The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1925-11-19
Session Will Last Until
Christmas with Work
L. in Sight Now 90,
ALL OBJECT TO ANY
CUT IN ROAD FUNDS
CIR. Correspondent Re-
views Work of First Ten
Days of Session ss.

Len udyS OI the SpcCtdl S6SSlOu VI
the Legislature have passed without
creating the excitement that was ex.
pected. The Legislators are still en-
gagged in feeling out" Governor
Hartley and the people, indicating
a tendency to temper their outspoken
resentments against Governor Hart
ley's message at the time of presen-
tation. But most of the Legislators are
still waiting to hear from home.
Governor Hartley is also playing
waiting game, claiming that he is en-
couraged by Hundreds of letters
from all parts of the state" in sup
port of his message. He has made il
plain that "for the present, it is up
to the lawmakers" indicating that he
intends to call for action if the legis-
lators undertake to forget some Of
his recommendations. 1t is obvious,
to any close observer here, that Gov
ernor Hartley feels he is strong with
the taxpayers, and that he intends to
tplay with the people" rather than
with the legislature.
1t has also been shown by the gov
ernor that he intends to fight. The
reclamation issue was the first raised,
by the appearance of the Banker hill,
and the governor Immediately STEP
ned out to meet it. Through Erie
Barnes, director of reclamation, Gov
ernor Hartley demanded "public
hearing" which was granted andahe
administration forces are preparing
to paint gloomy picture of state,
reclamation. That is, reclamation
districts in which the state has mon
ey invested. Moreover, Gov. Hart
ley is certain to veto the Banker bill,
if it passes, and votes are being mus
tered to sustain the veto. =
Legislators have forgotten the idea
of getting home in time to help with
the Christmas shopping. They are
now planning to get home in time to
look like present from Santa Claus
and then, perhaps, rush back to
Olympia to finish the job. Only an
unexpected move or development-or
a rush of night works likely to
bring adjournment within go DAYS
from the start.
Probably the strongest sentiment
in the Legislature, as well as indicated
by the state at large. is on highways.
1t now seems certain that Governor
Hartley's recommendation for reduc-
tion of the highway program is re-
garded as "going too far" So, unless
the governor makes another move,
the program will be left unchanged.
If he makes an attempt to force re-
duction, it will make hot fight, with
Governor Hartley having little chance
of getting more than a compromise.
Senator Carlyon, Olympia, and Sena-
tor Oliver Hall, Colfax, masters Of
the highway program in the legisla-
ture, are out to fight the governor on
his highway plans.
Governor Hartley's appointees,
whose names have been submitted to
the senate for confirmation. have
been placed on the anxious seats
especially Erie Barnes, head of ag-
riculture and reclamation. They viii
doubtless be confirmed, but some Of
the senators want confirmation held
up for while-a club dangling over
Governor Hartley.
King county legislators are, as u.s.
ual, pulling apart. Most of the sena-
tors-particularly Conner. Houser,
Gross and Wray-have snuggled up
to Governor Hartley, or trying to
snuggle up to the. governor, who is
holding aloof from legislators. On the
other hand, the representatives, head
ed by Pliny Allen and Geo. Meacham,
are plainly out to hook the governor.
Both in the senate and house, how
ever, the King county legislators are
Outsiders so far as the controlling
organizations are concerned.
1t is beginning to look as If there
will be a fight to open up the state
timber on the Olympia Peninsula,
which is estimated to total more than
two hundred million dollars at present
values, to competitive bidding. The
idea was recommended by Governor
Hartley, who suggested that logging
railways, now controlled by private
interests around the timber, be made
semi-common carriers. The theory be-
ing that new firms, which are with
out railways on the Peninsula, would
bid for the timber. A move to carry
out Governor Hartley's idea was
started today by Senator Oliver Nor
ris of Grays Harbor. who, in letter
to the governor, asks for bill and
offers to sponsor it in the senate.
r. &c 1ikalv IN he hard fiUht