Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1915-02-25
F. D Wagner Tells
Of Recent Session
Continued from Page one.J

tains for its entire length, though of
course all the work cannot be done at
once. 1t means long step forward
toward the completion of the Pacific
highway in the Willamette Valley,
for 1t is generally understood that
Josephine and Douglas counties are
to get an apportionment of state
funds to aid them in contemplated
extensive improvements on the route
of the Pacific highway through the
Cow Creek canyon region, which is
also recognized as a section of the
route entirely worthy of state aid.
Governor Withycombe and a very
considerable portion of the member
ship of the Legislature we're anxious
to see the state road tax increased to
at least one-half mill, but there was
sufficient opposition to forestall all
efforts in this line. Some unfortun-
ate conditions arising out of expert
ences of the past year and which re-
suited in the recent resignation of
State Highway Engineer Bowlby mill
tated against a larger good roads tax
at this time, but l predict another
session will see a much more liberal
spirit prevail, for the cause is spread
ing, and will eventually extend to the
black belt" in the Willamette VAL
ley where they have the richest land
and the poorest roads in all Oregon,
now, but where they are beginning
to see the new light.
There were many acts of general
legislation of interest. An amend
ment to the tax collection laws divid-
ing payments into two installments
with no penalty but interest of one
per cent on the second half, is
thought to be generally satisfactory.
An amendment to the workmen's s
compensation act making a reclassifi-
cation Of the rates charged employers
was enacted after great contention
and it is believed to be wholesome
amendment.
'If the prohibition statutes passed
are not satisfactory it will be largely
the fault of the dry people them
selves, for the legislature enacted the
laws the latter asked for. Anticipat-
ing the possibility of a referendum
upon the prohibition or compensation
acts, the legislature just before ad-
journment authorized a special cleo
tion the coming November should any
of the acts Of the session be referred
to the people.
"The legislature should also be
given credit for not doing a good
many things which it might have
done. A number of what were be-
lieved to be very vicious measures
were put to sleep in one house or the
other. There was a notable absence
of freak legislation and nothing that
was calculated to further hamper
capital or industry in the state met
with favor at any time.
"As far as appropriations we're
concerned, it is believed that the total
of the present session, when the final
tabulation is completed, will be
shown to be about $.1,50O,OOO less
than two year sago.
"An appropriation of local interest
was that of $4,000 for the widow
and children of the late Arthur Hub
bard of Ashland, who was shot to
death last December while on duty
as a game warden on upper Rogue
river The appropriation was made
out of the fish and game fund by
practically unanimous vote in both
houses, upon request of the Jackson
county delegation.
The changes in fish and game reg
ulations affecting this section are
several. The opening of the deer
season was extended to August Is, a
compromise agreement. A ten days
open season for China pheasants was
authorized for Rogue River Valley,
but a closed season of three years
for all kinds of quail in every section
of Oregon Except ten-day period
In klamath county, was established.
Both houses of the twenty-eighth
biennial session of the Oregon legisla-
ture will be recorded as having ad-
Journed at 1880 o'clock Saturday
night. AS a matter of fact the big
clocks in the chambers of the senate
and house were stopped at that hour,
but 1t was o'clock Sunday morning
before the work of the session was
finally completed. The last night