Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1917-03-16
IDAHO LEGISLATIVE
SESSION AOJOURNS
STATE REMAINS UNDIVIDED AND
DISTURBING LEGISLATION
Is AVOIDED.
compromlss Reached on Workmsn's
Compensation Bill. Which Caused
One Of Most Bitter Fights Of
Fourteenth Session.


no legislature passed into history Sat
urday night, when 1t adjourned sine
die at 10 o'clock while hilarity reigned
supreme among the members
With its passing went the dreams
of those who expected to see new
state carved out of the ten northern
counties, the ambitions OF those who
desired idaho TO have a workmen's
compensation commission realized.
and the defeat Of two measures that
threatened International controver
sizes. " not a complete breach-the
ant. Asiatic marriage bill and the
antialien land ownership measure
both conceded to be aimed AT the
time OF their introduction at the Jap
anese.
THE closing hours OF the legislature
witnessed compromise being reach
ed over the workmen's compensation
bill, which caused one of the most
bitter fights an Idaho legislature has
ever witnessed. without a dissenting
vote both branches passed COM
promise bill throwing the cloak OF
pEOtSSluu ONcN thU l1DOlhA pVOPlc Va
the state.
The final days session saw the pas
sage OF appropriation bills carrying q
grand total of almost million and q
half. dollars. The state educational,
penal and charitable institutions were
cared for by them. State departments
were given their biennial maintenance
l
disposed of. One institution suffered
as the result Of the final pruning
process, and only one. The Univer-
sity OF Idaho had $4,000 stricken from
It's maintenance for the payment OF
expenses OF lectures OF the extension
department and $4,000 for the summer
school. Otherwise the state educa-
tional institutions are given the
amounts apportioned to them by the
souse. The school for the deaf and
the blind gained $4,000 Tor a new
building and $4,000 for q central
heating plant.
BY q vote OF thirty.two TO ten the
house joint resolution authorizing the
converting OF a state convention at
Moscow to draft constitution for
the proposed new state to be. created
out of the ten northern counties was
laid on the table and in that manner
Its defeat was accomplished. It re-
ceived the support OF but the ten
senator's from the north. This reBo-
luton had passed the house. a ma
jority Of the members OF which were
Is joint authors.
The anti-Asiatic marriage and the
anti4ailen land ownership bills were
defeated by being smothered in conn
mittees. A majority Of the senators
we're opposed to the passage OF either
at a time when the nation faces an
international crisis.
Among other measures that failed
to pass was the ss50.O0O bond issue
for completion of wings on the new
state capitol. II was smothered on
The calendar.
Labor secured its greatest victory
Of any session OF an Idaho Legislature
when It succeeded in having passed
, by unanimous vote workmen'i
compensation bill providing for cleo
tive compensation. Regardless Of the
fact that many days were spent bj
both houses in threshing ont the com
pensation issue and for weeks bittei
fight was waged for and against tht
three bi1ls-Roekwell. Bates and An
lerson-and a deadlock threatened Il
. prevent an adjournment for days, th'
!, legislature unanimously agreed final!
; to a compromise measure that wal
} introduced on the morning OF the las
days session and passed before tn
lay was over without a dissenting
vote cast against 1t in either house,
A commission OF three member
and state insurance manger an
department are created by this bill
| a schedule Of compensation for in
? jured workmen or for the heirs o
. those killed at labor ranging from 4
r per cent OF the total weekly wage
for a period OF 400 weeks 10 provides
in the measure. Casualty INSURANCE
companies are barred from partleipai
ing and an employer may elect b
come under state compensation o
] give bond TO provide compensation
b for his injured employees. as he de
+ sires. The measure is conceded 1
4 meet the differences Of those faction
= interested.
BY a decision Of the attorney ger
sral the POrtneuf county division bill
which passed the senate and hous'
but was held by the president 10 hav
failed 10 pass on account Of the fac
r that when the senate voted upon
r the measure was in the possession {
0 the house, was held valid, and
q signed by the governor will bec0m
, q law. II creates q new county out {
Bannock county.