Gunnison news-champion., 1921-03-18

Regarding this institution l was in
terested to learn that the number Of
persons confined in the penitentiary is
increasing very rapidly and at the
present rate will be up TO the maxi
mum before the days of prohibition.
In this connection, Warden lyman in
forms me that 80 per cent Of the pris-
oner s at this time are from outside
dangerous class of gunner that they
men are worked on the. roads, (Colo.
was the first state to use convict labor)
and it is hoped that a cement factory
will be built from state highway ap-
preparations where men can be work.
ed whose character is such that they
are afraid to send them away from
the institution. The Colorado peniten-
tiary has the smallest per capita cost
of any state in the union.
l notice that Montrose is to have a
road gang this year from the peniten-
tiary and perhaps more work will be
done by them along the Grand river.
Two interesting resolutions were
passed this week by the Senate; one
calling for protective tariff for
potato HouT anu pOldto ctoiSH, thS
other demanding of the Tax Commits
sion that they call together the Coun-
ty Assessors immediately in order
that they may lower the present as
sessments. It is expected that cattle
will be assessed at around $500 and
Sheen S3.25; and where the assess
ment of land has been raised by the
Tax Commission, it will be put back
to its actual valuation. This last
resolution perhaps may not effect the
assessments and taxes for 1920, but
should be of very valuable assistance
in preparing the assessments for 1921.
Senator Tobin showed me some in
teresting figures today on the taxes
on the city Of Denver. These figures
showed the Denver taxes, not count
ing the state tax or special tax
amounts to 1926. 900, Of which 49,,
1000 were spent for schools and
other words, the taxes for Denver
alone exceed the present state tax for
half.
The House has passed our railroad
rate bill ard the bill creating an ex.
ira Judge in the Seventh Judicial Dis
trict. The House originally took "
| the House bill by Representative Reece
| Of Rifle, which would require the rail
roads to make Is miles an hour wher
transporting live stock except where
| the Public Utilities Commission de
cided II was impracticable to maxi
that rate Of speed. II did not apply
to less than ten cars Of live stock OF
the train and time was taken out q
division points. The fact Of the mat
ter is that the House bill was SO full
Of jokers that they dropped It ans
passed the Senate bill which l drew
up without any amendments what
ever, feeling that 1t was absolutel,
| fair, that it took care Of one car o.
| live stock as well as forty, and it wa
operative on al the roads OF tn
state and it was felt that the railroad
\ themselves were willing and glad b
cooperate in carrying out the pro
i sions Of the bill.
i Another bill which has passed bot
/ houses Is that Increasing the royalty
which the school fund gets for Goa
mined on state lands, SO per cent.
discussed the question Of placing it o.
a percentage basis with the author
of the bill with the idea that
would be more fafr and bring in
greater revenue to the school fund
but while these gentlemen agreed wit
me q to the results, they sisted thu
lie could not be done fn this bill b
eanse such . radical ehanse b Il