The star-progress. (Opelousas, La.) 1917-1921, 1921-09-07
SIX BIG MEASURES
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FACE LEGISLATURE
AT EXTRA SESSION
Questionable if Solons Can
Complete Program in
Thirty Days
OPPOSING CURRENTS
MAY BLOCK THINGS
Conflicting Interests to
Fight Hard in Behalf of
Pet Measures

Pet Measures
The extraordinary session of the
state legislature, which convened at
noon yesterday, has before it for
solving, according to well informed
correspondent, six big measures
which must be attended to before the
gayels Of the presiding officers rap
adjournment. AS boiled down, these
measures are:
First. Whether the new state high
way. department shall be operated
under one commissioner or under
commission of three.
Second. Fixing the tax on gaso-
line and a system of collecting the
tax.
Third. Fixing a severance tax on
the natural resources Of the state,
Fourth. Rent profiteering, housing
conditions and alleged excessive costs
of building materials and supplies.
Fifth. Enforcement of the prohi-
bition amendment to the federal con-
stitutton.
sixth. Prohibition of the use Of
natural gas in the manufacture of
carbon black.
In addition. continues the cores
pondent, ito the six big issues nam
ed, three investigations are proposed
that are full OF legislative dynamite.
The proposed probes are:
First. The Cumberland telephone
rate case and the state public service
commission.
Second. The New Orleans Rail-
way and Light company and its affili-
ated corporations and natural gas
franchises in New Orleans.
Third. Rent profiteering, housing
conditions and prices of building ma
terials."
Perhaps Of the six big questions
the first one named will cause the
biggest rumpus in the legislature.
Here the conflicting interests viii
get a full and fair chance to spill ora
tory and play to the galleries as well
as indulge in open and shut politics
- ~ 1,,oavvIs rFa+a
There are two warning camps on
the proposition anent highway conn
mission. One camp wants the en-
tire power Of the new department to
be named under yet to be adopted leg
islation to consist of one man who
will be named by the governor. I'm
der this system this one man would
have almost autocrat4c powers and
would WELD the stick of influence in
every part OF the state when it comes
to building the states system OF
good roads.
The other camp say that the high
way commission should consist Of
three members, one from the north
end, one from the center and one from
the south of the state. This plan,
they claim, is bcked by the rules OF
common sense as well as the gener-
al demand for a democratic form Of
management Of revenues and expen
diture thereof for highway purposes
These, then are the conflicting
opinions and between these ideas the
legislature vii lhaye to decided. Pro
ponents Of both schools are vigorous
in denouncing the other side while
vigorously upholding their own views
AS to which side can and will mar
shall the greatest number Of vote:
when the long roll is called awaits u
be seen.
It is generally believed that tn
governor is going to cut wid'
swath in the final decision. and those
who are acquainted with the power hi
wields over the senate and house
representatives solemnIy aver tina
whatever side he espouses is goinl
to hold the most ~trumps when tn
showdown finally comes.
| Some of the governors most en-
| thusiastic friends and supporters faE
~ bo+h nlaus and as wide apart a
the poles in their opinions respect
| ing the two ideas. Whether the exc
cutive will be able to get the warTin
sides together on a third schem
which may be sprung, like "dar
horse" at a convention, to heal tn
breach and solidify the members
support Of a measure as yet not 81
en- to the public. is questionable
the present time.