Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1929-01-10
MOntana'S 21St
Legislative Ses-
sion COnveneS
r. f. Bricker of Windham
Named Speaker of the
Lower House.
Republican Majority of Two
to One Prevails In
Each Body.

Helena, Jan. with Lieutenant
Goevrnor Frank Hazelbaker presid-
ing over the senate and r. E. Brick
er Of Windham in the chair of the
lower house for the second time,
Montana's twenty-first Legislative
assembly got into action at noon to-
day for its 60 day grind.
Election Of its officers and princi-
pal attaches was the days chief
business. Appointment of a few
working committees made possible
completion Of the roster of employees
and the next business on the pro-
gram will be receipt of the govern
or's message, some time tomorrow.
With a republican majority of two
to one, in each house, elections were
purely formality following the de-
cision Of the caucus last night. In
the senate Thomas Kane of Ravalli
was named president pro tenn, with
VI. M. Duncan Of Madison, minority
floor leader. In the house, Bricker
was elected speaker and Elmer
Johnson of Valley, speaker pro tem
w. r. Flachenhar of Prairie will be
floor leader for the republicans and
Ray T. Nagle of Lewis and Clark,
for the democrats.
Unopposeo, Frank Cone, veteran
secretary of the senate, was reflect
ed and H. j. Faust made chief clerk
of the house for the third time. A.
r. Hetherington of Granite county
was elected sergeant at arms of the
senate, Harry Whitcomb of Phillips
in the house.
Facing the members as they took
their seats for the first time was a
forceful reminder of -...air chief
problem. The many PACED state
budget report carried requests for
appropriations totalling more than a
million dollars over the estimated
revenue for the next biennium. The
assembly must either pare down the
figure or provide some means for
raising the additional funds.
This problem brought Immediately
to mind companion one-revision
of the state classification tax law
The measure, in effect now for 10
years, requires changes at least to
the extent Of new provisions for
iSdSiiiilS Hoilcytu CdpItdl LOT LdAd-
tion and the possibility has been
suggested that a complete revision
would perhaps solve all the states
income problems, including even that
of revenue for the Greater Univer-
sity.
Aside from these subjects, the
legislature will be asked to act on
the matter of additional road build
ing funds, protection for special i'm
provement district levies, work
mems compensation, state aid for
common schools, teacher pensions,
automobile regulations and measures
to prevent cattle rustling.
Speaker Bricker also announced
the membership of the house commit
tee on rules, with G. M. Moss of
Flathead as chairman, Johnson of
Valley as vice chairman, Flachsen-
har Of Prairie, Nagle of Lewis and
Clark and the speaker.
Two committees were announced
in the house by Chairman Pauline Of
the committee on committees. Sen
ator CARRIER heads the committee on
journal, Senator Holt that on mile
age and per diem.
President Hazelbaker appointed
Senators Gilboe, Bergstrom and Var
son to advise the governor the body
was ready to function; Senators
Survant, Goodman and Cowan to ad-
wise the house.