The Colorado statesman., 1923-01-27
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STATE CAPITOL
NEWS LETTER
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on the administrative code.
There are dozens of bills in both
branches looking to amending laws al
ready on the statute books. These
amendments are largely relative to le-
gal procedure and courts.
Seventeen measures introduced by
Representative Mrs. L. c. Wilson of
Teller county make changes in the
state law giving women equal rights
with men in every particular.
Senator Francis ]. Knauss, Republic
an, Denver, believes that the United
States constitution isn't sufficiently
understood, so he has a bill to compel
its teaching in private and public
schools.
Governor Sweet asked that the ad-
ministrative code measure be given
fair treatment in the State Legislature
by being fully discussed along with the
Lambert consolidation bill before eau
Gus rule was resorted to.
A bill was introduced in both houses
to prevent the promiscuous sale of
firearms and provides for licensing all
dealers and permits carrying a gun by
citizens only on written order by
chiefs of police or sheriffs.
OF the 1,016 bills in the Legislature,
not more than 200 probably will be fin
ally passed. Some of the legislators
are inclined to think this number is
far too high. Unquestionably the gov
ernor will veto some of those that do
pass.
Senator John F. Coss, Democrat,
Walsenburg, has Il bill providing for
the State Land Board to spend $4,000
to drill experimental wells on dry land.
The idea is to have the state determine
where water is available in the non-ir-
rigating sections. The wells would be
on state lands.
An idea of the demand of inst1tu-
tions is seen in that of the Pueblo hos
pital. For 1923 the sum of S499,550 is
asked and for 1924 the sum of $529,25O,
making a total of $1,02S,S00. To this
must be added special requests that to-
tai S49S,50O, reaching the grand total
of $1,527 300.
The bonus bill provides for the pay
ment of $15 per month to every eX-
service man for every month or frac-
tion of a month spent in the service of
our country in the World War. This
would cost in the neighborhood of SS,-
100000 and it provides for the issuance
of bonds to this amount. If this meas
ure passes the Legislature it will be
submitted to the people ut the general
election in 1924.
Civil service seems to be extremely
unpopular with Republicans and Dem
ocrats alike in the Twentyfourth Gen
eral Assembly, hence the governors
administrative bill will unquestionably
find hard shedding when it comes up
for consideration. The bill provides
for the creation of nine departments
in the consultations of various Du-
reaus, boards and commissions, ana the
abolishment of some seventy such
branches, but it puts the nine commits
sioners, heads of these nine new de-
partments, under civil service.
Rather gloomy reports are made by
legislators from the agricultural dis
tricts. These reports show that the
farmer is actually up against it and
that accounts for him turning to any
party of candidate that promises him
some relief. Increasing taxation and
lowering prices of products, high
freight rates, shortage of cars and high
interest on loans form the basis of
nearly all complaints of the farmer
Legislators from the farming districts
have come to Denver determined to do
something to relieve the agriculturist
Senator William II. Adams, Demo-
crat, Alamosa, is serving his thirty
eighth year in the State Legislature.
He is noted for the few bills that he
puts in, there having been sessions
when his name was not attached to
one bill. This season he has one-to
appropriate 100000 for a State Nor
NAL School in Alamosa.
Considerable interest is being mani
tested among the Legislators In the
House bill that amends the workmen's
compensation law. Now the payment
of compensation does not begin until
ten days after the accident, and the
amendment cuts the time to three
days. The present law makes the limit
$40 a week and the amendment raises
the sum to $15.
The Farmers Union is taking live
ly interest in the present session of the
Legislature. The cooperative market
ing bill. the bill prohibiting discrimin-
alton IN buying, the bill calling for
railroad cars within five days after re-
oajnt of notice and the hill that prohih
Its discrimination in the distribution
of cars are four in which the farmers
vitally are interested. There are doz-
en- or more measures of more or less
Importance.