The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1919-02-07
LEGISLATIVE NEWS

| LnedSuic pul among the farmers AM
business men of this part of the stat
almost instant opposition was create,
on the bill of Senator Booth whicl
made its appearance in the uppe
house Friday.
The bill provides that taxation O
electric plants should be determined
by the amount of power which tn,
plant Is capable of generating ant
shall assess the same on the basi
of the value of the power developed
generated and used or capable of de
velopment and used"
1.-THE scource of the measure in
stantly recognized. 1t is aimed a,
the electric power companies of the
state and is ref1ectian of the fight
that certain organization is making
against these companies. But thai
Is not what makes the differences
with me-" said one of the progressive
legislators.
1t is the principal involved in the
measure. Even assuming that the
law would not stand the test. What
the makers of the bill wish to do is
one of the signs of the time, They
would rule or ruin"
IF such a bill should become a
law, then class predjudice will re-
ceive great boost. If impractical
legislation such as this even gets
minor support it tends to stir feel
ing that we cannot afford to have at
this time.
THE main opposition which comes
from tho 70 nm IN al bipnac nv,
yet another feature of the bill. They
point out that if taxation of unused
resources is allowed that every
farmer who does not farm his piece
of land to the full limit of it's cap
abilities is liable to have his taxes
raised. Mines that are not developed
would have to pay more taxes and
there would be no end to the things
that might be brought in under the"
1t is recognized by businessmen
that lack of capitol in business en-
terprises often handicaps the devel-
opment of unused resources and it
is a principle of business justice to
give owners an opportunity to de-
velop property when they can, with
out confiscating it with taxes, is the
view taken by another legislator
Passage of the administration bill
asking for Capitalization of depart
ments is the big thing that repub-
lican legislators now have to wrestle
with. This week will probably tell
the tale of the passage of the meas
rue.
With Governor Davis urging the
principle of the bill as a necessary
change in the government of the
state the political aspect of the meas
lre has not been lost sight Of by the
republicans in the two houses.
They must, they feel, do what the
head of their organization feels is
he best thing to do. Some. of them,
however, are more or less disturbed.
they do not like the radical changes
n the face of what the party must |
10 in the legislature. But neverthe-
ess they all seem to agree that a
change in the conduct of the state |
is necessary whether
low or in two years from now.
''It took courage for Governor |
Davis to insist on passing this bill"
aid leader in the senate. He
lnows we must face hard financial
situation; must change the primary
aw and that the party is on trial.
still he asks us to tackle this big
hing. l am going to give him my
arnest support and rise or fall with
he record that is made by my party
nd it's leader"
1t is believed here that the bill
will face considerable opposition,
ut that it will finally pass.
With the passage by the house of
representatives Of the Clark county
ill, which creates Clark county out
T the western part Of Fremont
ounty, the third measure to run the
auntlet of the two houses will be-
ONE a law with the signature of
Governor Davis.
The previous measures to pass
9th houses were; the bill to appro-
rate $4,000 for the expenses Of
ne legislature and the one to codify
ne laws of the state. 1t is believed |
ow that legislation will receive an
npetus and the two houses get into
apid working order.
Objection on the part of many
lembers of the wording of the suf-
age memorial presented to the joint {
ouses during the week brought
,rth another joint memorial by &
enator Whitcomb in which the d.
,ct references to senators who were {
sainst suffrage was stricken out and {
lis has been passed by the senate. s
Senate bills of Importance which '
I'VE been started during the week {
e as follows: a bill by Porter pro-
ding that the compensation act b
lall not apply to teachers or to Of
70 workers unless express contracts d
e made to have the law active in
dividual cases; senate bill No. 40
r the creation of a state consta-
lalry; senate bill No. Al abolishing
q state prison board and placing
cir duties in the hands of the par q
N board. .#. y
Two measures by Senator Nelson ?
Kootenai made their appearance II
the same day. One would give Q
unity commissioners q right to re- q