The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1919-01-24
RESUME OF WORK or
OREGON LEGISLATURE
Prompt Organization Of Both
Houses Augury Of Suc-
cessful Session.

VOSStut SCooiUits
Prohibition Amendment Ratified-soI
diers' and Sailors Commission
Formed-No Conflict over consoli
dation--WouId Suppress Criminal
Syndicalism-State Police Depart
ment Proposed - Compulsory EN-
ployment of Soldiers.
Salem.--If the prompt manner In
which the legislature organized and
started to work is an indication OF
the manner in which the law-making
business is going to be conducted IT
augurs well for a successful session,
There was no pickering in either
house over organization. Both the
president of the senate, w. T. Vinton
of Yamhill county, and the speaker Of
the house, Seymour Jones Of Marion
county, were elected without opposi-
ton.
The legislative mill began to grind
promptly after organization was COM
pleted, with less useless debate than
during the first week Of any session
for many years. While fewer bills
were introduced than usually appear
during the first week of session,
seldom does the initial week see SO
many important measures brought for
ward All told, so bills have been
introduced in the house and 81 in the
senate.
The first important action Of the
legislature after organization was the
ratification of the national prohibition
amendment. The prohibition resolu-
tion passed the house with only three
negative votes, cast by Kubli, Lewis
and Mcfarland, all from Multnomah
county. In the senate the resolution
was passed by an unanimous vote.
Bill Passed TO Relieve Soldiers.
The first bill passed provided for
the creation of soldiers and sailors
commission for the relief of returning
soldiers, appropriating 100000 for
that purpose. The bill passed both
houses with only one dissenting vote,
cast by Senator Wood of Washington
county.
Governor Withycombe promptly
signed the bill and announced the ap-
pointment of w. B. Aver, chairman;
John H. Burgard, A. H. Cranston and
John H. Stevenson, all of Portland, as
the personnel of the new commission.
A technical error was discovered in
the soldiers relief bill by the auditing
department of the secretary of state,
which is held to render 1t unconstitu-
tional, and will necessitate sending
the bill back to the legislature. for
amendment.
. Consolidation Plans Harmonious.
For a time there were Indications
of a clash between the house and
senate over the consolidation pro-
gram, but the differences were
smoothed over. A practical plan is
being worked out under which the
joint committee will put into form all
proposals for consolidation, elimina-
tion or merger of duties of various
departments and commissions.
Members who have been here for
several sessions declare that never
before have they seen the legislature
as whole In such seeming state of
harmony on the consolidation question
as now, and it is believed the conflict
which blocked all efforts at consoli-
dation two years ago will be avoided.
d Radicals to Be curbed.
y A bill was introduced in the senate
by Senator Dimick and somewhat
similar bill in the house by Mr.. Kubli
directed at criminal syndicalism and
designed to suppress Bolsheviki and
I. w. w. activities. The measures de-
fine criminal syndicalism and sabo-
tage and would curb lawlessness seek
ing. Industrial revolution. They would
punish by fine and Imprisonment not
only actual destruction of property,
but also the distribution of literature
or the teaching of such propaganda.
The bills are expected to meet the
desire of Governor Withycombe as
expressed in his message that law
providing for the punishment of treas.
on be enacted.
State Police Is Created BY Bill.
Creation of the department of state
police is proposed in bill introduced
by Senator Orton, of Multnomah.
The bill provides for an appropria-
ton of s60,000 for the support of the
department for a two-year period.
A superintendent of state police, 10
be appointed by the governor at a
salary of $4,000 a year, and the selec-
ton Of Il police officers by the super