San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-21
CONSTITUTIONAL
.CONVEN T|ON IS
FIRMLY OPPOSED
Legislature Will Take Up
Text Book Contract
Middle Next.
ANTI-KLAN BILL PENDING
Flood Control Measure Car
ries Appropriation
g.. of 100000.
ANTI-KLAN BILL PENDING

ing next Monday, they will encounter
some of the most important PROPOSE
tons that are 10 be disposed of during
the regular session. So far the Legis-
lature has accomplished as much, if
not more, than the average body of
Texas lawmakers, there having been
passed fifteen bills in the House and
ten in the Senate; but with one or two
exceptions, the measures disposed of
have been local acts, opSr which there
was no opposition. Three hundred and
twenty bills have so far been introduced,
los in the Senate and 49, in the
House.
Probably the most important propo-
sitions TO be disposed of net week is
the text book contract muddle. The
Laird House concurrent resolution, pro-
viding for searching investigation into
the awarding of the text book contract
by the State Text Book Commission, is
scheduled TO come up for consideration
Monday morning. The resolution pro-
vides for the appointment of a joint
legislative committee of five representa-
tiyes and three senators, 10 conduct
the investigation.
Governor TO Send Message.
When this resolution came up last
Monday, it was stated on the floor that
Governor Neff had indicated that he
would send message to the Legislature
on the subject, so action was then de-
ferred. There are also pending in com
nittee on education two bills by Rep
rcsentatiye Pope of Nueces, which, il
enacted, would have the effect of abro-
eating the text book contracts made re-
volYing $1,S00,000 of new books. The
committee also deferred action on these
bills, until the arrival of the COVER
nors message.
The question Of holding a constitu-
tional convention in Texas has been vir-
tually settled as far as the Thirty-eighth
Legislature is concerned. The Oppo-
sition TO the holding of a constitutional
convention was so strong that the pro-
ponents OF the proposition gladly COM
promised, by proposing that the Ques-
ton as to whether or not there shall
be a constitutional convention shall be
submitted 10 a vote of the people at
the next geenral state election in No
vember, 1924. At the same time the
people will vote for delegates to the
convention so that il the people decide
in favor of the convention, the delegates
will already have been elected. Should
they vote against a constitutional con-
vention, then there will be no need of
the delegates. A joint resolution en-
bodying the compromise is being pre-
pared by Representative Hendricks of
Ellis and will be called up for COnsid-
Grafton in the House not earlier than
next Wednesday, according to Repre-
sentative ROuntress of Bryan. As all
sides are agreed. the resolution is virtu
ally certain of adoption.
Interest in Winfree Resolution.
Considerable interest is being mani
Tested in the House concurrent resUiu-
ton by Winfree of Harris, proposing a
legislative investigation of the Standard
Oil and its alleged subsidiaries in Tex
as. The resolution is scheduled for hear
ing on Monday morning at 8 o'clock,
before House Committee on Commerce |
and Manufacturing, where it was refer !
red when introduced.
1t calls for he appointment Of n |
legislative committee of five represCn- |
tatives and three senators, vested with |
judicial powers, to conduct the probe. |
While the resolution has many sup
porters, there is some doubt of its GdOp- |
ton by both branches of the Legisla-
ture.
Indications are the Legislature viii |
authorize the establishment of the West |
Texas State College. The sentiment in
both branches of the Legislature seems |
crafty in favor of the bill introduced |
by Bledsoe in the Senate, and Chitwood |
in the House. Favorable committee re-
ports have been obtained from the Sen
ate and House Committees on Educa-
ton. The Chitwood bill has been made /
a special order in the House for next
morning which means it will
have the right of way over all other
measures. Such a bill was passed at
the last session Of the Legislature and
vetoed by the governor on the grounds
Of insufficiency Of funds.
Revenue Measures i'm Committee.
Most Of the revenue-producing meas
lres that have been so far introduced
are still in committee. but they are eX-
pected to be brought out during the next
week House Committee on Revenue
and Taxa tion have these measures. The
Nelson of Hopkins, bill, lcvying a two
cent a gallon tax on gasoline. which is
expected TO produce S2,OO0OOO annual
" in revenue for the maintenance of
roads. has been referred to sub-cOm-
nittee as was also the bill Of Rogers
IF Harris, proposing per cent tax
m tobacco and snuff. The Coffee bill,
increasing the gross production tax on
vi from / IL to j. per cent, is also
before House Committee on Revenue
Ind Taxation.
There is every indication that COM
promise will be reached on the Coffee
vii, wherein the proposed tax will be
ut from 3 to 8 or . IL. Oil pro
lucers generally deCalre that 10 i'm
lose 5 per cent tax on the indus
ry will mean its ruin in Texas. 1t is
Tot likely the Legislature would pass
bill imposing such a heavy tax. The
patman of Cass, bill. extending the [
PROVISIONS of the intangible asset tax I
aw so as to include nineteen additional
Industries to its provisions. was also
efore the House Committee on Rcve-
me and Taxation. This is the bill
which Patman says. il enacted. will
lroYide not less than S10,0000000 in
evenue. At present the intangible as
ct law takes in only railroads and fer
les.
Representative johnson Of Gillespie.
aid he expected to call up next week I
is blue sky bill and obtain a commit ;
ee report thereon. This is one of the
most drastic pieces of blue sky legisla I
ion that has yet been attempted in