The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1926-01-07
Last Day of Remarkable
Session Shows Wide Diff
ferences Of Opinion
WRITES RECORD OF
AMAZING DOINGS
Moulton Prepares State
ment of Position of Solons
on Hartley's Plans
by Richard Hamilton

by Richard Hamilton
Washington's special session of the
legislature is in the last day of it's
constitutional life, and will go into
the records as the hottest, most bitter
session since the first territorial as
sembly convened. It must be recorded
as a session of amazing doings. More
over, it split the republican party,
rebuked and repudiated the governor,
and deliberately wrote record for
submission to the people at the polls
to decide whether the governor or the
resentful legislature was right.
It was called by Governor Hartley
to receive and enact "plan of busi-
ness administration" While the full
story is not yet available, hasty,
highlight review shows that Mr.. Hart
ley's program was left on the rocks
that the governor was scorned,
beaten Or compromised on his major
recommendations.
Briefly, the main features Of the
truly extraordinary session are:
Mr.. Hartley was scorned and side
tracked on his demand for cut in
the highway program. He wanted the
program reduced to $10,00O,OO0 a
biennium. The legislature favored the
program that approaches $50 O,OOO
biennium.
Mr.. Hartley drew a compromise,
but bordering on defeat, In his de-
mand to stop state reclamation.
Mr.. Hartley was badly defeated on
his school program. The legislature
scorned state printing of state school
books, refused to act upon the rec
ommendation to make the school SUI
perintendent appointive, declined to
consider the proposal to place all ed
ucation under one big board.
Not only did the legislature refuse
Mr.. Hartley's school proposals, but
forced him to permit enactment OF
millage levies for schools that will
yield an annual increase of about
$3.50, 1000 and a capital outlay budget
for 81 800, 900 contrary to his
demands.
The governor was defeated in his
demands for changes in the laws that
regulate the sale of state timber, al
tho he virtually charged irregularity.
Instead, the legislature commended
Land Commissioner Savidge, voted
confidence in the present system and
Mr.. Hartley.
Mr.. Hartley's recommendations for
putting stability behind local I'M
provement bonds were partially
granted. The bills have not yet been
enacted, but it is certain that the
legislature will not include provl-
sion to compel cities to pay up on
: defaulted bonds. Several other MINOR
recommendations by the governor
relating to courts, institutions. etc.,
were met part way.
Mr.. Hartley delivered four mes,
sages, most of which bristied, ana
the legislature handed the governor
several rebukes.
The governor was rebuked by reso-
luton for "abusing" privileges, cnarg-
ing discourtesy and an attempt "
invade the rights of the Legislative
branch. 1t pictured Mr.. Hartley as a
would-be dictator. No governor OF
Washington, nor perhaps, of any otn-
er state, was handed such stlnglng
censure -,
Mr.. Hartley was also formally
scored on his business survey, u
state institutions. A committee OF Tue
house, declared the survey was su-
perficial" and the findings mlsieau-
ing.
Besides. Mr.. Hartley advised
against Investigations, but the ieg-
islature arranged for several lnVesti-
cations, Committees have been au,
sthorized to investigate the Jute mli'
at the penitentiary, state reclama tion'
: the sale of state timber and 20 COL
+. duct an investigation or survey y
state institutions. =,
. The climax of the session came on
the 59th day, when the house, unoet
the leadership of RepresentatlVe
Mark Reed. created new records, new
precedents and completely over,
whelmed Mr.. Hartley on educatlonal
money. bills. Briefly. the majority
changed rules, over-ruled the speak
er-Mr. Danskin of Spokane-reco!l.
sidered sustained vetoes. Wnlcn y
without precedent, and re-passeu Ihe
Sutton millage bill and supplemental
.buduat II was Mr.. Hartley's mos,