The Colorado statesman., 1923-02-03
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STATE CAPITOL
NEWS LETTER
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states when the Senate adopted a joint
resolution against any further moves
of the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion to fix the valuations OF railroads
In their entirety instead of by states
traversed by the roads.
Senator David Elliot, Republican,
Colorado Springs, reported for duty
after weeks absence. He has had a
slight attack of the grip and his ply
slcian decided that he should stay
home and be treated. He is chairman
of the Senate printing committee.
Former Governor Shoup and Gov
ernor Sweet both urged upon the Colo
rado Legislature speedy ratification of
the Colorado river agreement at the
opening of the present session. Meas
ures are pending for the solons' con-
sideration as soon as they can be
reached on the calendar.
Senator ]. Frank Coss, Democrat,
Walsenburg, wants President Harding
to call the leading nations together
and settle the troubles in Europe. 4
joint resolution carrying this desire
was introduced by the senator in The
Senate and under the rules went over
for action. He names the city OF Wash
ington as the place for holding the
conference, with the date left open for
the President to fill in.
Charges that more than $4,000 Is
being wasted in legislative printing
will be submitted to a joint meeting
of the printing committees of the
House and Senate by Senator Henry
Wolcott Toll of Denver, Republican.
THE legislative printing which is done
under contract providing for payment
for each page, is wasteful in the ex-
treme," Senator Toll said. Il believe
that if economy is insisted on the saw
ing which would result would be much
the Legislature"
What is known as the short appro-
priatiOn bill was passed on third and
final reading by the Senate, ana, as
it originated and was passed in the
House, it now goes TO the governor for
his signature. Governor Sweet has the
authority to cut out any single item
and then approve the bill. This bill
pays the administrative and legislative
December, January, February and
March, at the expiration of which time
the appropriation bill for the biennial
period probably will have been passed.
Bills introduced in both the State
Senate and House of Representatives
if they become laws, will give power
to the State Public Utilities Commits
sion to have almost unlimited jurisdic-
ton over motor vehicles used on high
ways in transportation. Such vehicles
will be in the same class as railroads
and will be classed as common car
riers The laws have been urged by
county commissioners, public utility
commissioners, railroad officials and
others interested in the highways of
the state and transportation facilities
of Colorado, and by those seeking more
revenue for the state without resort
ing to taxes.
Harry Il. Niven, representative from
Boulder county, has found there are
thirteen men in the Senate and sixteen
men in the House, or a total of twenty
nine out of the hundred members or
the Legislature, who are farmers.
There is no other occupation with so
many members, and this is taken by
the Boulder representative to show
that the people want farmers in the
Legislature to give them laws that will
aid the farmers. Presidents of the
towns of Colorado realize fully that the
prosperity of the state depends upon
the products of the soil and that where
the farmer is down, there can be moth
ing up" said Mr.. Nevin.
An executive order abolishing the
state ranger force on Feb. l was is
sued by Gov. William f. Sweet. The |
order was sent to Col. Paul p. Newton, |
adjutant general, and he Immediately |
prepared letters to the thirty-seven |
members of the force notifying them |
of their dismissal. Governor Sweet al |
so directed that all ranger equipment |
be stored and that he be furnished |
with an inventory as soon as possible.
With the dismissal, Governor Sweet |
called attention to the Indebtedness of |
approximately $4,000, incurred for the
maintenance of the rangers during De
cember and February.
The House passed four appropriation
measures on second reading. They
were: II. b. 81, by Huffacker of Sail
da-Appropriating $1,000 for deflcIen-
cy at state reformatory. II. Il %, by
Hoffacker-Appropriat 100000 for
conducting reformatory during the
months of December, January, Febru-
ary and March. II. b. 10, by Lacy of
Grand Junction-Approprla $1,000
for deficiency at state home for mental
detectives at Ridge, Colo. ii. b. 100,
by Linkins of Fremont county-Appro-
priating $4,000 for conducting the
penitentiary during the months of De-
cember, January, February and March.
A committee to investigate the state