The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1923-01-26
BEING A REPORT OF THE ACTIVTTIESOF BOTH SENATE
AND HOUSE AT WEEK END ADJOURN
MENT FRIDAY, JANUARY IS
SENATE COMMITTEES
STUDY 26 MEASURES
IN FIRST TWO WEEKS

"a = 44Ah@ \
Helena, Jan. 13.-It probably Wi
not be until Wednesday that the sen
ate will be able to assume much acti
witty. Neither branch will reconven
after the Over-Sunday recess until !.
o'clock Monday, and a portion O
Tuesday will be used in a joint session
IN connection with the ceremonies in
cident to the decoration of Colonel AL
bert J. Galen for military honors.
Twenty-six upper house bills hac
been referred to committees by the
time adjournment had been taken OF
Friday morning, four of which were
bills relating to insurance, one Of
which was killed, and three recon.
mended for passage, with minol
amendments.
Early action on the part of the sen
ate has enacted three house bills into
laws, all being appropriation bills,
and all providing for per diem and
mileage of members of both houses.
per diem for officers and attaches. and
also for the incidental expense of the
Legislature. For per diem and mile
age for the members $4,000 has
been appropriated; $4,000 has been
appropriated for the per diem of the
officers and attaches, and $4,000 for
incidental expense, a total of $3.50, 1000
which IS practically the same total for
the same purposes as was appropriat-
ed by the legislature of two wears ago.
when the membership and list of en-
ployes was larger than for this ses-
sion.
Journalistic Utterances.
The greater portion of the senate
bills now in committee were introduce
ed and referred in the second week of
the session, only a few getting under
Roadway the first week. For that
matter it was until Wednesday Of the
present week that many bills were
started to the secretary's desk, as the
hrst three days Of the present week
were usurped for the most part in
discussions Of newspaper ethics, Mon
day beng the day when the senator's
extended a vote of confidence to them
selves, because of certain newspaper
atterahces.
What drastic action will take place
N the senate in this session remains
to be seen, and thus far nothing has
occurred to determine in the open
what is to be the program. It is gem
orally known, however, that the main
issues before the 18th legislative as
sembly are included in a revision of
he taxation laws, recommended by
he governor, not for the purpose of
creating additional taxes, but for the
purpose of equalizing the tax burden.
Revision of the present system of
'axation is to receive its start bv
changing the state board Of equaliza-
ion into state tax commission. That
S provided for in H. B. 5, by Swift,
md which is before the committee on
'evenue and taxation in the lower
'Ody. Probably the next of import
lnce is the proposed amendment of
he present inheritance tax law, a bill
or which, H. B. 40 by Mrs. Facey,
llso is with a committee in the lower
'ranch. The proposed state income
ak measure yet to appear, also is in
luded in the tax program for this
These measures providing
or state revenues, are required to
eceive their origin in the house. They
nay reach the senate some time in
he coming week. What attitude the
enate will take cannot be forecast, |
or in no event has there been a zero
our that would require an acid test. j
Have Support of People.
All these measures were made para
lOunt issues in the campaign last fall, Z
nd evidently met favor with the peo- /
lie, as was made apparent by the ma 9
Drity vote cast in favor Of the consti- \
ltional amendment providing for the
reation of the state tax commission.
he masses expect this legislature to a
zach such measures into laws, and I,
ready nearly all of the senators have
zen advised by their constituents ov- f
the state that they are expected to il
pport these bills when they are re- O.
Tired to respond to roll call. t:
Still another. measure affecting If
venue for the state is the proposal W
amend the constitution providing
r the tax on the proceeds of mines, pl
nator Taylor has given notice of W
a bill that will require a
( on the "gross" proceeds Of mines, of