The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1922-04-21
NEW PLAN FOR
LEGISLATIVE
REVISION
Conference of State Legislators Cal
led for Spokane April. 26. In
duced by Palmer Bill.

4PiS'0 ie'iSioh VI tne state leglS-
lature, based on the principle of one
legislative body of 60 to 70 members
instead of senate and house of rep-
resentatives, will be considered bv
Legislators of all parts of the state in
Spokane April 26 at conference cal
led to decide upon a plan of reappor-
tlonment as an alternative to the Pal
mer bill, now before the people as an
initiative measure. The conference.
was called by Senator Charles f. My
ers, Davenport; Representative Fred
Wolf, Newport; representative Floyd
Danskin, Spokane, and Senator L. L.
Westfall, Spokane.
The invitation, which has been sent
to all legislators in eastern Washing
ton and several of the West Side.
reads, in part:
'In view of the fact that the oues-
ton of legislative reapportionment
has been called to the attention of the
voters of the state by the Senator
Palmer initiative measure, the under
signed deemed it advisable to start an
intelligent discussion of the entire
question, if possible, involving the
question of the constitutionality of
reapportionment at this time and of
an initiative measure for that pur-
pose.
eff reapportionment is to be had
is the present provision of the consti-
tuition for that purpose satisfactory
one, and if not, what basic changes
should be made thereto?
"Should the county governmental
unit be substituted for the present
district unit of representation
"Would unicameral legislative
body be more desirable than the BIZ
cameral, now provided for?
"Should longer sessions be permit
ted when deemed necessary?
"Should a state legislature be real
ly deliberative body?
Senator F. B. Pal ner, Seattle, who
initiated the reapportionment bill, has
been especially invited to the Spo-
kane conference. Senator Carlyon,
Olympia, has already agreed to at
tend. Senator Ralph Metcalf, Taco
ma, will also be invited. The con-
venors of the conference have ad-
vised that the conference is not called
merely to work against reapportion-
ment, but to agree upon plan Of re-
apportionment acceptable to all parts
of the state.
Senator Westfall will submit the
plan for reorganization of the legis-
lature, which plan, or any other plan,
if adopted, will be turned over to a
committee for preparation for sub
mission to the 1923 legislature. If
adopted by the Legislature, the plan,
which would require an amendment to
the constitution, would go to the vot-
ers in the 1924 election.
~ feel, as many have emphasized,
that there should be more direct
government by the state legislature,
and less switching to and supplement-
ing by federal legislation" Senator
Westfall said. 81 also believe that,
aside from having fixed sessions, or
on receipt of message from the gov
ernor and consideration of anual bud
gets, the legislature should fix the
time of sessions, adjournment and re-
converting. The legislature should al
so recess as required.
"This plan would be based on the
county unit of representation, each
of the 80 counties having at least one
representative, with a single body
legislature of from 60 to 70 men,
bers. The term of legislator would
be from four to six years. This sys-
tenn would develop better qualified
legislators"
The conference is to be held in the
assembly rooms of the Spokane
Chamber of Commerce, to begin at 2
o'clock. Senator Westfall issued the
invitations to senators, while Repre-
sentative Wolf sent invitations to rep
resentatives