The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-03-03

representatives of the Society of Ed
uity. 1t Is true that some OF the men,
hers of this society exercised a great
deal Of influence on the legislation
submitted to the assembly for con-
sideration. 1t is also true, however,
that the simon pureA farm measures
had a strenuous time and were in the
majority of instances consigned to the
boneyard. The herd law, which had a
tempestuous time in the house and n
worse one in the senate, is not in
reality what thes farmers expected in
the matter OF n herd law. Holding
the balance of power in the organiza-
ton of the house 1t was thought that
several measures such as they de-
sired would be Forthcoming. The orig
inal herd law was, however, etnascd-
lated and while It is more than has
ever been passed along this line it is
still not exactly what the tillers of the
soil would have liked.
Good Loan Bill.
The McCone bill, which is product
of the combined effort Of Senator Nc
Cone and Sam Teagarden has, how
loan situation. The measure provides
for the loaning of the states perma-
nent funds on first mortgages on farm
property. 1t also creates the position
of chief examiner, whose duties are to
inspect all the loans OF this depart
ment once every year and satisfy him.
self as to the manner in which the
farm Is being managed and the. fety
of the loan.
Several minor measures such as the
bill defining the use of the word CO.
operator and the one permitting the
creation of mutual farm fire and hail
insurance companies were passed.
The O'Shea hail insurance bill is
distinctly not the measure desired by
the equity. The record of similar leg
islation as tried out in other states
does not arouse much enthusiasm on
the part of the farmers. There was
an attempt to amend the bill SO as to
make the Insurance compulsory on all
farm land. but this was defeated. al.
though supported enthusiastically by
some Of the members Of the equity and
by n resolution from tha society ask
ing for such legislation.
Elevator System.
The influence Of the representatives
from the northern end of the state
combined with that Of the equity was
sufficient TO take the first step toward
securing a system of storage and
terminal elevators. The Stimpert bill
providing for the submission to the
| voters OF the state the question Of vot-
ing a bond Issue for the construction
of an elevator at Great Falls passed
both house and senate. but it had a
| narrow squeak. 1t was killed once in
the house and again in the senate, but
Its supporters managed to breathe life
into its Debated lungs and finally
worked it through both houses. The
argument used by the advocates of the
measure was that they simply desired
to borrow the credit Of the state and
that the charges for grain stored
would take care Of depreciation. ex-
pense and ultimate retirement OF
bonds.
The representatives styled farm rep
resentatives on several occasions
called attention of the house to the
fact that "there'd come n time some
day. and referred to thh clean sweep
| OF the Non Partisan league in North
Dakota as a substantiation Of the
statement that if this legislature did
not give them what they wanted they
would come back and take 1t at the
next session.
The highway system of the state
was completely revamped by this
session. The general highway bill in
troduced by the joint committee abol
ished the present state highway CON-
mission. Tho new plan contemplates
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