The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1919-02-07
RESUME OF WORK OF
OREGON LEGISLATURE
Halt Of Session Has Passed
With Few of Really Import
ant Bills Presented.

Harmony on Road Legislation
NonPoliticaI judicial System -
Measure Prohibits Lobbying-curb-
Ing Of Phone Companies Asked
Would Re-Establish Death Penalty
Eight Bills Become Effective.
Salem.-When the legislature as
sembled Monday for the fourth week
of the session there was very little to
its credit in the way of bills passed
and sent up to the governor. AS
matter of fact, very few of the i'm
portant measures have been intro
duced in either house.
While the house did considerable
work last week, the senate mostly
marked time, due largely to the fact
that the senate committees reported
out few bills for consideration. Both
houses from now on must get down to
a steady grind and work longer hours
II the usual congestion during the last
days of the session are to be avoided.
Perhaps the most important piece
Of legislation passed during the third
week of the session was the Dimick-
Kubli syndicalism bill, designed to
suppress Bolsheviki, I. w. W., and
kindred radical movements. The bill
carried an emergency clause to make
it effective Immediately when signed
by the governor.
The house by q very large vote
passed the Gordon red flag bill, which
forbids the display of the red flag,
the emblem of anarchy and Bolshe-
vism. This bill will undoubtedly meet
with approval in the senate.
Senate Passes Antitrust Bill.
The antitrust bill passed the senate
without opposition, but it is likely to
cause discussion in the house and will
be amended or voted down.
AT this time no one can tell just
what may be expected in the way OF
road legislation. There is lack of
harmony about many features, but. the
$1O,OO0,Oo0 road bonding bill is being
whipped into shape and is scheduled
to appear this week. 1t will provide
that rs per cent OF the funds given
the highway commission shall be
spent on the primary roads outlined
in the road building program Of 1917,
while the remaining 25 per cent is to
be used in the discretion of the com
mission on any roads which it may
decide are necessary of Improvement.
1t will provide that the rate Of interest
is not to be more than " per cent
and that the bonds shall be retired
at the end Of 25 years.
Non-Partlssn Judiciary Sought.
A bill introduced by Senator Nor
blad, Of Clatsop county, provides for
non-polftical judicial system in Ore.
gon. This measure is one which has
for many years been advocated
throughout the state, and the present
assembly is expected to enact this bill
into law.
1t is provided in the bill that all
candidates for these offices shall bs
placed on a separate ballot at pri
mary elections and this ballot shal
be officially designated as the "officia
primary nominating non-political ju
dicial ballot"
Anti-Lobby Bill Prepared.
Complying with President Vinton'i
request that legislation be introduced
curbing the activities of the hug,
paving lobby that descended on the
legislature last week to lobby agains
measures striking at the paving trust
Senator Dimick drafted a drasti,
measure prohibiting lobbying. ti
Under the terms of the bill all lob
byists must register with the secre
tary of state, giving their names ant
the nature of their business. Lobby
ing with members either in or out o
the statehouse is absolutely forbidden
the measure providing that If the lob
byists have an argument to advance
for or against measure, it must b.
made before committees, in the pres
or in printed statements delivered t,
the members on their desks.
| Phone Regulation Urged.
! Alleged failure Of the public service
commission to take any action in curb
4 ing the telephone companies Of tn
state in imposing rates and charge
contrary to the statutes of Oregon
and in violation of the rights of tn
people, Representative Graham, o
Lane, introduced in the house Join
resolution calling upon the commits
sion to take such steps as may b
necessary to suspend the enforcement