Imperial Valley press., 1917-05-04
CONSTITUTION
CHANGES ARIE:
To Be VOTED
IN NOVEMBER.
Eighteen Amendments Up
for Ratification at the
Next Election.
tBy. United Pross)

(By United Pross)
Sacramento, May 4.-Eighteen con
stiutional amendments PASSED the re-
cent legislature and will he up to
the people at the general election in
1918 for approval or rejection.
The two most important come with
in the scope Of humanitarian legisla-
ton.
One, introduced by Kehoe, paves
the way for the establishment by the
legislature of health insurance sys-
TEN along the lines suggested b. The
state social insurance commission and
heartily endorsed in the farewell mes
sage of former Governor johnson. The
aim of the amendment is to insure
toilers against the hazards of sick
ness, the cost of insurance to be di-
1ided between employer, employee and
the state, and the benefits to be in
accordance with schedules announced
ty the Social Insurance Commission
following thorough investigation,
n effect it would amount TO an extsn-
sen of the workmen's compensation
act to cover sickness. California Is
ere of the first states to take Up this
great problem.
The other humanitarian amendment
was introduced by Luce and proposes
TO write into the constitution the pro-
visions of he workmen's compensa-
tion act. 1t would vest in the con-
stitution olenary power, unlimited by
any provision Of the constitution, to
enforce a complete system Of work
mems compensation, giving eompen-
sation to all injured workmen ire
spective Of the fault of any party
end making adequate provision for
tie comfort, health, safety and gen
eral welfare of all workmen and those
dependent upon them.
Two of the eighteen constitutional
amendments deal with exemption Of
certain property from taxation. In
Ger Satterwhite's measure, property o.
certain cemeteries not conducted for
profit would be exempt; under Ly-
oAs' measure, property Of Young
Mems and Young Women's Christian
Associations would be exempt An
ether amendment by Lyon clears the
way for reimbursement by the state
to cities for taxes lost on account Of
exemptions from taxation.
Constitutional amendments intro
duced by Kehde and Carlson deal with
appellate courts. Kehoe's provides
for two divisions Of the San Francisco
;nd Los Angeles appellate districts,
so that there would he three more
Justices in each district. Carlson 5
proposes to place in the hands of the
Legislature the whole business Of ere
ating, changing or abolishing appel
late districts and Of increasing or de-
ueasing the number of justices. 4
two-thirds vote Of each branch Of the
legislature would be necessary.
Two constitutional amendments that
we're voted down in 1915 viii be
again put before the people. Evans
introduced the one under which the
state, counties and cities, in securing
land by condemnation, may acquire
more tha the amount actually needed
for use in the improvement. Tyrreil
sponsored the other, relating to the
deposit Of public moneys.
1T is proposed to give the legisla-
tqre power to enact an "absent vo-
tiers" law under the constitutional
amendment fathered by Ambrose. The
establishment Of municipal courts ii
The framing Of charters Is deal wit,
iu Iksward's constitutional amend
ment One by Gebhart will make Il
POSSIBLE for the state and its p0llti-
cal subdivisions to take immediate
possession Of rights Of way required
fer public use in actions Of eminent
domain.
Three Of the amendments relate tC
local conditions. One by Breed would
open the way for an election on The
matter of putting The city of Oaklan.
in a county by itself; one by c. W
Lyon relates TO the municipal indebt
edness of the City Of Venice, and ont
ts Bartlett relates to the reimburse
rient Of official funds held by th'
treasurer Of Los Angeles.
An amendment introduced by Nor
ris changes the section relating t.
the liability OF stockholders and di
rectors so that il would not apply t
any corporation hereafter organized