Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1929-03-21

| instead of horsepower, creating three
classes. 1t was believed that the rev
enue would not be materially changed.
The assembly declined two propo-
sails to license drivers and refused to
provide for compulsory automobile
liability insurance, but it strength
ened the provisions penalizing drunk
en- drivers and it added a require
ment that nonresident licenses must
be registered within two weeks after
they enter the state.
Criminal statutes were not mate
rally revised The most important
change was repeal of the indetermi-
nate sentence law. This was done at
the behest of stockmen who have ex-
pressed belief that the law was too
lenient to first offenders. A crime
commission was established to make
a survey of the present statutes and
recommend changes. A proposal for
creation of bureau of criminal iden-
| LITIGATION was turned down, as was
a measure to enact a habitual crimi-
nal law.
Willingness to tax themselves to
aid in crime prevention was evil
denced by stockmen's approval of spe-
cial levies on livestock, the proceeds
to be used for apprehension and con-
viction of cattle rustlers. The butcher
BILL designed to prevent thefts on UNI
watched herds, was strengthened.
County commissioners were en-
powered to appoint special deputy
sheriffs when necessary.
Measures Aiding Farmers.
Among numerous measures pro-
posed to aid the farmer two were out
standing. These provide that protein
content must be marked on storage
receipts from public warehouses and
that grain stored on farms may be
inspected and sealed by the state
commissioner of agriculture. The
farm storage law is expected by its
sponsors to make possible 1oans to
farmers on the stored grain and its
movement to market at advantageous
seasons.
A more extensive storage plan, con-
f LGIUDIdllIG Tile Observation-Disclosures o4 lSl
minal districts for warehousing, was
deferred until the farm storage plan
has been tried. Congress was asked
to revise grain grades to provide for
consideration of protein content OF
wheat and favor the industry in the
matter of tariff protection.
While there were many measures
offered and a number approved for
the benefit of education, the prin-
cipal result was an increase in maxi
mum levies which may be made for
common schools and for district and
county high schools. Qualifications
were established for county superin-
tendents and salaries raised in the
smaller counties. Legislation to fur
Their establishment and operation OF
junior high schools and junior col
leges fell by the wayside.
Other Educational Bills.
For institutions of higher learning,
| increased appropriations were made
available for the Billings normal and
the Havre college of agricultural and
manual training and a referendum
was submitted for 3-mill tax levy
to care for the operating needs OF
the university system for the 10 years
after the present levy expires.
While the levy is double the pres
emit tax for that purpose, the meas
ure proposes that it shall take care
of the two additional schools and the
agricultural and extension activities
operated in connection with the fed
eral government. These are not now
provided for within the university
levy. The senate was unimpressed
with argument for abandonment OF
the chancellorial system.
Labor's needs were recognized
through amendment of the work
mems compensation law in which in
creased benefits are given married
men and their dependents in case Of
injury or death. The scale remains
the same for single men. The penalty
for violation of the eight-hour law
was increased.
Progress of aviation was recog
nized by adoption of federal regula
tions for pilots and planes and by
provisions under which cities may &C
uuire land for airports and operate
them.
State Library Building.
Among other accomplishments OF
general interest were provision for Z
new building in the state capitol
group to house the state historical
library, creation of a state library
extension system, povision for state
and county parks, location of the
Lewis and Clark memorial at Fort
Benton, establishment of sanitary
regulations for tourist camps, extern
sion of the scope of the state bureau
of mines to include geological re-
search and establishment Of tan
merry at the state prison.