Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-08-21

making BODY.
Citizens will be only vaguely
aware OF many laws that will be a
part Of the statutes. But the aver
age citizen will or Is likely 10 be
affected by a considerable number
Of the new laws.
Cigaret Tax
Perhaps the law that will be the
most keenly felt by the largest
number Of persons is the one levy
ing the tax Of three cents per
package on clgarets. This tax
alone is expected 70 raise between
100000 and S6.OO0,O0O for the
benefit Of the general revenue and
school funds. Both Of these funds
are doing a considerable portion Of
their business in red in.
Tobacco dealers were doing a
rushing business as smokers stocked
up on cigaretS before the tax dead
line. The retail price Of a package
OF 20 flags dealers said. would be
Is cents straight. or two packages
for IS cents. They formerly sold
two for 25 cents.
Other new tax laws include the
dealers tax, levying a tax on the
itinerant peddler or farm and 9TH
er products: the natural gas tax,
levying a tax OF two per cent on
the value OF the gas; increasing the
sulphide tax to rs cents per ton: a
cement tax Of one and on~e-fourth
cents per 100 pounds: and an
occupation tax on dealers in pistols.
One fourth Of these taxes also
will be placed in the school fund.
Among the bitterly contested
laws that will become effective Is
n placing all trucks operated for
hire under the jurisdiction OF the
railroad commission.
Measure Enjoined
Enforcement of a companion law
has been temporarily enjoined in the
federal court. The enioined law
| places limitations on the weight,
width. length and height OF trucks.
The load Is limited TO 1000 pounds.
Among other laws that will be-
come effective at midnight tonight
Authorizing judges TO suspend for
two years the driving rights OF
persons convicted Of operating a
motor vehicle while intoxicated.
Permitting assessment OF sus-
pended sentences on LIQUOR law
violators oyer Is years old.
Giving incorporated cities and
towns the right OF local option on
Sunday motion picture shows.
Setting up the s-tate-county bud
get system; giving the governor
continuing control over the state
budget and requiring annual de-
tailed reports or county finances
by county officials to the comp
troller.
Making IL a felony 70 make. sell
or throw stink bombs.
Limiting physical and mental
endurance contests IN public COM
petition 10 "a hours.
Absolving the driver or an auto
mobile from damages for injury 70
non-paytng passengers.
Allowing county jail prisoners 20
work out fines and costs.
Allowing waiver OF a fury on
pleas Of guilty in less than capital
cases.
Child Welfare
Establishing the child welfare
! division in the estate board OF con-
trol.
Authorizing the addition OF So
members TO the state highway
patrol.
Setting a minimum wage OF "a
cents per hour for laborers on state
highway projects.
Limiting the fees OF officers in
felony cases TO five against the
same persons.
Giving cities the right "a reg
ulate the rates of public utilities.
Limiting the retention Of excess
fees BY county officers.
Limiting the jurisdiction OF the
supreme court BY reducing the
number OF causes for which Trits OF
error may be applied.
Establishing the Texas centennial
committee.
Establishing the Babcock test as
the Texas standard for milk tests
Authorizing counties to levy a
tax on lands OF the University OF
Texas.
Numerous laws affecting insur-
ance companies and administration
OF the insurance laws.