The Weston leader. [volume] (Weston, Umatilla County, Or.) 189?-1946, 1919-01-31

senate members OF this commission.
The measure provides for three mem
bers TO be appointed from the lower
branch. This commission is expected
o recommend needed legislation on
pehalf Of the dairy industry.
House Bill Protects Cattle Shippers.
The Gallagher bill. preventing a
combination OF bidders for livestock,
received an unanimous vote In the
house. This bill makes II a misde-
meanor 10 enter into an agreement
or arrangement preventing competi'
tive bidding for livestock shipped 10
a Wholesale or central stockyards mar
ket. Fines for violation Of the act
range from 5000 TO $4,000.
The bill is designed 10 prevent collu'
sive agreements between the stock
buyers. said TO exist in the Portland
markets, from bearing the price OF
livestock, or splitting the purchases
among buyers for their benefit and
against the best interest of the stock
men who have to enter the markets
fer the sale Of their stock.
Would Simplify Court Proceedings.
Five bills. intended to simplify and
expedite court procedure in Oregon,
have been prepared for introduction
by Representative Hare Of Washing
ton county.
The chief reform proposed is TO con-
fer upon the supreme court power TO
prescribe rules governing the modes
Of pleading and procedure in the cir
cult courts, and not bind the circuit
courts with hard and fast laws as TO
procedure which are used by the tech.
nicai lawyers to obstruct delay and
divert justice.
Another one OF the bills amends the
statute relating to change Of venue.
and provides that tort actions shall be
tried In the county in which the de-
fendant resides or where the cause Of
action arose.
Change In Tax Laws Proposed.
Under o Joint resolution introduced
in the house by Representative Hos
ford. OF Multnomah, all property in
the state. except municipal, state and
federal property, would be taxed. The
resolution proposes submission of
constitutional amendment TO the peo-
pie so TO amend the constitution.
Provision also is made in the pro-
posed amendment for personal prop
erty exemption OF $500. This amend
ment, II enacted. would remove tax
exemptions on all church, lodge and
other property OF a similar nature now
enjoying immunity.
Antitrust 6lll Offered.
A general antitrust bill which. 1t is
declared, is aimed mainly at the So
called paving trust, but is applicable
to trade and other combinations gem
orally, was introduced In the senate
by Senators Thomas and Lachmund.
The hill is designed TO punish those
who would seek to prevent fair COM
petition and likewise applies to those
who endeavor to fix prices or in any
way limit the production Of any COM
modify.
Producers of horticultural and agri-
cultural commodities do not come
within the provisions Of the act
Tax on Gasoline Proposed.
A bill providing for tax Of ! cent
a gallon on gasoline and distillate was
introduced in the house by the house
on roads and highways.
The bill defines what shall consti-
tute the fuel upon which the tax shall
be levied and includes gasoline, dis
tillate, liberty fuel and such other
volatile and inflammabIe liquids pro-
duced or compound for the purpose Of
operating motor vehicles, except kero-
sene oil.
All persons dealing in these liquid
fuels are to be known as dealers,
whether engaged in the wholesale or
retail business. All dealers are re-
ouired to register their names with
The secretary Of state whether it be
person, firm or corporation name.
Legislative srevitles.
Organization OF the joint house and
senate consolidation committee was
perfected with the election Of Senator
Dlm.ck, of Clackamas, as chairman of
he committee.
An annual appropriation of $4,000
o be used by the Oregon Agricultural
,ollege in the Investigation of crop
pests was introduced in the house by
he Joint committee on horticulture.
The house passed Senator Thomas
oint memorial urging congress to
eliminate the 10 per cent tax which
he conference committee in congress
proposes to impose on loganberry and
lople iuices.