The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1919-03-14

, me DoOlitSBeIS, the sdutlity u Tilt
private home has been maintained
The legislature also passed bill au.
thorizing the use OF one-half of one
per cent alcohol in soft drinks.
State Normal Schools.
Normal schools provided one of the
chief issues of the assembly, with the
rants for such institutions ran the
gantlet. They are Billings, Lewis
town and Terry. The fate of these
measures rests with the governor, but
the belief prevails that Billings, at
least, will receive executive endorse
ment. Governor Stewart has contin-
ued his insistent opposition to race
track betting and vetoed the parimu-
fuel bill, which would have permitted
that system at the state and county
fairs. The house failed to get eysn
a majority vote. when an effort was
made to pass 1t over his veto.
Efforts were made TO bring about
the creation of u new counties, but
only seven succeeded in passing both
branches. They are Garfield. Treas
IRE, Pondera, Glacier, Roosevelt, Nc
Cone and Powder River.
Democrats Seated.
The contest instituted by Silver Bow
Republicans over the seats of nine
Democrats elected to the lower cham
Der in that county was ended the last
day of the session when the house ac-
cepted a majority report of the COM
mittee, recommending that the Demo-
Gratis be seated. The committee on
privileges and elections had conducted
a lengthy hearing in Butte on the mat
ter The report said that only three
votes were proven TO be illegally cast
and that while there was some suSpi-
cion that other votes were not legal,
there is no likelihood that the illegal
votes would have reversed the result
and seated the contestants. All the con-
testees are cleared of knowledge of al
legged crookedness or blame.
Abolition of the absent voters act
or some further safeguards about it,
is suggested. A minority report sign
ed by Representative Black recon-
mended that the seats be declared va
cant, but cleared the contestees of all
blame.
Trusts Fix Prices.
The joint committee of inquiry on
final report the last day of the ses-
sion. 1t declares that the price of
gasoline and lubricating Oil is fixed by
the Standard Oil company and its
that packers trust
fixes prices for wheat; that a grain
dealing association controls the prices
for grain; that millers' combine reg
ulates flour and feed; that wholesale
and retail grocers work in ''associa-
TONS" that none of the above men
toned associations or corporations
are formed TO protect the ultimate
consumer. The report also says a
trust controls farm machinery and re-
pair parts The cost of living, the re-
port says, has risen at least rs per
cent in Montana since 1914.
The report of the joint committee on
state offices finds easeful and ex-
-ravagant methods in vogue, most of
which are the result of patchwork leg
Station by successive assemblies, it
s said Various recommendation for
llleviation are made. The livestock |
commission and the livestock sanitary
BOARD are commended as efficient. The |
committee recommends a laboratory |
or the state board of health.
Elliott Commended.
Complete commentator of the chan.
.ellor system of supervising the state |
University, as opposed to the old plan /
or separate heads. and praise for
E. c. Elliott, marks the
eport of the joint committee of house
nd senate which has been investigat-
ng the state university.
A house committee on the case of
V. F. Dunn, representative from Sill
er Bow, convicted of seditiOn in a
Ielena court, left Dunn's seat in doubt.
f he loses on appeal, it is vacant. He.
annot be dispossessed until convicted
4 the final court, is the report, which
'as adopted.
In executive session on the last day
f the legislature, the case of Senator
Ickay of Sanders county, against
hose loyalty charges had been made,
'as considered. The senate sustain
d a motion that evidence was insult
cient and ordered the matter ex-
unged from the records.
Joker Creeps in.
1t was discovered just before the
ssembly adjourned that house bill No.
}, passed by the legislature and sign
! by Governor Stewart, raises II Mon
ina counties to the first and second
asses. by IT'S provisions as to the
amer of arriving at valuations. The
nmber of county employees are doubl-
in many counties and salaries rails
| and state revenue from taxation /
1t. Increased salaries will not take |
ace until present holders pass out /
he imbroglo arises from a clause in I
e bill providing that in classification
pronettv aceaSSed yaluatio iS RI he