El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1921-01-04
TEXAS LEGISLATURE TO GET
IMPORTANT BILLS GOVERNING
FARMS, TAXATION AND JAPS

n \ III ~ VI A -
sentative Joe Burkett OF Eastland
proposing a reapportionment Of the
senatorial and congressional dis
tricts Of the state Mr.. Burkett said
he viii make an effort TO have the
new congressional districts compact
as far as possible. and that he does
not propose to make district for
any man or against any man A more
liberal representation for western
Texas is planned
Anti japanese legislation is an
up for consideration Senator W. IT.
Bledsoe Of Lubbock county has an
nounced that he viii introduce a
bill TO restrict II not prohibit the col
oniZation Of Orientals in Texas. This
bill is being backed by the American
Legion Of Texas and was the result
Of an effort to colonize japanese in
the Rio Grande valley.
Despite the fact that the public
utilities bill has been carefully con-
sfdered by a special committee ap-
pointed by the governor and repre-
senting the varied interests involved,
considerable debate is expected on
this measure before IL is disposed Of.
The bill as drafted does not pro-
pose TO create a new commission. but
to enlarge the scope OF the railroad
commission and vest in that body the
Jurisdiction over the public utilities
Of Texas. An increase in the salaries
Of the members Of the commission
from $500 to $500 Is proposed and
the measure also provides for a gen
eral solicitor for the commission at
a salary of $500 a year.
Tax Code Revision.
Revision Of the tax code viii be
proposed in a bill by representative
John T.. Smith Of Travis county. in
which It is planned 20 have a uni-
form system OF taxation This bin
IS designed TO eCualiZe taxation and
TO place on the rolls much property
that is now escaping taxation, &C
cording TO representative Smith.
J A King. state tax commissioner,
has prepared bills proposing the Gre
alton of a state tax commission,
amending the intangible asset tax
law 50 as TO include various classes
Of corporations including oil com
panies, packing houses, coal, lumber
wharf, steamship, express, telegraph,
interurban, pipe lines, telephone,
electric railways. oil refining com
panies. sulphur, light gas, soft drink
and mail order companies and per
haps others
-Four bills are 20 be introduced by
representative Williams Of McLeu-
nan county, designed for the protec-
ton Of the Texas farmers one Of
these measures VIII require cotton
samplers 10 take out a license and
stand examination before carrying
on business. Another bin Will give
protection TO the independent cotton
cou1presses and mills so that the
small man may have his cotton
compressed and shipped eIpiditiously-
II is also proposed in one Of these
bills 70 prohibit the taking or eU-
tracing from bales OF cotton four or
five pounds OF sample in grading
cotton
Proposes Consolidation.
Consolidation Of the live stock
sanitary commission. the warehouse
and marketing department. the board
and oyster department, feed. fer
tiiizer and foul brood control VIII be
urged during the session in bills
scheduled 70 beintroduced.
Senator / r Clark Of Fayette
county has announced he win intro
duce a bill in the senate proposing
the abolition Of the department Of
agriculture The senator says he
win also offer a bin TO repeal the law
creating the state fire insurance
commission
There is every Indication that the
new governor win recommend the
passage Of a bill 20 aid the rural
schools Of the state Under the
present administration such a law
was passed carrying an appropriation
Of sf-cll-fng 70 be expended in two
years The Democratic platform
recommends 70 the legislature that
il deal literally with the common and
particularly the rural schools. steps
may also be taken for q general in
crease in the salaries Of school
teachers.
On the whole. It IS apparent that
the coming session VIII be one Of
considerable interest 20 the people Of
the state, especially as the bills and
resolutions do not include any Of the
recommendation that may be- made
by Gov. Eeff-