Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1921-01-21
DOINGS OF STATE SOLONS
In SESSION AT OIL YHPIA
Interesting News Of Law Makers Now at
Work in State Capitol

Olympic Aside from organization
very little was accomplished during
the first weeks session of the state
legislature. This is nothing unusual,
however, for it is the habit OF legisla.
lures the country over to do very
little during the first week
While nothing of importance was
accomplished during the first week
except passage of two appropriation
measures, yet the prompt manner in
which both houses organized and start
ed to work augurs well for a success
full session. There was no contest
over organization in either house, +.
II. Cute being elected speaker of the
house and Howard Taylor president
pre- TEN of the senate without fight
When the Legislature adjourned Fri.
day over Sunday, % bills had been in
troduced in the senate and 10 in the
house, three joint memorials to con-
gress were introduced and two aD.
preparations were passed and signed
by the governor.
The appropriation measure provid-
ed for legislative expense and print
ing of bills. The memorials to con.
gress urged the passage Of bills estab-
fishing a tariff on foreign magnesite,
extension of the time OF state leases
of mineral and oil lands and for the
establishment of a naval aviation base
at Standpoint, on Lake Washington.
Code Bills introduced.
Among the important measures in
troduced were three new codes deal
ing with revision of the educational
system, industrial relations, and state
administrative departments.
The administrative code is the most
important of the three, in fact, it may
be regarded as the most important
piece of legislation Likely to come be-
fore the present session. This code
was prepared under the direct super
vision OF Governor Hart and proposes
sweeping changes in the state govern
ment Under its provisions some 10
boards, bureaus and commissions
would be combined and consolidated
under ten separate departments, each
in charge of a director to be appoint
ed and whose salary would be fixed
by the governor.
The new educational code, the work
Of the school code commission ap-
pointed by Governor Hart in accord
ance with a resolution adopted by the
extra session last March, was intro
duced by Senator Sutton OF Spokane,
chairman of the school code commits
sion.
It would make sweeping revision
of the present system of school adj
ministration in county and state and
provides for the appointment OF the
state superintendent of public in-,vUc-
ton by the state board OF cdUcaiCC
instead of by election by the people.
County superintendent are likewise
made appointive officers.
Educational Code Opposed.
The educational code undoubtedly
will encounter stormy passage when
It comes up for consideration and
open debate The state superintendent
has been conducting a vigorous cam
paign to defeat the measure and is
said to have enlisted considerable sup.
port. Indications are that the discus.
sion OF the bill will reveal a situation
in which noticeable degree of per
sonal feeling is involved.
The industrial code, as reported by
the Industrial code commission, IS
substantially embodied in the COVER.
nOr's civil administrative code. Or
Eanizcd labor will oppose the system
proposed with all the strength it is
able to command.
Would Change Divorce Laws.
If a bill introduced by Representa-,
tive Rawson OF Pierce county becomes
law, courts in this state will be
authorized to grant limited as well as
absolute divorces. A limited divorce
is described as one In which the par,
ties are separated but are not permit
ted to marry again during the life OF
either party. The bill was drawn al
the request Of the Ministerial fedora
ton, II was asserted, and Is practically
the same as the one which passed the
senate two years ago. 1t aboliahes The
right Of courts to grant divorces fol-
any reason which they may deem SUI
ficIent, and specifics seven causes o
action, namely; Adultery, wilful deser
tIOn rrunl md iuhumnn treatment