The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1921-04-02
PUBLIC HEARINGS
ON TAX IS URGED
CARVER COMMITTEE TO BE
BUSY ON IMPORTANT CON.
VENTloN WORK.
MAY ABOLISH COMMISSION
Public Service Body With Five Mem.
bOrs Proposed in Convention
Special Committee Expected
To Review transactions.

Baton Rouge, lathe beginning Of
an investigation OF the affairs of all
state departments, boards and com.
missions by the special committee
named under the Ponder resolution;
announcement of series of hearings
on all important measures introduced;
the formal abolition Of the committee
on affairs Of the city of New Orleans
and the introduction of an ordinance
by DR.. V. K Irion of New Orleans
creating a public service commission
Of five members and abolishing the
railroad commission, were the main
features of the Constitutional Con.
vention Friday, when that body closed
the third week Of the session.
The special investigating commit.
tee, composed of Silas D. Ponder Of
Sabine, J. H. Morrison of Pointe
Coupee and George S. Guion Of AS.
sumption held its first meeting and
called upon the secretary of state for
a list Of all boards, commissions and
bodies that function under authority
of the state. Secretary Of State
Bailey Immediately went to work to
comply with the request, and when
the list is ready the committee will
begin searching investigation Of the
operations of each board or body.
Some May Be Abolished.
While nothing official has been
given out by the committee, it is un.
derstood that in addition to an in.
quiry into the functions and duties Of
the boards, with the view Of recon-
mending the abolition of those consid-
cred useless, the committee will delve
into the financial transactions OF the
boards. This will be to ascertain
how much money they are spending,
Most of these boards, as well as sew.
eraI departments, receive fees in
various forms. It is said there are
between 100 and $50 boards and COM
missions IN the state.
Chairmen Of several Of the big com.
mittees announced schedules Of hear
ings that will cover a wide range dur
ing the coming week. Among the
hearings fixed were those on the
Rosen ordinance for civil service
system for New Orleans and the Fitz'
patrick ordinance authorizing mem
bers of the New Orleans dock board
to receive compensation. A hearing
on the Rcsen ordinance will be given
"Wednesday by the parochial and mu-
nicipal affairs committee. The com
mittee on ports and canals will give
a hearing Thursday on the Fitzpatrick
dock board ordinance. Members OF
the dock board have been invited to
be present. Some of the board mem,
bers, it Is understood here, will op'
pose the ordinance because 1t per
mits the payment Of salaries to mem
bers of the board. Board members
hold that it will have the effect Of
| politicalizing that body.
City Affairs Body Out.
The committee on affairs Of the city
of New Orleans ended Its official ex
istence Friday when the convention
by a unanimous vote and without de
bate, adopted the resolution by Mr.
Phelps of New Orleans abolishing the
committee. The resolution was re
ferred to the rules committee Thurs
day and 1t came back with a favor
able report The convention also &C
cepted the recommendation VI the