White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1931-02-26
legislature m
Ills DeadIocked \
On Three Bills
Tax Measure Motor liz
.cense Fee and Budget Of
Governor In Dispute
KNUTE HILL

AAANS = - AANAS&~
Among the bills passed by the
House during the past week is the
County Library bill. Two amendments
were adopted, providing that it should
be permissive not mandatory with
County commissioners to call cleo
tion, and that precincts where ma
jority of voters opposed establish
ment of library would be exempt
from levy of tax sand of course be
deprived of benefits. AS amended it
will no doubt pass Senate and have
approval of Governor. Representa-
tives of the Women's Club did not
approve of amendments but said it
was step in right direction and they
could get more two years hence. 9th
er bills passed were:
A bill prohibiting nepotism or the
employment of relatives by officials;
a bill providing for license to car
ny pistol; another for three days
to elapse between application for
license and marriage. These have yet
to run the gauntlet in Senate.
The Boxing bill was the only one to
demand call of the House. After
considerable debate it passed by
majority of half dozen votes. The
signature of the Governor will make
| it law. Several members voted
against it because none of their con-
stituents had written them either
way, while letters were read from
Legion posts in different parts of
the state opposing it. 1t was also con-
tended that it was the bill of big
promoters and was demanded only by
a few of the larger cities.
There is a deadlock between the
House and Senate on three major is-
sues which will result no doubt in
the predicted jam and failure to enact
any constructive legislation. The first
issue in controversy is H. B. No. II.
The conference committee composed
of three members of House and three
of Senate cannot come to an agree
ment. Senators Cleary and Dimmick
insist on Senate amendments provid-
ing for elective budgetory commits
sioners in place of appointive, that
law be limited to two year trial per-
iod, and that self-sustaining power
districts be excluded from provisions
of bill. The Senate has the backing
of County Commissioners, school dis
tricts and people throughout the
state and will not yield.
The second question at issue is the
motor license fee and gasoline tax.
The House insists on the bill it pass
ed providing for $500 fee and 1c in
crease in gas tax. The Senate de-
mands the $500 fee and &c increase
passed by it. 1t would seem that a
$500 fee and 1c increase would be
fair compromise and it is urged by
the AAA backed by 10000 auto own
ers of the state. 1t is also attempted
to have gas tax increase take effect
April LIST, 1881. which would be un-
fair to those who have already paid
a high license fee for this year. Even
if there should be a decrease of a
million or two in road funds it would
not be disastrous. We have good
roads in this state. If members would
spend the time and exert the effort
in solving the tax problem that they
do in wrangling over the road fund
and "pork barrel" they would accom-
plish more and deserve more praise
from the people of the state. Thus
far (43rd day. no constructive leg
lSldLlOL lOT LAX IcHCl UCCll SCI.
iously considered. 1t seems than an
income tax or tax on intangibles is
as far off as on the first day.
The third matter in controversy is
the Governors budget. The Senate
Appropriation Committee under
Chairman Landon has cut it about
$2yO00,OO0. One of the items cut is
the Governors office from 100000 to
$4,000. They proceed on the theory
that since he is saying that the way
to reduce taxes is to quit spending,
he ought not to call for an increase
in salary for his official family but
start right at home to reduce ex-
penses. 1t sounds logical and consist
ent to all except staunch administra-
ton men. Chairman Anderson of the
House Committee insists on passing
Governors budget just as submitted.
One of the members in committee
suggested that they get rubber
stamp and OK every executive item.
Early in the week there was
public hearing on an executive re-
quest bill providing for reversion
of oyster-bed lands to the state un-
less they were all planted by January
1, 1881. A large delegation Of repre-
sentative residents of Pacific and
Grays Harbor Counties were present
to protest. A new and thriving indus
try has grown up and promises to be
one of the most important on the
Coast. Whereas the timber industry
is bound to decrease, this new indus
try if encouraged will increase. 1t was
shown that it was not only impos-
sible financially and otherwise to
plant all lands by date mentioned
but that it was impractical and un-
wise. Men who had been in the bus
mess for fifty years protested against
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