Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1920-03-19

Although the formal session of the
legislature does not begin until next
Monday, this week and part of last
has witnessed the gathering of large
numbers of the members and near
members from the various portions OF
the state to look after some pet meas
ure or to set the stakes for political
play which he fondly hopes may land
him few degrees nearer the goal of
his ambition.
Besides the members who are
championing bills, and those whose
vaulting ambition scars high, there
are also goodly sprinkling of other
interests who always seem to have to
be present at session of the legisla-
ture, some bent on uplift and others
on selfish matters. Then there are
the ubiquitous newspaper representa-
tives without whom to tell the story
of the proceedings no gathering Of
the legislature or any other body
would be complete.
Already the appropriations COM
mittee Of the legislature has been in
session for three or four days con-
sidering the matter of the needs Of
the various state institutions to sup
plement their biennial allowance
which was granted at the last session,
and which in most of the institutions
has been practically exhausted
already, owing to the increased cos.
OF all the supplies that they use. az
well as by the higher salaries paid.
President Suzzallo and Dean Con-
don OF the State University. President
Holland of the State College, Presi-
dent Black of the Ellensburg Normal
school, President Showalter of the
Cheney Normal. as we'll as represent
atives of the penal and corrective in
stitutions. have been here going over
their financial situation with the com.
mittee.
The demand for legislation for in
creased state support of our public
called "2O-20 plan"
Under the present plan of state aid
as provided by the Rogers barefoot
school boy law" $40 for each census
child gives $3.4SO.OOO for state aid.
If this were changed to $50 it
would give $6.96O,0O0 state aid.
Under the present plan of county
aid as provided since 1909. $40 for
each census child gives $3,48O,OO0
for county aid.
II this were changed to $40 it
would give $6,960,00O for county
aid
Thus state and county aid at pres
ent raises $6,s6o.OOO.
If the present 1910 plan is changed
to 1920 plan 1t will mean $13,920,-
600, in addition to the levies made by
the individual school districts.
Arguments were heard last night
by the appropriations committee In
favor of the proposed bill to create
fund for former service men.
The proposed measure, which was
described as the Veterans Compen-
sation BILL" provided for levy of
/ mill tax to raise $11.OOO,0O0 to pay
every person who was in active serv-
ice from April s, 1917. to November
II, 1919, the sum of SIS for each
month or fraction OF month that he
was in active service.
Speakers in favor Of the proposed
bill included Col. William NJ. Inglis
of Seattle, Capt. Dewitt M. Evans of
Tacoma. Maj. E. s. Gill. Seattle;
Capt. w. H. Nelson, Seattle: F. C..
Reagan, Seattle, and L. l.. Thompson.
Olympia.
1t was declared that the money was
not intended as a bonus. but as actual
compensation for financial losses suf-
fered, and Col. Inglis urged that the
bill be introduced by the joint appro-
priations committee, stating that he
considered It decidedly an appropria-
ton matter and that. speaking for the
American Legion, 1t was much pre-
ferred not to have itNoffered through
any other committee.
The latest session Of the appropria-
tions committee practically agreed
that the limit of mill levy should
be raised to s mills for general fund
and that for the public schools SIS