The Colorado statesman., 1919-12-06

In full:
TO the members of the Twenty-Sec-
ond General Assembly of the state
of Colorado, Greetings:
In issuing the call for II special ses-
sion of the general assembly the exc
cutive Is aware of the fact that such
gatherings of the law-making body !
have never been very popular with the
people, .but matters of such import
ance have developed since last you
met that | have deemed II necessary
TO call you together 10 give them seri-
GUS consideration Such is my cohil-
dence i'm the intelligence of the mem
bers of this body that | ann free to be-
lieve you will perform your duties eA-
peditiously and give unbiased consid-
Grafton TO the best interests of the peo-
pie
Since 1t first became known that a
special session was contemplated, the
executive mail has been burdened with
requests for Legislation of various
kinds, and scores of citizens have call
ed at the capitol To make personal
pleas for various measures. All such
requests have been given candid ana
serious consideration.
The matter of blue sky law has
been advanced by many, hut as the
National Congress is giving attention
to this subject, with the prospect lhat
II will soon pass sanitary Legislation
along this line, it was decided best TO
withhold state action until something
tangible as basis has been evolved
by the higher legislative body win
which our state could cooperate ny
appropriate legslat on.
NV thought is that when the next
tho incentive
for making IL political issue will
have passed away and there will have
been time for serious thought and the
formulation of a measure that would
accomplish the end desired and result
in action that would he worth while.
Likewise, the matter of the high
| cost of living" has been urgently sug-
| gested us n subject for legislative ac-
| tion. but ii is believed that as this
matter is not condition peculiar to
| Colorado. but rather is nationwide.
even worldwide in its scope-the real
son for high prices in Colorado, III
many cases, being directly attributable
| to conditions in other states-it was
| decided not to act on this matter III
| Colorado until after the National Con-
| gress shall have suggested renedieS III
the shape of enacted laws.
The Colorado commission appointed
n short time ago by the governor ana
| the attorney general to investigate
| this subject has done Il tremendous
| amount of work. investigating the SUD
| iect from various angles, ana whiie
| ii has gathered IL large amount OF data
and assembled great many conflict
| ing facts, the committee is not YET
ready to suggest even tentative plan
| for suppressing or regulating sucil
| abuses as may exist, and for TINS fea-
son il was not considered wise to EN-
brace in the call Il matter concerning
which it has not been possible TO come
| to any definite conclusions.
AS to the matters embraced in the
| call. kindly allow me to offer II Few
recommendations:
Happily Colorado was the second
state in the union to recognize the
| rights of its woman citizenship, ana
| they have capably exercised this right
| for many years.
heartily recommend the ratifica-
| tion of this amendment to the federal
| constitution and trust that IT VIII De
| brought about by unanimous Note
| of the members of both houses, so tilal
| the prestige of our beloved state may
| ne increased throughout the land.
The imperative need of new and au-
| ditioual legislation on the subject OF
automobile stealing is keenly real .zed
| by those who have made study OF
| the subject. Carefully comp led sti-
| tistics disclose some astounding 1acts'
The automobile business is the lars
| est business in the Stale OF Colorauo'
| and whereas at no very remote uay
| the automobile was considered as ohly
| a vehicle for the pleasure OF the Well-
| to-do, today II is recognized as one Oh
| tfnS nf
1t is stated that S250,OO0.OOO are III
vested i'm automobiles and trucks i'll
| Colorado. and most of this Investment
| is for business purposes. There mas
| been an increase in motor vehicles OF
| o2.6 per cent in 1919 over 1918, ana
| in the matter of tliefts during the same
| period there has been an Increase OF
| about 100 per cent.
Further, 1t is stated as fact that
delinquency among girls has Increased
at an alarming rate during the past
year because of the use of stolen cars
by so-called "ioy-riders" who have un-
lawfully appropriated the same ioi
their temporary use.
recommend that Il rigid anti-auto
theft law. with suitable penalties, be
enacted as one of the most important
measures which will be submitted for
your consideration.
The need for the enactment of leg
islation to curb and eradicate threa's
! against our form of government by II
responsible agitators has been brought
prominently before the public by the
events of recent days, and 1t is deemed
imperative that prompt remedia
and suppressive action be taken by
he general assembly in the form OF "
comprehensive, well-considered meas
ure provided with all of the penalties
needed for its practical and rigid en-
forcemcnt
There is vast difference hetWeeii
freedom of speech and rank and un-
warranted license.