Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1915-01-19
GOSSIP AT The
LEGISLATURE
Taylor and Metcalf Dispute
Threatens Peace Of Re-
publican Majority
SESSION BREAKS RECORD

Disrupt Anticipated Har-
mony in Both Houses
OLYMPIA, Jan. 17.--Bringing to q
close a week of legislative activity,
which sets a new record and upsets
all former precedents, the 14th ses.
sion Of the Washington legislature ad.
-journed Friday morning until Monday
at II a. m. In many ways the pres
ent session is unique in history. All
records for speed in getting under way
have been set aside. All records for
the number of bills introduced the first
week were broken in the house, and in
the senate.
This year the senate appears to be
taking the position formerly held by
the house, the dumping place for bills.
while the house is becoming more
staid. and is receiving few bills. Two
years ago. at this time, there had
been 80 bills introduced in the house.
This session there are but II. In the
senate two years ago So bills were
introduced the first week. This ses-
sion 56 bills have made an appear
ance. And at that, in the senate few
of the big issues have appeared.
Fe appropriation measures have
appeared. The legislative expense
measures have been passed, signed and
approved. No other bills have pass
ed either house. The appropriation
measures in both houses are, with the
possible exception of the Henry relief
measure, slated for a speedy death.
The sentiment in both houses is for
economy in all things financial, and in
the number Of bills which will be
passed.
Although the republican control has
q strong organization working in both
houses, there appear to be many rough
spots which have not been steam roll
ed. In the senate Howard Taylor and
Ralph Metcalf have had falling out
politically. Taylor is leading fight
on the Metcalf-Black report of their
European investigations into the rural
credits system. Taylor frankly says
his fight is made because DR.. Capron
was not included in the junket after
he, Taylor, had nominated him for the
trip.
Metcalf is Angry.
On the other hand friends of Met
calf declare the King county senator
is angered at the Pierce county solon
because of the latter's close friend
ship with Governor Lister. Metcalf is
looked on as Listers strongest sup
porter, and his arguments have antag-
onized many who under ordinary cir
cumstances would have been working
hand and glove with the control. AS
It now stands split which will tear
open the party ranks is not unexpect.
ed.
A change in the house rules also
opens the way for ripping asunder the
steam roller and unseating the crew.
The rules have been amended to per.
NIT change Of rules by a majority
vote instead of by a two-thirds vote.
The wet and dry test vote showed that
the party control could not swing the
necessary two thirds vote. The pro-
gressives and the democrats are
watching this rule change for their
first broadside.
A mandate has gone forth from the
powers that be, that the republican
control of the house and the senate
must commit no overt act against the
democratic administration. This man.
date was served on Senator Mccoy
when he attempted to resurrect a
school district bill vetoed by Gov
ernor Lister. The Lister administra-
tion is not to be antagonized, the man.
date declares. and the legislature is
to rest and tread carefully, so that II
any open fight does break, it can be
laid to the doors of the democrats as
starting it.
For this reason it is most unlikely
that any attempt will be made to hold
up confirmation on any state appoint
ments. There has been some talk on
c. A. Reynolds being held up. but the
republican senatorial leaders declare,
LET the Lister administration wash
its own dirty linen If there is any. A
republican senate will not interfere
with a democratic administration un-
less 1t is shown that the administra'
tion is interfering with the welfare OF
the commonwealth"
Governor Lister, on the other hand
has instructed all state department
heads under his immediate control tc
give Olympia and the state house a
wide berth during the session unless
specifically called for BY one OF the
legislative committees. The governor