El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-03-11
MINE
BILL WILL PASS
Has Gone Through Senate
and Is Now On Third
Reading In House.

today, the senate bill by senator r.
Il Dudley. OF FL Paso. Tex. propos-
I ing a comprehensive mining law for
I Texas, was advanced 10 third reading,
which means the measure wiz pass
finally when il is again called for
/ consideration. The bill has already
been passed finally in the senate.
This is the bill which is patterned
largely after the federal mining act
and was drafted by several leading
mining experts Of IL Paso. Tie en-
actment Of this measure viii greatly
promote the development OF mines.
The bill does not apply 10 oil. gas or
coal
The house passed to engrossment
the senate bill amending the law re-
gardinB the collection OF insurance
taxes so that the collections shall be
vested in the county judge Of the va
rlOus counties Under the present
law. the controller makes contracts
with private individuals for collec-
ton Of such taxes.
Alien Ownership Bill Engrossed.
A house bill proposing more strin-
gent regulation OF alien ownership Of
land was engrossed- This bill pro-
poses that no alien who has not de-
clared intention OF becoming a citi-
zen may acquire title 10 land and
that aliens now owning land within
five years either must dispose Of their
land or become citizens.
The senate board Of control bill az
ter being amended. was engrossed ~
the house as i- now stands, the bill
proposes the creation Of a board OF
cOllTOl Tor the state institutions and
that this board shall take over the
duties OF the state purchasing agent,
superintendent Of public buildings
and grounds and the inspector Of ma
snnry.
To ReOrgnnize Labor Department.
Senate bill proposing reorganiZa-
ton Of the state labor department
was also engrossed by the house az
ter being considerably amended This
bill now proposes the organization OF
woman deputy, two women inspec-
tors. an Increase in the division OF
labor statistics. and makes an appro-
priatiOn OF SS95S 10 cover expenses OF
this increase until further provisions
are made.
Both Houses Rush Work.
Entering the last week OF the
lature. the lawmakers today be-
gan work a. top speed, wiki
the result that many bills are to be
rushed through in both branches. The
house is practically clear OF all house
bills which have been engrOssed and
the senate has also passed finally a
number OF measures which are now
up TO the house for consideration
During this week the house viii de-
vote the major portion OF its time in
passing on senate measures and the
senate VIII reciprOcate and take up
and dispose Of house measures
II is generally believed that the
great bulk OF the important measures
can be disposed OF by Tuesday, March
Is, although many measures Of little
general importance are doomed to de-
feat and measures 10 which there IS
any great opposition
Urges Aid 20 COnVicts' Families
Governor Hobby yesterday trans
mitted a message 10 the legisla-
ture urging the adoption, before
session, OF the proposed consti-
tutional amendment which viii
confer upon the legislature the power
TO apply a portion Of the earnings
Of the penitentiary system for the
use and benefit OF families and de-
pendents OF convicts." This pro-
posed amendment IS now pending
with favorable committee reports.
The governor adds that given
prosperous conditions in 1919, the
penitentiary system viii be able to
pay all debts and hold in reserve
fund sufficient 10 provide for the
emergency Of q rainy day"
Land Office Inquiry Tabled.
a resolution and various substi-
tutes and amendments proposing an
investigation Of the general land Of
flee by the legislature were laid on the
terday after lengthy discussion. A COM
munication from the land commits
siOner yesterday requested an investi-
cation and members who stated on
the floor that they are his friends
also urged a probe Represent tives
r. Bolin and T. J. Tilson urged that
in face OF charges made the land
commissioner should be heard. Hill
said that he did not think suffi-
cieut reasons for Investigation Of a
probe have been given
Representative John Davis said
that the house did not have time TO
develop the investigation and made
a motion that all resolutions per-
tanning 70 1t be laid on the table,
subject 70 call Nell repeated the
charges formerly made and said that
while he did not know them to be
true, he wanted an Investigation 10
determine their truth. The resolu-
ton was finally laid on the table,
subject TO call
To Establish Fee System.
The house yesterday adopted free
conference committee report on the
proposed constitutional amendment
10 establish the fee system in pay
meut Of public officials In Texas. As
the measure now stands IL is TO be
submitted TO the voters November 4.
AsAa anu II aAulLtAs VIII allow the
legislature 20 exempt any counties
they see fit from its operation
house bill. proposing an increase
in compensation Of county commits
sioners was Indefinitely postponed by
the house.
Dudley Has Bill for Marathon.
Senator r. " Dudley introduced a
bill yesterday creating the Marathon
Independent school district
DenOunees University Bond BIZ.
The bill authorizing the board OF
regents Of the University Of Texas 10
issue bonds Of the university not eN-
.ceeding S4.500.0OO. payable out Of the
annual income from the permanent
university fund creates a debt in be-
half OF the state and violates section
40. article OF the state constitution.
according 10 an opinion given yester-
DAY by attorney general C. N. Cure
ton to senators Bailey. Carlocz and
Hopkins. The house last Saturday
proposed finally a bill Of this nature
and there IS a similar measure pend
ing in the senate.
Section 90, article 9. which IS said
by the attorney general to be violated
by the bill. provides no debt shall be
created by. or on behalf Of the state,
except to supply casual deficiencies Of