The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1925-12-10
Second Message Drastic -
Tells Legislature to Get
Busy on His Suggestions
ACTION is TAKEN AS
DIRECT CHALLENGE
Resume of Speech and Pre-
diction of Action of the
Legislature
By Richard Hamilton

Governor Hartley's second message
to the special session is regarded as
call to action and a challenge, some
what more drastic than many legis-
lators thot he would dare to be. It
is, in measure, similar to his unus-
ual demand upon the regular session
last January. when he prorogued the
legislature to await "business sur
vey" and "plan of business opera
tion." The difference is merely in
direction, the objective being the
same-Mr. Hartley rising to declare
dominant leadership, holding himself
as the boss of the works. ..-
In the regular session, Mr.. Hart
ley tacitly conceded that he was not
ready and called upon the legislators
to go home-give him time to map
out future course for the state.
Now he holds that he knows what
should be done, calling upon the leg
islature to stay on the job and do it.
He tells the legislature to stop 'fig-
'noring and side-stepping," and stay
to take up these recommendations:
1. Place educational institutions
under centralized, coordinated con-
trol"-meaning one board of nine
members to rule the university, col
lege and normal schools.
2. Reorganization of the common
school system, beginning with con-
stitutional amendment to make the
office of superintendent of public in
struction appointive instead of cleo
tive.
8. State printing of grade school
books.
a. New laws to regulate the sale of
state timber; charging that ''the
state is not receiving full value of
it's land and timber" He pictures the
system as secretive, dark and sus-
ceptible to manipulation; demanding
that 81 want law that will tear the
mask off this timber business"
B. Reduction in the amount of mon
ey raised for highways, the cut to
De reflected in the program for the
coming biennium.
Mr.. Hartley's appearance and call
we're obviously calculated and timed
o hit the legislature at its weakest
ime. Representative Mark Reed and
he majority of the house had laid
'ut program that ignored these five
recommendations, virtually defying
dr. Hartley. Representative Ed Sims
nd his house minority drafted pro-
ram that let down Mr.. Hartley on
ducation and highways. Harmony
Tas taking hold Of the legislature,
lembers were beginning to talk the
anne language, preparing to go home,
'aving Mr.. Hartley to look upon a
1t of disregarded recommendations
Then came Mr.. Hartley, demanding
onsideration Of his recommenda-
ons, limiting determination to carry
ne issue into the legislative elections
checking, temporarily at least, the
,mmon plan to quit early, creating a
abel, confusion of tongues. Imme-
lately, the legislators said all sorts
things about Mr.. Hartley-rang-
g from Senator Hastings charac-
rization of ''the perfect nut" to
lat of Senator Christensen, demo-
at, who declared ''it takes a man
ke Hartley to tell the truth" These
70 observations formed the outside,
e inside being as clear and deter
Unable as the inside of hamburger
The question now hangs on the
IS of the observers: What will the
Continued on page six)