San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-08-23
GALES To ASK
CONSTRUCTIVE:
REF D R NJ s
Mexico President Has Many
New Laws Under
Consideration.
By WILLIAM p. FLYTHE

Special Cssie to Universal Service.
MEXICO CITY, Aug. 22.-With
the opening of the Mexican Congress
September 1, President Gales is plan.
ming to go before 1t with a number of
constructive reforms. The majority
of these concern the Qualification of
the constitution of 1917 and it is conf
IDENTIFY believed he will be enabled to
carry his program through.
Not only will he have a safe working
majority in the so-called Socialist revo-
lutionary bloc, but he has kept recess
committees so active that the prelimi-
nary work will have been completed
before Congress convenes.
Most outstanding in the proposed
program are:
A clear definition of the application
of the celebrated article 81 of the
za-Revolutionary constitution.
This is the article by which the federal
government claims all sub-soil rights, a
thorn in the side of petroleum indus
try; also the act under which land is
appropriated. In many instances 1t
has been interpreted as retroactive.
And 1t has caused more friction with
foreign governments than any other.
The president wants to have the law
interpreted in such way that inves-
tors will not be in doubt as to the con-
ditions under which they are invest
ing.
PRESIDENT WILL DICTATE.
The budget ordinarily would take
precedence. But the last Congress
gave the president dictatorial powers
in the matter of finance and, it is be-
lieved, after hearing his report, will
renew this. A strong drive, probably
successful, will be made to give the
president dictatorial rights to reorgan-
ize the judiciary.
Labor legislation will be far-reach-
ing. There are now two clauses OF the
constitution which are in conflict. The
first, defining the rights of man, per-
mits strikes Internationally. A later
clause requires ten days notice to the
employer. This has caused much con-
flict within the ranks of labor.
A second bill on the labor subject
would provide employers liability ad-
ministeed by the government. EN-
\ ployers will be required to deposit with
Nhe government a sum proportiOnate
with their pay roll. Should they pre-
fer to have their liability insurance
handled by a private corporation, this
corporation will be required to make
ample deposits with the government
and the government will assume the
res possibility of making the payments.
Some reform in the mining laws is
said to be imperative and several bills
L. ~ tbie gfthforf
the moment many of the mines are
finding it impossible to operate. In
some instances mines are said to be
taxed as high as IS per cent OF the
profits. There are also labor regula-
tons that have proved extremely bur-
densome. These are largely state laws.
in conflict with the federal laws, and
an effort will be made to bring them
into workable harmony.
NEW BANKING LAW.
A new banking law will be enact.
ed. 1t will regulate the operations Of
private banks in their relations with
the proposed government Banco Unico,
or bank of issue, which is shortly to be
launched.
While President Gales has made 1t
plain from the outset that he does not
propose to WELD the whip over Con-
gress, but prefers to have it feel indie
pendent, his party following is such
that this will not be necessary. The
session is only to last four months.
The program is already clearly out
lined and steering committee has
mapped out its campaign. There will
be some debate, of course, but it is
believed the majority is so strong it
will be able to override any material
opposition and that when adjournment
comes the presidents policies will have
been enacted into law.