The Ronan pioneer., 1917-02-16
MUST SPEED UP
LEGISLATIVE MILL

the Fifteenth assembly is now ready
to consider the most important leg
islation that will come before it
appropriations for the maintenance
OF all state departments for the next
two years, constitutional amendments,
revision of the primary law, revenue
and taxation problems, highway laws,
fish and game law legislation.
Here is the record of the first 45
days: 1862 bills introduced in the SEN
ate: 10 passed both houses and signed
by the governor; 40 pending in the
house; 20 killed in the senate; re-
nlander under consideration in the
senate.
In the house: 316 bills introduced:
1G passed both houses and signed by
the governor; 35 pending in the SEN
ate; between Is and 100 killed in the
house; remainder under consideration
in the house.
The record for the same period two
years ago of bills reaching the gov
ernor's office was %, just two more
than have reached him this year.
But there is this difference. Two
years ago a rule was in effect for
bidding the transmittal of bills from
one house to the other after the fifty
fifth day. This year the rule takes
effect the fiftieth day. Which means
the house has got to speed up more
than did any of it's predecessors. The
acceleration is already noticeable
A number of night sessions have been
held and apparently the house is de-
termined to prove a steering commit
tee is unnecessary. The senate, as
usual, is right UP with it's work and
has disposed of every bill on the
board.
The most important enacted 50
far is H. B. 4, amending the present
woman's, nine hour law to eight hours.
it went through with much less oppo-
sition than did the original nine
hour law two years ago.
House bill 81. endorsed by the Mon
tana Retail Merchants association,
has also been signed. 1t prohibits the
use of trading stamps and premiums,
and will have the effect, it is said,
OF encouraging the use of cereals
and other products manufactured in
Montana.
Senate bill IS, by Jones, that has
been approved, will meet with the
cent stipend for mileage and the per
diem at S4.o0.
S. B. % is calculated to foster road
building. Heretofore many Montana
counties desired to use prison roa,
crews, but were deferred by trans
portation charges. Thi; bill fixes a
rate of one cent mile fot the trans
rortation of prisoners ard guards. 1t
has been approved
Fl. B. II will please parents of all
school children. 1t provides fire.
tex. books for the use of the pupils
of the public schools at the expense
of the districts. Tie governors y.
X. has been affixed.
Anothe: bill approved by the gov
ernor is S. B. ;, by Brewer. 1t abol
ishes all salaried inspectors of
weights and measures, including the
chief deputy, and places the resDons-
.biljty for the enforcement of the act
upon the secretary Of stale anG the
county officers. Twelve heads were
chopped eff when this went into eff
feet, saving of about $4,000 year.
The Fifteenth assembly is viewed
pretty much as the Wilson admins.
tration has been viewed by the Euro
pean belligerents. The labor people
say the majority is reactionary and
not friendly toward the interests of
the working men. The farmers say
they haven't had square deal; that
the labor men and the business inter-
ests completely dominate legislation.
Representatives of big business shake
their heads and say lit is a wild-eyed
bunch" Merchants complain that
the members won't protect Montana
institutions.
These opinions are based on the
fact that measures favored by each
of the classes mentioned have been
slaughtered.
Views just as divergent are held
regarding the reports Of the special
committees on taxation. All kinds of
flaws are pointed out; that the re-.
ports are prejudiced in favor of the
big companies, and that they are
prejudiced against them. One criti-
cism lodged against the senate report
is that it shows there are 100000 peo-
pie engaged in or dependent upon
;nfn ron Iin~ an<1 So