The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1929-04-05

which closed III IIe ulIuul0 VI NC :i'
review of the legislative activities
shows that other matters of state I'M
noratnce were not neglected.
Financial problems were settled, at
least for the time being, by decision,
reached after many weary hours OF
waiting for conference agreement,
that leaves appropriations about
where they were fixed by the prevl-
ous session, but slightly in excess OF
the states estimated income. Propos-
al by the house that an additional hall
mill be levied for state purposes,
bringing in about $214,000 additional
revenue, was turned down by the SEN
ate. Also, one body or the other sue
cessively discarded proposals for spe-
cial taxes, many in number, and in
Guiding for assessment incomes, Gig
arets. hydro-electric activities, natur-
al gas and auto transportation COM
panies.
This reluctance to increase taxes
was paralleled by acceptance of the
suggestion of Gov. Erickson and form
er governors that the number of jul
dicial districts be decreased. A meas
IRE which weathered a hard battle
to gain approval of both houses de-
creases the number of judicial dis
tricts by three and cuts seven judges
and their staffs off the payroll. 1t
does not become effective until pres
ent judicial terms are completed.
Senate Against More Boards
The legislature, particularly the up
per house, declined, also to create
numerous suggested new boards and
offices.
Problems of financing new buildings
for state institutions and operation of
the several units of the university
were referred to the voters. A three
mill levy, which would provide not
only for the university teaching units,
now six in number, but for the Cham
cellor's office and the agricultural ex-
tension and experimental work as well,
is the subject of one measure. The
other proposes authorization for the
issuance of three million dollars worth
of state bonds to be issued by the leg
islature as necessary to meet building
needs at any state institution, outside
the capitol grounds. Authorization
for sale of $250,000 capitol building
bonds for construction of building
to house the state historical library
was given by the assembly.
Increase Bank Taxes
Bank taxation was revised appar-
emily to the satismaction of all con-
cerned by adoption of the recommen-
dation Of the governors commission
defining money and credits, taxing
banks on 80 per cent of their capital
and initiating tax of similar proper
tons on building and loan associa-
tions, insurance and investment COM
panies.
City difficulties in meeting inter
est and principal on improvement dis
trict bonds were believed by authOri.
cation for the creation of special
funds, either by tax or by transfer
from other funds, from which these
given a budget system to aid them in
payments may be made. Counties were
controlling their administrative costs
Highway matters were favorabl!
considered. The tax on gasoline wa
increased from three to five cents IL
order to take up the federal cooper
alive funds of which the state was un
able to avail itself during the two
year period that ended in 1927 whel
the present highway program wa
adopted. Interference with the presen
program was sidetracked.
Flock of Bridges
The commission was instructed t,
report to the next session on posi-
bilitieS and expense of constructor,
bridges across the Missouri and lowe
Yellowstone at OF near five designat
ed points. Efforts to authorize a coun
ty tax for clearing roads of snow
were fruitleSs.
No change was made in road fund
for county use though the automobil
license law, proceeds from which e
to counties for road purposes, wa
changed to provide for fees on weigh
instead of horsepower, creating thre
classes. 1t was believed that the rev
enue would not be materially chang
ed.
The assembly declined two propos
ais to license drivers and refused t
provide Tor compulsory automobile /
ability insurance but it strengthene
the provisions penalizing drunke
drivers and it added a requiremer
that nonresident licenses must be reg
lStered within two weeks after the
enter the state.
Tighten Criminal Statutes
Criminal statutes were not mater
ally revised. The most important a
Veratlon was repeal of the indete,
inmate sentence law This was done {
The behest of stoclanen, who have e.
pressed belief that the law was tt
lenent to first offenders. A GRIN
commission was established to make
survey of the present statutes an
recommend changes. A proposal fl
creation of bureau of criminal idel
llIlcauon was turned down as was
measure to enact a habitual Grimm
law. Willingness to tax themselves
ana IN crime prevention was evidence
ioy stockmen's approval of special lie
les on livestock, the proceeds to
USED Tor apprehension and convictiC
OI cattle rustlers. The butcher bi
unsigned to prevent thefts from far
IotS and night raids on unwatch,
nerds, was strengthened. County cor
mlSsloners were empowered to appoi
special deputy sheriffs when nece
sary.
Plan Aid to Farmers
among numerous measures propc
ca to aid the farmer two were OF
standing. These provide that prote
content must be marked on stora
receipts from public warehouses a
that grain stored on farms NAV