El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-01-23
Hot Fight On
HOmeSteadLa1g
NO1g Predicted
Texas Legislators Badly
Divided on Revision of
Existing Laws.

Austin. Tex. Jan 23.-Vigorous op-
position has already developed in both
branches of the legislature to the joint
resolution proposing an amendment
TO the homestead provision Of the
state constitution and. from present
indications, the resolution may be de-
feated- When the proposed amend
ment was introduced in the senate by
senator Caldwell, Of Travis county, an
effort was made to have 1t passed to
third reading. but senator Page. of
Bastrop, and others objected TO taking
immediate action on the measure and.
BY a vote Of Is to 10. it was referred
TO the senate committee on constitu-
tional amendments. It requires q al
firmative votes in the senate for its
adoption
The resolution in the house was also
given consideration by the house COM
mittee on constitutional amendments,
and the opposition was so marked
that it was laid on the table, subject
to call a caucus Of house members
was then called and 80 responded and
decided that they will contest any at
tempt made to tamper with the home
stead laws Of Texas
Fight on Constitutional Convention
While the house committee on con-
stituiOnal amendments made a favor
able report on the Tilliotson joint
resolution calling for a constitutional
verse report, and when the report IS
considered in the house an effort viii
be made TO adopt the minority instead
OF the majority report The senate
has not taken any action as yet on
this proposition. but viii await the
disposition Of the resolution IN the
lower branch
Would Teach Military in Schools
Teaching of United States infantry
drill tactics in the schools Of Texas
as a part Of the regular course. is
urged by senator Dayton in a bill he
has introduced in the senate. and ap-
plies 10 all male pupils OF II years Of
age or over; three hours each week to
be devoted to drilling. this training
to begin with the school term Of 1913
The bill includes such training IN the
University Of Texas. the agricultural
and mechanical college and the voca-
tional and normal schools.
Senator Buchanan, OF Bell. has in
troduced a bill in the senate remov-
ing the limitations on pipeline COM
panies as TO the size OF pipes to be
laid. while senator Caldwell has sub
mitted a measure amending the tick
eradication law so that Lampasas,
Burnet. san saba and Mills counties
shall be placed in zone No 2 instead
Of zone No. /
Joint Resolutions Taken Up.
The joint resolution by representa-
tive Terrell Of Cherokee. proposing
an amendment TO the constitution. pro-
viding for a graduated land tax. was
given a favorable report by the house
committee on constitutional amend
ments. and referred TO a subcommittee
the joint resolution by Terrell reduc-
ing the mem ership Of the house 10
90 members and fixing their salaries
at $1,000 a year
To Abolish Highway Department.
Seventy eight members in the
house have signed the house bill 10
abolish the state highway department
and place the department under the
Jurisdiction OF the railroad commits Z
sion as a bureau This bill was re-
ported favorably by the house com 1
mittee on roads. bridges and ferries. I
and viii come up shortly for consid- |
Grafton in the house, but from pres /
ent indications, will pass that body
and stands an excellent chance OF
passing also in the senate
Urges Deficiency Appropriation.
The governor has transmitted q l
message to the legislature urging an
to meet deficiencies
amounting to s361.069 incurred in the
various departments and institutions
OF the state. He pointed out that on
January I. 1919. there remained IN
issued OF these deficiency certificates
about $4,000, according to a report
furnished him by the controller.