Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-05-13
Legislature Facing
Tremendous Task in
Closing Eight Days
BY X. w. R
Associated Press Staff Writer.

AUSTIN. May 13.-R-If the
legislature can wind up prison cor
c~entration. effect organization of a
state board Of education in compli-
snce with the constitutional amend
ment voted last November and pass
gasoline tax and automobile regis
tration fee bills in the eight remain
ing days of the special session it
may rightfully ask for a place in the
sun.
It Is believed a real genuine eff
fort will be made 70 dispose OF peni-
tertiary concentration. hanging fire
ever since Gov. Moody became chief
executive.
The house has gone on record al
most unanimously that the system
should be centralized on lands now
owned by the state. The senate. II
IL follows the desire OF Gov. Moody
as expressed in the Holhrook bill.
will favor retaining the Darlington
and Ramsey farms and permitting a
board to sell the other holdings.
and. If necessary. buy outside prop
critics as a site for the central
prison. There is a movement on
foot now to compromise differences
by providing that should the prison
board find IL would not be 70 the
best interests Of the taxpayers 70
c~ontralize on present owned prop
erty II should pick a location and
submit all plans TO the legislature
for ratification.
The house has always stood for
placing 'Elenary power" in the leg
islature. 1t was this contention.
backed up by former Speaker Lee
Satterwhite. that prevented the 4Oth
legislature from starting the wheels
Of reorganization in motion.
1t Is believed that should prison
legislation fail. this session, Gov.
Moody will take the matter TO the
people, with at least three strong
speeches on the subject. 1t is known
some Of his friends are urging him
TO do this. believing that when the
people get the facts Of the prison
situation from his lips, sentiment
will force the legislature to carry out
his wishes in enacting corrective
measures.
It looks as II there may be a slip
IN getting the educational bills over.
The senate has engrossed its bill
providing for a board of education
OF nine members. the super'ntend-
ent of public instruction TO be ap-
pointive. The house bill. sent from
the committee. provides for the
superintendent to be elected as at
present. The house membership
seems TO be pretty well settled on
this poing. The animosity OF friends
Of Supt. S. M. N. Mars was aroused
bv action Of the senate in providing
that TO be eligible 10 hold the super
intendency one must have a master
Of arts degree. Superintendent
Marrs does not have one. and his
friends stated this was intended as
a dart at him.
Some believe the remaining time
of the session is too short to get the
easoline tax and registration fee
bills through. There r some who
want a so per cent reduction in
registration fees and others who are
contendinE a 20 per cent cut Is SUI
ficient. Some want a three cent
gasoline tax. others believed a four
cent levy is imperative. and still n
other faction will say the present
two cent tax Is enough. Unless there
IS a change in attitude 1t will re-
uuire more time than is left to con-
slider these two revenue raising
measures and at the same time &C
cord courtesy recognition TO men,
bers who are pilcting local bills
through.