Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1929-02-15
MUCH WORK BEFORE
OLYMPIA LAWMAKERS
Members Decide to Expedite
Delayed Business; Tax
alton Proves Puzzle.

Caution Delays Business - Halfway
Mark Passed - Road Budget to See
Changes-Autos must Have Permit
and certficate-New Hishways-
Hartley Cut In School Appropriation
Annoys Regents.
Olympia. Wash.--Playtime is end
ing for the Washington legislature,
Five big Jobs will combine TO lay
heavy hand on the legislature when
1t resumes Wednesday. after four
weeks of lackadaisical going, capped
by four-day lay-off. and leaders of
both houses have tacitly agreed that
II is time to knuckle down If even half
of the piled-up business is to be
handled before final adjournment.
An overtone of disappointment per.
vaded the legislature as the aftermath
OF Governor Hartley's message on tax
alton.
The legislators don't want to have
to admit, at the end of the session.
that they have again wrestled with
taxation, and again have been thrown.
But every indication was that the
program presented by the governor
AN excise tax to plug up the hole
that national and state banks have
punched in the bank tax laws, and an
Advisory commission of nine. to in,
vestigate and report to the next legis-
lature on a possible general revision
of tax laws-will be the plan adopted.
The governors bills covering both
these subjects appeared in the house
introduced under the name of Speaker
Davis.
Both were referred to the commit.
tees on revenue and taxation and
banks and banking for joint consider.
alton.
Delay Result of Caution
Much of the tagging. which has been
so evident as to arouse some criti-
cism of the legislature, particularly
by those who have been unable to
make progress with pet bills. has been
due to a policy of safety. The game
Of those who are running the works
has been to hold back bills and pro.
posals that might displease Governor
Hartley, the leaders, irrespective OF
personal feelings or political purposes,
being determined by common consent
to avoid vetoes or outspoken criticisms
of the Hartley administration. There
fore, every bid that seemed to carry
bit OF kick in It was carefully tuck.
ed away for the rules committee.
But with the session at the half
way point and with the Hartley pro-
gram and bills fully submitted, there
no LONGER is any excuse for lettering
and both houses are ready to settle
down to business. Most of the pri
vate bills, except lot of trivial meas
ures of local interest, will be kept on
tic shelf and the leaders will concen
trate on the sS7,OOO0OO general bud
get. the s2i.O0O,0OO road program. the
Hartley GENERALIZATION bills, the Hart.
ley tax program and the Showalter
plan for reorganization of the com
rion schools system.
Road Program viii See Changes
Both budgets are in for some tink
ering and changing, however. That is
particularly true OF the road budget.
Most of the legislators. even those who
are listed as Hartley loyallsts, are re
luctant to give up the privilege, or
what they regard as a legislative pre-
rogatiye, OF apportioning and shifting
r5ad funds II is almost certain, too
that the governors set-up of the s24..
100000 road program will be chang.
ed considerably when II is left ON the
executive table. The same may be said
for the general budget. The idea, OF
course Is for the legislators to claim
they made good. leaving it up to the
governor to take the responsibility oil
nulllfying their promises
Action TO prevent Washington auto
mobile owners from buying licenses in
states charging lower fees was taken
BY the senate with the adoption of a
measure requiring registration of non
resident motor vehicles.
Motorists entering from other states
would be required TO register within
seventy-two Hours. obtaining a non
resident permit. Sponsors Of the bill
said hundreds of Washington-ownet
cars bore California license plates
causing a great loss in revenue to thu
state. The permit system provided ii
the bill would enable enforcement o
the present law requiring a Washing
ton license for cars in the state NOR,
than ninety days
Motorists entering frequently from
states bordering Washington could OBJ
tain one permit good for the enttr,
year.
Foreign Autos Must Register.
Automobile owners also would be re
. ouirsd 10 Obtain certificates of It'll