The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1919-03-07
RESUME OF WORK OF
OREGON LEGISLATURE
Thirtieth Assembly Adjourns
After Holding Over For
Five Days.

Broad Educational Program Pro-
vided For--House Kills State Mar
ketine Commission Compulsory
Military Drill Fails.
Salem.--The 30th assembly OF the
state legislature completed its labors
after a session which extended flve
days over the 40-day constitutional
period. BY holding over few days
the session closed without the GUS
tomary midnight confusion and tur-
moil during closing hours, with meas
ures being killed and passed while
many members were SO tired out they
were unable to fully appreciate what
was going on.
Usually there is more or less criti-
cism of legislature after the session
closes, but the sentiment seems to be
that the 30th session has to its credit
achievements which surpass those OF
any previous session in recent years.
Early in the session It appeared as
though the appropriations called for
by various measures would exceed the
per cent constitutional limitation,
but the ways and means committee
held down appropriations and kept
within the limit. The committee re-
ported adversely all save-really meri-
torious salary measures, and mustered
enough votes to defeat those to which
it was opposed.
Numerous Road Measures Passed.
Road building legislation is covered
in several measures, most important
of which is a $1O,OOO,00O bonding en-
actment. Another highway bill places
on the ballot at special election on
June proposed $2,50O,O00 bonding
enactment for the construction of the
Roosevelt military highway along the
Oregon coast from the Columbia river
to the California line. This issue
would be contingent upon the appro-
priatioi pf like amount by the gov
ernments
/ Besides inserting in the $40 900, 900
bond act provisions insuring free and
open competition in highway con-
struction, the legislature also enacted
several separate measures striking at
the paving trust, and putting highway
| construction upon competitive basis
Reconstruction Referred to People
While it was unable because of lack
| of funds to pass a reconstruction pro
gram that would become effective i'm
| mediately, 1t mapped out comprehen
siye one, and referred it to the people
at the special election. The program
| calls for the issuance Of S5,000,000 ii
bonds, for reclamation of lands II
conjunction with the government; the
construction of public buildings ant
land settlement. Primarily the objec
of the reconstruction program is t.
aid returning soldiers, and secondar
lily, to unlock and develop the resour
ces of the state.
Another important measure tina
will be submitted to the people at tn
special election and which is consid
cred a part of the reconstruction pre-
gram, is the bill Of Senator Pierc
levying a mill tax for the construction
of market roads.
A considerable number Of measure
tending to aid in the development Q
the arid lands of the state. aud er
courage agriculture, dairying an
other Industries were enacted
| Parole Officer Continued.
Efforts to abolish the office of stat
parole officer were defeated in tn
senate an hour before Adjournment
when two bills by Senator Lafollet
which we're aimed at Parole Office
Keller were killed by an overwhelmin
vote. ,
The closing hours of the senat
were spent in debate over the prt
posed amendment creating a lieuter
ant governor, and the house joint rest
luton, submitting to the people at tn
special election in June the questio
of creation of the office of lieutenan
governor was passed. The resolution
II accepted by the people, will enabl
the governor to appoint his own SUI
cessor.
The legislature provided for tn
broadest educational programme eve
accomplished in the state, and ha
listed 20 measures which have mate
tally broadened in scope the result
Of the session along that line.
Marketing Commission Killed.
Senator Illusions bill providing fc