El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-05-12
TEXAS
DEFENCE BOARD
Legislature Quickly Acts on
Governors Suggestion;
Appropriates $4,000.

Austin, Texas, May 12.-Acting upon
the recommendation Of the governor
the house today passed finally. under
a suspension of the constitutional
rule, a bill providing for the crea-
7 ton by law OF the state council of
defence. The bill carries an appro-
priation of $4,000 for the first year
and $4,000 annually thereafter IN
til the conclusion of the war.
The bill will be rushed to the sen
ate in order that speedy action may
be taken thereon although another
bill covering the same subject was to-
day introduced in the senate by sena-
tor Page and others.
Makes Suggestion in Message.
Governor Ferguson submitted mis-
accommodation in message to the
legislature asking the enactment Of
a law providing for the creation by
law of a state council for defence,
in order that this council, recently
named by him, may have legal
standing. The governor also recon-
mended that an adequate appropria-
ton be made for its support in order
that IL may successfully cooperate
with all national authorities for the
defence of the country. and both rec
concentrations were promptly carried
out.
81 take It to be unnecessary to make
an argument in support of this needed
Legislation" said Gov. Ferguson In
his message.
The governor today filed in the
state department without his sigma
ture the senate concurrent resolution
memor$alizing congress TO pass a law
prohibiting the use of grain in the
United States for the manufacture of
Intoxicating liquors during the war.
Signs Guard Bill.
The governor signed the senate bill
providing for the appointment by him
OF officers OF the Texas national
guard and also prescribing qualifica-
tons Of enlisted men.
Ask Congress to Reimburse State.
Both branches Of the legislature to-
day adopted house concurrent reso-
luton by representatives Woods and
'others, urging upon the Texas dele
cation in congress to take such steps
as will. at the proper time, procure
the refunding TO the state by the fed
eral government the money expended
by the state under the bill carrying
$4,000 for increasing the Texas ma
tional guard.
It is Insisted by the supporters Of
the resolution that the state should
be reimbursed for any of such funds
vides that the federal authorities shall
keep a detailed account OF such ex-
penditures-
Hudspeth's Ranger Bill.
The senate has passed finally the
bill by senator Hudspeth, OF FL Paso,
providing for increasing the state
ranger force OF home guard to a
maximum being 50. This bill as in
troduced by senator Hudspeth carried
an appropriation of $500, 600. but this
amount was reduced by an amend
ment offered BY senator Dayton and
adopted, to S250.000.
The purpose for this force Is to
protect the border against narauding
and thieving parties. or any invasion
by foreign foe or allen enemy to
this state; also for the suppression OF
lawlessness and crime
This bill has no direct connection
with the measure passed in the senate
a few days ago providing for an ap-
preparation Of $4,000 for border pro-
lection.
Fight Made on Deficiency.
In the house today a fight was
made on the item Of $3.50 to pay
a deficiency for the governors man
sion This item being included in the
general deficiency appropriation bill
which is under consideration
Representative Bryan offered an
amendment to strike out this item.
on the ground that the supreme court
had held such expenditures to be IN
constitutional, and Mr.. Bryan OBJ
served that the governor had said
he would pay the deficiency, in the
event the suprems court held it IN
constitutional
Representative Terrell made the
point of order that the Carlock sub
stitute was not an amendment but a
subterfuge. The chair sustained the
point Of order. The house recessed
without action being taken on the