The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-03-29
REPRESENTATIVES, IN BUSY SESSION
 CLEAR CALENDAR
Business Accommodating for Many Days Disposed of
 in Busy Few Hours.
HOLD UP ACTION ON
 "SLACKER" MEASURE
Question of Legal Fare for Jitneys Delays Action on
 Fare Evasion Bill.
Especial to The Farmer)


 Hartford, March 29@The House of Representatives, in the second after noon session of the year, yesterday succeeded in clearing the table of vir- tually all the business that has been accommodating during the last four weeks of legislative business.
 With the exception of less than dozen measures action on which was postponed in most instances because of the absence of interested legisla- tors, the representatives disposed Of all the measures on the calendar. Ac- ton was taken on more than four score calendar matters, in addition to the regular business of the day. The afternoon session adjourned shortly before o'clock, when the end of the calendar was reached.
 Acton on the military census meas ure providing a maximum penalty of 30 days in jail and $50 fine for per- sons refusing the desired information. and providing that persons who re- fuse in such cases to testify may be imprisoned until they do so was post poned at the request of Rep. Rogers of Manchester. This measure has passed the senate. It originated with the Military Affairs committee, which met yesterday afternoon to consider the measures drawn by Senator O'Sul- livan, of the committee, providing for the registration of aliens and the re- port by innkeepers of their rosters, when the governor, in time of war or danger of war, shall issue proc 1amation to that effect.
 A bill ofSinterest to Bridgeport fra ternal organizations, introduced by Sen Bartlett and adopted in the sen- ate last week, passed the house. It legalizes the burial of the children of members of fraternal benefit societies, membership in which, under the law, is restricted to persons above 16 years of age.
 The merger bill providing for the transfer of the rights of the Westches- ter Northern Railroad Go. to the New York, Westchester and Boston Rail- way Co. passed the house without op- position.
 Legal investments by savings banks, will be amplified under bill which passed the house and senate, so that these banks may invest under certain restrictions, in gas, electric light and water companies. It is specified that these companies must have paid at least per cent dividends for the four years preceding the investment.
 Designed to prevent suAcontractors on public building contracts from los ing through the failures of the general contractor, a measure calling for suit able surety bond for the protection of the owner and the subcontractors was passed by the house in concurrence with the senate. This applies to all building for the state or any of its xoNT ixy;c bridges which are supervised in other legislation.
 In the absence of Rep. Ivan L. Warehouse, during the afternoon ses- sion, his insurance tax bill which has been unfavorably reported by the committee on finance, was not acted upon. This measure would make the revenue of insurance stock taxes part of the state treasury funds rather than the property of the various towns in which the stockholders dwell. The enactment of the law would strip Hartford of an income of more than half a million dollars yearly.
 The house adopted the bill of the Military affairs committee legalizing rifle practice on Sundays between 1 and D. m., by properly accredited rifle teams.
 Extension of the law penalizing per- sons who evade fares on common car riers to include jitneys is the aim of measure which was scheduled for ac- ton yesterday, but which was delayed by reason of a question as to the word ing of the proposed law. The differ ence of opinion is whether the com mittee on Judiciary has properly cov- cred the subject of a legal fare for the jitney. The measure was tabled for further consideration