Arizona republican., 1922-03-30

The bill for the amendment Of the Improvement
Act is now in really serious position after what
had seemed an easy and triumphant passage OF both
houses and its receipt by the governor It is
back in the senate in the guise of House Bill II lit
was House Bin 3D. in circumstances which we shall
presently explain.
This bill originated in Tucson. though it means
much to ali ths cities and incorporated towns Of
Arizona to Phoenix the most Of all. There was
superstitious for its safety at Tucson the
Pima representatives. watch it closely
lest some thing happen to it. Even superstitious ap
prshenson some times rests Something
had nearly always happened to paving legislation in
ARIZONA for the last ten years 1t the happening
OF something--the unaccountabie dropping out in
previous legislature the competition provision that
House Bill was intended to restore.
The lobbyists were on hand as usual when the
bin was presented the second day OF the session.
rhey could not oppose the inclusion Of the amend
ment but they had ancther-the fiye-year guaranty
clause which would have made competition more diff
ficult than ever This amendment promptly
jected by the house. the bill was passed unanimously
and was sent to the senate where, after delay
and with what seemed to be unessential amendment,
it was passed and sent to the governor.
One OF the senate amendments was the striking
Ings with respect to paving project in Tucson that
had already been taken If validated property owners
along the project would have been saved the paItry
sum OF about 5000.
The title of the bill, as the constitution requires
contained reference to this clause. But when the
clause was stricken the reference allowed to
remain and in that shape the bill went to the gov
ernor, whence it was later recalled for correction
Hence the present situation
The bill should not have been recalled. The
supposed defect was offensive only to the eye and
not to the constitution The latter only requires that
the title Of a bill must contain reference to what
is in the BILL and for that requirement there is a
very good But there is specific prohibi-
ton against reference the title something that
Is not In the bill itself. No court in Christendcm
would have held this act to be invalid But the bill
was returned and attempt at needless correc-
ton was made when the discovery made that the
legislature was attempting surgical operation on
what was regarded corpse.
Then the legislation was begun de House
Bin II was introduced and hurriedy passed under
series Of suspensions Of the rules It is now in the
senate in this situation: There is now probability
OF the opporition to it of an indefinite number of
members estimated at not less than five Certain
.,;o,raonts and some injection Of partisan politics
this flgure until now ~ 10 diA"SS CS to
that the bill cannot be passed il at all. by suffi-
n+ majority to carry the emergency clause. With
ont that clause paving under it would be held up for
three months and we suspect, very much longer for
Il NAV be expected that those opposed to it viii not
10 neglectful Of their opportunity under the ref
erendun Then the operation OF the law would be
DELAYED at least until the end OF the year.
AID we would not be hopeful of the result Of an
. - he hin our beneficent referendum
nnosed to be to guard the people against improper
legislation launched by legislature for the benefit
~ powerf interests But it is the powerful interests
rhcb have always made the greater use OF the ref
oendu relying upon their superior facilities for IN
vokng it and upon the growing tendency OF the peo-
no i, their neglect or apathy to let initiated or
referred measures fall
So it is possible, indeed very probable tnat
,,ouse Bill II should be referred it would fail and we
yold have to wait for competition in paving unlii