Gilpin observer., 1919-02-27
STATE
NEWS
western Newspaper Union New. Service.

I
tonito, in Conejos county; at Cedar
edge. in Delta county, and at Sweet.
water, lake. in Garfield county. has all
met with approval in the House. The
bills carry appropriations ranging from
$500 to $500 - 80
The House adopted the Girard reso-
luton memorializing Congress to place
an embargo upon Importation OF tung-
stem, manganese. pyrites and other
minerals for the protection of Ameri-
can producers.
Another live subject discussed was
the matter of teschers' pensions. I'm
der the present law, which has been
In operation for ten years, the teach
ers' retirement fund is supported by 4
levy Of one-tenth Of mill. The Fair
field bill, adopted In the House on SEQ
Ond reading, doubles the levy, In.
creases the maximum monthly allow
ance from $40 to $50 and changes from
so to 55 years the minimum age at
which women teachers may avail them
selves Of the fund.
Protests against the contemplated
passage Of the Knauss-Dodge-Dunk
anti-proflteering bill were voiced be-
fore the judiciary committee of the
Senate by committee of manufac-
turers, jobbers and retailers, headed
by Charles Hatfield of the J. s. Brown
Mercantile Company. The protestants,
in answering questions propounded by
members Of the committee, denied the
existence Of any combination or con-
certed movement to regulate the prices
OF produce or groceries, either in Den
yer or throughout the state. They
asked that the bill be put to sleep in
the committee, declaring it an injus-
tice to have the regulations imposed
by the Federal Food Administration
after the national movement to control
prices has been abandoned.
The State Senate went on record as
favoring probation for adults prose-
cuted for crimes other than capital Of
lenses. On second reading, also, it
adopted the Napier-Knauss-He -Hethering-
ton bill, which gives courts of record
discretionary power to place on proba-
ton for periods not greater than four
years in the first instance persons
convicted Of misdemeanors of felonies
not punishable by life Imprisonment
or death.
Three appointments made by Gov.
Oliver n. Shoup are in the hands of
the Senate for confirmation. Grant
McFerson of Boulder was re-appointed
as bank commissioner for four years.
His present term expires April 10.
VIII R. Murphy of Las Animas was ap-
pointed AZ a member of the land
board, succeeding John E. Field, whose
term expired Jan. IA. Mr. Reilly's
name was referred to the industrial
relations committee, Mr.. McFerson's
name to the banking committee, and
Mr.. Murphy's name to the state af
fairs and public lands committee. The
Supreme Court is asked to determine
whether tire commission appointed by
the outgoing governor julius G. Gun
ter, is legal, the appointments coming
under the constitutional amendment.
Republicans say this right devolves up
on Governor Shoup.
Passage of the Andrew Bill, which
seeks to more clearly specify what
shall constitute libel in Colorado, was
recommended in favorable report
presented to the Senate by the judici-
ary committee. The bill proposes to
place upon defendants in libel actions
the burden of establishing evidence
convincing to the jury that good mo-
tives and justifiable ends actuated
publication Of the matter alleged as
libelous. If the bill becomes law,
truth Of published statements alleged
to be defamatory shall constitute a
complete defense only when proof can
be shown that the articles or COM
ments in question were not published
with malicious intent.
Proponents Of the Knauss bill,
which seeks to repeal the section of
the Public Utilities Commission act
regulating competition of utilities in
cities not operating under special
charter. won the opening round in the
Senate when by vote of 20 to IL the
Ing The bill was adopted after futile
attempts had been made by opponents
who disregarded party lines-to
strike the enacting clause. The issue
came directly on recent developments
In the city Of Lamar, where the tax
payers endeavored to erect a plant to
compete with the power house erected
some years ago by the Intermountain
Light and Power Company. The city
officials found at the last minute that
they could not proceed without first
procuring permission from the util-
tiles commission through the granting
of certificate Of public necessity.
Authority for the state treasurer to
purchase Liberty bonds with certain
state investment funds II provided in
the Mayer bill, and banks are to hold
Liberty bonds us a part of their re-