Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1929-02-22
WASHINGTON SESSION
GOADED BY HARTLEY
Leaders Will Attempt Speed;
School Taxation Proves
Very Troublesome.
Taxation Vexes Legislature - Minor
Hartley Bills Pass-State Always
Advoeated-Police May Serve War
rants-severe Law for Drunk Driv-
Ing = Road Extensions Favored -
School Measure Still Unsettled.

Olympia, Wash.-Goyernor Hartley
has taken steps to speed up the Wash
fngton legislature. The rules commit
tee of both houses responded by pro-
viding longer calendar. Seemingly
displeased by the legislatures go.easy
policy Mr.. Hartley invited a confer.
ence with the contact committees Of
the senate and house and, in the pres.
ence of his cabinet. Inquired of the
legislative leaders as to the whero.
abouts OF the many bills that make
up the administrations program.
Conflict over the Showalter program
for reconstruction of the common
schools system has suddenly become
the most painful thorn in the side of
the legislature. II now looms more
troublesome than the Hartley tax pro-
gram, disputes over new highways,
proposals for increases in the gaso-
line tax. revision Of the executive bud
gets, etc, each of which is giving the
legislature varied measure of grief.
Supporters of the Showalter school
program. headed by DR.. Showwalter
and Senator Sutton. chairman of tie
senate education committee, raised a
storm against the proposal for n two.
year postponement by. referring the
bill to an interim commission. Mr..
Sutton called conference, rebuked
A. l.. Rogers, Waterville, who launch
ed the postponement plan and served
notice that the bill to reorganize the
common school system would be
pushed in this session of the legis
iature to the finish"
Taxation Big Problem.
Both DR.. showalter and Mr.. Sutton
Indicated distrust of the plan for re-
ferring the bill to an interim com.
mission, regarding 1t as scheme for
slow death. The bill would change
the school system from top to bottom,
seeking to redistribute the annual s26,.
100000 costs to help needy districts
and thereby equalize opportunities for
elementary education.
Likewise. the Hartley plan for 5
per cent excise tax on all financial
institutions is weakening. to the dis.
comfort Of the legislature. Up to a
few days ago 1t looked as IL Governor
Hartley would have easy sailing with
his excise tax bill.
But representatives OF the savings
associations poured into Olympia 10
protest the excise tax, claiming it
would practically ruin some of the in.
etitutions, and they were supported by
local baclSfires-letters from home to
the legislatures.
The savings associations plainly
scored at the public hearing Friday
night, at which they were represent.
ed by battery of outstanding attor-
neys The commercial banks failed
TO participate in the hearing, leaving
the impression that they were salts.
fled.
Some Administration Measures Pass.
On the floor both houses. respond.
ing to the tip from Mr.. Hartley for
action on executive bills. began to
PASS some of the minor measures OF
the administration program. The
house, by nearly unanimous vote.
passed the governors bill for aboli.
tion of the state fisheries board, which
would place fisheries business direct
ly under the governor. It was the
first executive request" to be grant
ed by the house.
-Four executive request" bills we're
passed by the senate, abolishing tile
state fair, merchant and agricultural
funds aud shifting their money 10 the
general fund. But the senate did not
yield wholly to Mr.. Hartley. While
passing The executive bills, the senate
went contrary 10 recommendation
of the governor by passing a commit
tee bill to suspend the Mmili reclama.
tion levy for two years, Instead Of
abollshing IT, as requested by Mr..
Hartley
Moreover, The senate differed with
the governor by voting 10 add two
new roads Of Whaicom, sAaeil and
King counties to the state highway
system. The upper chamber revived
the state preferential bill. which
would give Washington manufacturers
and contractors an edge OF 8 per cent
on contracts with state and municipal
agencies. Tie bill was defeated Fri.
day, won reconsideration Saturday and
was made a special order for Tues
day
State Airway Advocated.
The legislature, which for years