required
under the bill to purchase all posi-
BILE supplies from these plants.
A superintendent of industries is
to be employed to supervise the
work in the state-controlled plants
and his salary is not to exceed $5,-
600.
At no time can more than half of
the inmates of the penitentiary be
leased to outside contractors.
Gardner Land Bank Bill.
The bill for constitutional amend.
ment, known as the Rural Credit Law,
ppoloolC SOl rlSu ~. HdIuueI VI
st. Louis, which passed both houses,
is undoubtedly q true specimen of ad
vanced legislation. 1t seeks to make
1t possible for tillers of the soil to
become more Independent, by pro
viding for state aid in making long
loans at low rates of interest. 1t will
have tendency to send many thous
ands back to the soil'' If they desire
to go, as provision has been made
for the landless man to at last OWE
his own place. Col. Gardner has
made study of conditions at home
and abroad and his plan embodies
the features found good elsewhere
and eliminates the Objectionable
During the session 1,O74 bills were
introduced in the house and GIG were
read in the senate. The members o
the legislature worked 81 days. The
general assembly was to close Tues
day, when the SEVENTEEN day wa
reached, and the lawmakers since
that time have received but 81 da!
for their compensation.
Major Signs Fire Rating Bill.
The members of the legislature cal
point with pride to the passage o
the fire insurance rating bill. 1t wa!
one OF the important measures advo
Gated by the administration and wa
signed by Gov. Major. For perio
of more than four years the fire In
surance conditions in this state hav
been chaotic.
The assembly passed what wa
known as the Oliver law and this &C
caused no end Of turbulency in the in
surance field. Two years later the Or
law was enacted and through this &C
the insurance companies retired iron
the state; the insurers declining I
write policies under the Orr law. ]
was only through much diplomac,
that they consented to renew thei
business relations with the popert
owners of Missouri. The fire insuranc
rating law, which is known as tn
Watson bill, is expected to be one G
the most equitable rating laws tina
mas ever been passed in this country
Insurance commissioners from man
states have written to State Superb
Eendent of Insurance Charles G. Rev
ellie that in their opinion the Missoul
law should be copied in every stat
IN the Union.