The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1921-02-21
In The Legislature

| -SSAA SAuSo oAS AAhAA6 uP AOl LAC
Inevitable fight on the direct pri-
mary. Just as the resolution of the
state committee against the measure
In no way promoted harmony OF
thought or action, so the Borah tele-
gram urging passage has simply in
tensified the antagonism of the foes
OF the measure. A senator who was
opposed said Tuesday night that In
his opinion the defeat of the bill,
which now sleeps in the senate COM
mittee, was inevitable. There is
some speculation in regard to just
what Borah had in mind. His critics
say that he is not very anxious for
the measure to carry, as its defeat
would give him an issue two years
hence on which he could return
again to the people for further in
structions," to use his own words,
whereas, should the bill 60 thru 1t
would be regarded as a fact and fur
nish no issue. There is no real diff
ference between the Borah forces
and the Gooding forces in the legis-
lature on economic matters at pres
emit, except that the Gooding hackers
lay more stress on the beneficial ef-
fects of a protective tariff. Should
Borah force the matter, the bill will
90 thru; 1t may anyhow.
The public utilities repail bill was
indefinitely postponed Tuesday after
a hard fight in the house. The
friends of the bill commended that the
commission had failed to satisfactor-
lily regulate the utilities. They did
not generally deny that defenders Of
the commission showed that by in
tsrvening the commission had Sc
cured better rates for shippers. The
critics claimed that the courts could
better regulate utilities and asserted
that the commissions had failed in
all the states and that the Interstate
commerce commission was not wholly
satisfactory. 4
The Northern Idaho new state
resolution will likely go the way of
similar resolutions in the past. It
advertises the north part of the state
and preserves the record In case more
favorable conditions should exist
later.
The Witty tax bill was killed in the
house Monday. 1t passed by one
vote and was then reconsidered and
killed. That there was merit in the
measure was declared by many vot-
ing against it, but the fact that the
state is in need of money at once
and that the passage of the bill
would Increase the deficit caused it's |
defeat.
Wednesday was the last day for
the introduction of bills in the senate
and food Of bills has been pouring
into that body. The time set for in
had previously expired in
the house, so there will be no new
trouble there except such as may be
handed it by the upper chamber.
Settlers from the Salmon tract in
Twin Falls county are here testifying
relative to the situation there. There
is a bill pending to reimburse settlers
partially for expense incurred and
should it pass it is believed that ad-
)ustment can be had out of court
with the company. Litigation has
been pending for years on this mat
ter. The company sold more land
han it had water for and the settlers
claim that the state engineer having
approved of the plan, the state was in
measure liable. Several other
racts will be affected in lesser de-
gree by the bill should it pass.
The senate has passed the bill in
'reasing the salary of the land COM
missioner from $4,000 to $1,000 max
ng 1t conform to the salary paid
'ther members of the cabinet. Many
timer minor measures also passed.
The legislature is still puzzled in
egard to the best way to 60 about
utting taxes. Every time a start to-
ward retrenchment is made, con-
lusive evidence is produced to show
hat the particular expense proposed
o be cut is absolutely necessary and
hat the pruning should take place
Elsewhere. The bill abolishing the
ffice of commissioner of education
8 case in point and there are many.
mere will be much legislation to-
yard the end Of the week on things
7orth while, but getting started is
ONE job.