El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-04-22
MUCH PATRIOTIC WORK MAY BE
DONE BY ARIZONA LEGISLATURE

IKE the recent special session of the Texas legislature
Il the approaching session Of the legislature Of Arizona
promises to Be one OF most interesting nature and filled
with accomplishment
There viii be some difference The Arizona legislature
VII not create ten mile zone law, vote state vide proh
bon nor give women the night TO vote IN primary cleo
tons This for the that Arizona also has pTohb-
uon and woman suffrage.
Other matters Of Importance are to be accomplished
however If the legislature undertakes all that is asked Of
It in the proclamation issued by Gov G. ". P Hunt
moning the legislature to convene on May a.
One piece Of legislature be counted certainty.
The legislature VIII vote ratification Of the proposed
amendment the constitution Of the United States pro
vidng for nation wide prohibition 1t VIII also Tay the
national constitutional amendment extending the franchise
70 Action these be predicted confidently
because while the Arizona legislators are by no means
UNANIMOUS on suffrage ana prohibition the sentiment OF the
electorate in the state Is very strong and he would be
very daring assemblyman senator who would rsk his
political neck by opposing either proposition
Gov asks the legislature also TO give state
council Of defence power enforce its mandates Without
an outline of such measure II is impossible to commend OF
dsapprove It. Apparently the desire IS to grant the state
council certain police and judicial powers which, however
would presumably be carefully restricted. It would be
dangerous they not restricted Otherwise the
I'll Of defence easily might become weapon for the punish
meut Of citizens against whom members might
hold political personal grudg provided they able
through arul persuasion 10 manipulate the council
10 serve their purpose
However there Is little doubt that the council which
heretofore mas done verv effective work might prove even
effective If It given proper authority Let
suppose instance that farmers along the upper part
river damned and diverted its flow provide
lower part Of the river unable to sufficient
water TO keep their crops alive Priority Of water rights
might render such situation this legal but the council
Of defence # had the authority might decree
emergency that the upper farmers must release enough
for the crops Of the lower farmers that
sctions might bring their grain and alfalfa and other
products maturity. Just such situation this has
come TO light Arizona and the instance is cited
example of what action the council Of defence might take
had the requisite authority without attempting TO pass
the merits Of the contention involving the distribution
Of water from the ella river
The proposal that the council Of defence be given
orty to care the dependents OF soldiers VIII with
approval inasmuch such authority would tend to pro
vide dependents Of soldiers full measure Of pro
tection that the soldiers pay and the de-
partments aotments provide In England and Canada,
where government auotments also made dependents
there are private organizations whose purpose is to supple
this somewhat meager pay IN cases where such
5istance is necessary TO avoid actual suffering
Gov Hunts suggestion that legislation be provided so
soldier vote may be included state elections Is
evidently inspired by patriotic desire TO preserve to the
soldiers their function Of citizenship the choice Of state
officials This IS very commendable within proper limits
Soldier voting should be restricted the time while the
soldiers within the United States.
Other states provisions for soldier voting, and SOL
er elections have proved such disturbance to
routine that the department is seeking to discourage