The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1915-03-05
IDAHO LEGISLATURE
PASSES MANY BILLS
PROHIBITION, EDUCATION AND
INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM
HAVE THEIR INNING.
Revenue Policy Agreed Upon Which
Is Considered New Departure
House Passes Injunction and
Abatement Law

hDly the most noteworthy accomplish
ment OF the Idaho legislature during
me past week, considerable amount
OF work was done along other lines.
among other measures acted on is
Inc educational appropriation bill. 1t
WAS passed by the senate. The finance
commlttee OF the upper house slashed
Inc appropriations SO as to save more
IMAM $l7O,OO0 under the appropriations
ior similar purposes made two years
ago
In the house a revenue policy was
agreed upon that is considered a new
departure. 1t Is proposed to reduce
taxation by limiting the levying power
or county commissioners. The new
feature is sliding scale under which
the counties OF small valuation may
make heayier leYies than the more
wealthy ones. Elasticity is given by
permitting the counties to exceed the
maximum if their requests are ap.
proved by the state board of equaliza-
ton.
Definite action was taken on reso-
luton proposing an amendment to the
constitution under which the limit of
school lands that may be sold each
yOol ID IdloSu lIOIu 20 10 lUU S6CLlOHS.
1t is now for the voters to decide on
the amendment. 1t is claimed that if
1t is passed it will materially increase
the states income and accelerate de-
velopment.
Legislation already passed by the
house for putting into effect the mi
tiative, referendum and recall was ap-
proved by the senate. The constitu-
on nj ha ca ~ 1nI -, a
to provide for the direct legislation,
but it had never been made operative
by the legislature.
Cuts in the salaries of the state Land
commissioner, register of the state
land board and members of the pub
lie utilities commission were approved
by the house. A bill to reduce the
salaries of elective officials, however,
has been so amended in the senate
that it cuts the salary of only the
state treasurer.
The house also passed the Iowa
injunction and abatement law" and
bills prohibiting the operation of slot
machines and regulating billiard, pool
and card rooms.
With only week of the session
left the general appropriation bill is
preparations committee said it is
awaiting actions on proposed salary
reductions, and combinations of state
departments.
In his message the governor de-
manded wholesale reductions along
every line. The legislature has shown
that it is by no means in sympathy
with his ideas. The governor is ex-
naofad IN upfo certain toms uybi
will be included in the bill and the
plan of the house is to hold it back
long enough so he will be prevented
from using the veto because the leg
islature proposes to adjourn l~fore it
can act second time on such items
if they are disapproved
The deficiency bill had been intro
duced, but not acted on by the house
at the close of last week A number
of additional claims are to be in
cluded in it when it is considered by
the house committee of the whole.
Some time this week will be con
sidered the workmen's compensation
act. Outside of the appropriation
bills it is now perhaps most impor-
tant piece of legislation awaiting &C.
ton.
An effort will be made, it is said,
to push it through the house without
amendment.
But a few days now remain and all
is set for the grand finale such as
has marked every previous session
Since the house has kept its calendar
clean the rush probably will not be
accompanied by as much confusion as
usual, but many bills may be lost IL
the last shuttle.
Laws now approved by the ligisla
ture regulating the liquor traffic are
three in number. The first one passed
provided for the submission to the
voters of constitutional amendment
to the state constitution prohibiting
the sale or manufacture of liquor
within the state. The second was &
stringent local option measures in
tended to make more rigid the law:
governing the sale of liquor under tbs
local option law. The third law pro
hibits the manufacture of liquor in the
state as well as the sale or gift. l
goes into effect January l, 1916.
A message has been received by tht
house from the governor. transmitting
a
the oregon legislature. Its purpose is
to influence legislation pending IL
congress regulating the development
of power sites. Idaho is asked &c
pass a similar memorial
The house passed twenty-one meas
ures ON February "a, and killed seven
while the senate passed four bills ant
killed three.
Representative Elrod exhibited.
phial of cocaine and an opium pip'
In the house when he began argu
ments in favor of the bill PROVIDING
stringent regulations to prohibit traf
fic in narcotic drugs. The bill passed
unanimously. Perhaps the exhioi
had something to do with the voting
Several attempts to amend tht
house direct legislation bill, failed II