The Ordway new era., 1919-01-24
STATECAPITOL
NEWS
Western Newspaper Union News Service
WOULD CHANGE CONSTITUTION
TO BENEFIT STATE.
Freak Measures Only Get As Far As
the Pigeonliole.
,sper Union News Service.

1
eHsN
Denver.-Legislators will have an
| opportunity to pass upon the feasi-
bility Of calling a constitutional con-
vention to help put the affairs Of the
commonwealth on a business basis.
This development came when it, was
learned that for several days a num-
Der of legislators have been working
| on a concurrent resolution which is to
be presented this week.
The movement is said to include ac-
tion that will bring the Republicans
and Democrats to a common under
standing in the matter, one reason for
which is the flood of constitutional
amendments proposed by bills now
pending in both houses.
If adopted, the matter will go. to
vote of the people at the 1920 cleo
ton. The plans for the convention
would be fixed by the next Legisla-
ture.
Although the proportion of calling
a convention at which the constitu-.
ton will be revised and practically
made over from start to finish is not
a new one, the need for it is be-
lieved to have a greater following
among Legislators. than ordinarily.
! Many of the reconstruction matters
proposed by the administration are
contingent on whether they can in the
last analysis circumvent the conflict
ing and contradictory provisions of
| patched constitution.
An example of this is the irriga-
tion systems and the hope for devel-
opment Of Colorado lands. Informa-
tion has come to the committees OF
agriculture in the House and the Sen
ate that Of 10000 acres under irri-
| cation systems in the state only 246,-
600 acres are considered as bringing
the results promised, while $4,000
acres are landmarks of the fake pro-
moter and the balance, 100000
acres, find place in the doubtful pro-
motion column.
In an effort to check the creation
of new bureaus, boards and commits
sions, the House of Representatives
yesterday appointed a committee on
commissions, to which will be sub
mitted all bills for new boards. The
motion followed Republican caucus
and was made by Representative l..
E. Girard, Republican floor leader of
the House. The committee will con-
sist of Speaker Allyn Cole and Repre-
sentatives Girard, Stephenson, Craig
and Best. The committee will endea-
vor to amend the bills in such a way
as to consolidate boards wherever pos
Siple, anu VIII give LIE "hoie qoeosioh
a thorough investigation before any
action is taken.
In committee of the whole the
| House began the consideration Of a
few of the bills submitted. Without
dissenting vote bill for the repeal
of the Sunday closing law was passed
on second reading. The act forbids
theatrical and picture shows, games
of any kind and other amusements,
from being held on Sunday. Repre-
sentatives Owen and Kelly, who in
troduced the bill to abolish the Sunday
closing act, say it will not affect any
small town or county which wishes
within its borders. But as the bill is
ignored by large cities, they contend
that the only reasonable thing to do
is to repeal it, rather than to continue
in the violation of the law.
With burst of enthusiasm, the
House adopted on second reading a
bill by Hugh F. Steel of Denver, MAX
ing November II public holiday to
be known as Liberty Day." to COM
memorate the defeat of the German
autocracy by the free people of the
world. In case November II falls on
Sunday, the holiday will be the pre-
ceding day.
The House rule against lobbyists
was strictly enforced yesterday for
the first time during the session. The
rule provides that only members and
employees of the House, state officers,
members Of the Senate and accredited
representatives of the press shall be
admitted to the floor of the House.
Memorials sent from the House
calling upon Congress to speedily en-
act Secretary Lanes 500, 100000 re-
clamation program and to authorize
drainage enterprises in the San Luis
Valley were referred to the commit
tee on State Affairs and Lands, at the
REQUEST Of senators who proposed mod
ification in certain particulars.
A House resolution inviting the Wy
oming state officials and Legislature
to attend the Western Stock Show
and Midwinter Fair in Denver was
adopted by unanimous consent.
The Senate accepted an invitation
from I. T. Pryor, president Of the Ma
tional Livestock Association, inviting
the members to attend a meeting Of
that organization in the Broadway
theater, at which addresses will be
delivered by David Houston, secretary
Of the Department Of Agriculture in
President Wilson'S cabinet.
oiu men ana women, VINO, because
of their years are subject to fits Of
mental alteration but wko are not in
sane, are daily being sent to the asy-
lum at Pueblo, according to Senator
A. L. Puffer Of Colorado Springs.
The Legislature in 1917 changed the
name of the asylum to the Colorado
State Hospital, and since then, ac-
cording to the senator, many persons
who should not be there are forced
to spend their last days under most
trying conditions.
Reading of committee reports occu.
pied the time of the State Senate in a