Omaha daily bee., 1918-12-08
LEGISLATURES
GREATEST ISSUE
! TO Be DRY FIGHT
Prohibition Will 0verShadoW
Other Reform Measures in
Central States Next
Month.

|
early next month. Every state no
already dry will take action through
the legislature.
Scores OF reconstruction measure,
will be brought up for consideration
but most of these so far hav,
reached only tentative form. Coco
roads, taxation, revision of election
laws, and constitutional change.
will be leading issues in many states
The Ohio legislature, overwhelm
ingly 'dry," will have up for adop
ton a statewide prohibition amend
ment and legislation revamping tn.
taxation laws to meet the big dehci
resulting from the loss of liquor
revenues.
In Michigan, bills will be intro.
duced to strengthen the state pro-
hibition law, to create state bud
get commission to pass on appro
priations, and to establish central
board to purchase supplies for state
institutions.
Republicans Plan.
The republicans, who will have
overwhelming majorities in both
houses of the Indiana legislature
are expected to enact laws consoli,
dating several small bureaus, and to
establish separate departments OF
banking and insurance to be con-
Quoted under the governors direc-
ton. Appointment Of the attorney
general and the state superintendent
of public instruction by the governor
also is proposed. The Kentucky leg
islature does not meet this year.
One of the principal contests at
the Illinois session is expected to
develop over the federal prohibition
amendment. The senate is dry" and
9th sides claim the house. Legis-
alton for the calling of a constitu-
! Slonal convention. approved on No
Iember 5, and measures providing a
Comprehensive finance law to replace
bnficting statutes also will be dealt
fith.
Both sides are already claiming
Ictory in the coming fight over
doption of the federal prohibition
Enendment by the Wisconsin legis-
| Iture. Measures prohibiting unfair
4 Ictics in marketing and preventing
be teaching of foreign languages in
thools lower than high schools also
ill be acted upon.
Nonpartisans Active.
Statutory prohibition, WON n
lffrage and proposed tonnage taxes
h iron ore will be vital issues be-
ire the Minnesota legislature,
hich also will take up legislation
prevent future disastrous forest
fes.
Besides suffrage and the prohibi-
tim issue, the North Dakota legisla-
ture, firmly controlled by the Ma
tibnal Nonpartisan league, is expect
I'D to take up the measure fathered
by the league which in effect pro-
yides a new state constitution. 1t
the leagues bonding and state own
ership amendments pass, legislation
might be expected for bonding the
state for the erection of terminal
elevators, grain warehouses, flour
mills, packing plants and other in
dustries. Matters of local interest
will hold sway in South Dakota.
The question of taxation will be
paramount at the Montana session.
A commission appointed two years
ago will report on alleged inequali-
ties in tax statutes. The mines are
charged by some interests with not
paying their share. The few legis-
iators who had endorsement of the
National Nonpartisan league will
have little strength in the legislature.
Nebraska Drys Confident.
In Nebraska, prohibitionists claim
sufficient members to ratify the fed
eral prohibition amendment. and the
sdrys' in the Iowa legislature like
wise claim majority in both houses
for the amendment. The Iowa legls-
lature is expected to be confronted
with measures intended to provide
relief for returned soldiers and
sailors,
Besides action on the federal pro-
hibition amendment, the Missouri
legislature will take up revision OF
the statutes and an important mort
gage recording tax measure.
Maintaining the State Council OF
Defense as . peace time organiza-
ton. ratification of the prohibition
amendment and construction OF a
state highway will hold interest in
Kansas.
81 Texas.
Dallas, Tex, Dec. 7.-Submission
of a constitutional amendment tor
statewide prohibition will be up tor
action at the Texas legislature ses-
sion. Especial interest attaches to
this because of recent court de-
cision knocking out statutory pro-
hibition adopted at the last legisla-
ture. Despite the court ruling all OF
the chief cities remained dry under
a law forbidding traffic in intoxi-
cants within 10 miles OF an army
camp. Fiscal and judicial reform
is almost sure to be considered.
Texas now has no budget system
and an investigating committee OF
the last legislature has reported sug-.
gesting a comprehensive system OF
financing that has been approved
bv the democratic party in its last
state convention.
Arkansas.
Little Rock, Ark, Dec. THE
importance of the legislative SEES
sion in Arkansas will depend large
" upon the action of the voters in
the special election December u,
for ratification or rejection OF the
proposed constitution submitted by
The constitutional convent ION.
Should the new constitution be en-
idorsed, a general revamping of
statutes would be necessary. The
constitution, although limiting leg
islative sessions to 90 days, exempts
the first session after its adoption.