Omaha daily bee., 1921-07-28
New Laws Operative
In Nebraska Today

| AltuOuSu tiiC HSW iSSisiatiNt hiS
tricting bill is in effect today, it will
not be in practical effect until The
next state election. This law pro.
vides for the election OF state rep.
resentatives and senator's by districts
Heretofore Douglas county has elect
ed II representatives and five sena-
tors from the county at large. I'm
der the new law the county will be
divided into IS representative dis
tricts and five senatorial districts,
adding one to the former delegation
from this county Each state repre-
sentative and senator will be nomi-
mated and elected from his particular
district and must reside within that
district. This will apply through
out the state.
Combine Omaha Courts.
A new law which pertains only to
Omaha effects the municipal court,
which is to embrace the police court
and justice of the peace court, be-
ginning in January. 1923. The pres
ent municipal court. has three
judges. elected last fall for terms
of four years. During the fall Of
1922 two more municipal judges will
be elected and the police judgeships,
as such, will be abolished The fe
municipal judges will assume all Of
the work of the existing municipal
court. plus that of the police court
and justice of the peace.
A new law affecting the school
districts of the state requires that
all boys and girls between the ages
Of IA and 16, who have not been
graduated from high school, shall
not be granted employment permits
unless they attend part-time school.
If granted employment permits be-
tween the ages mentioned they must
not work in excess OF 40 hours a
week, nor attend school less than
eight hours a week. In Omaha this
will come within the jurisdiction of
the vocational supervisor OF the
Board of Education.
New Boving Bill.
The new boxing BILL so called, is
one of the most important and popu-
lar laws which which goes into eff
feet today. The law places boxing
and wrestling in this state under the
direction of the state board OF public
welfare. Omaha, the only city of the
metropolitan class, is allowed seven
clubs and each club is allowed one
bout per calendar month. except
when a special permit is issued by
the board. The law protects clubs
and the public, prohibits betting at
these events and provides rules and
regulations for the promotion OF
clean sport.
Another new law provides that
fve-sixths OF a jury may give ver-
dict in civil cases. District court
judges are allowed to order investi-
cations in divorce cases.
The public defender will be allowed
to name his own deputy, which harks
back to the recent election OF John
N. Baldwin, who became involved in
tilt with the county commissioners
over the retention of son of County
Commissioner Thomas O'Connor in
the public defenders Office.
No July 4 Pardons.
The governor will not be allowed
to issue pardons on the Fourth of
July, which was a time-honored Gus
tom.
Tax levies will be based hereafter
on the full valuation instead of on
one-ffth as has been the practice
here for many years. The chief rea-
son for the change was to obviate the
necessity of making explanations to
bond buyers when reporting the val
uation in connection with bond sales.
Arrangements already have been
made by the Omaha police depart
ment for the enforcement of the new
motor (ens) law. A demonstration
for motorists recently was held at
Ak-Sar-Ben field and testing stations
have been designated and authorized
to issue certificates of examination OF
lenses which will hold a motorist
immune from arrest for 80 days.
Hold Up Bread Law.
The bread law, promulgated by
Representative E. A. Smith of
Omaha, is held up through legal ac-
ton in the courts of Lancaster
county, attacking its constitutional
ity.
The language law, which restricts
the teaching of foreign languages in
grade schools, is likewise held UP
through court action at Fremont.
Referendum Is Filed.
Referendum petitions have been
filed with the secretary of state
against the enforcement of the fol-
lowing new laws. Prohibition OF
picketing during strikes, statewide
registration of voters, requiring all
to express their party affiliations;
amendment to the primary bill which
would discontinue direct primary for
election of delegates to county, state
and national conventions; portion OF
banking bill which gives state bank
ing board discretionary power to de-
eide whether there is a public de-
mand for new state bank in a town.
Another law exempts druggists,
dentists, embalmers, national guards.
men, members of fire departments
and court clerks from jury service
in Douglas county.
Cedar Bluffs Celebrates