The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-01-09
300 BILLS MAY
Be INTRODUCED.
IN ASSEMBLY.
State Legislators Leave for
Their Homes for
Week End.
CIGARET TAX PROPOSED
Levy on Malt Would Be
Used TO Provide Free
Text Books.
CIGARET TAX PROPOSED

State senators and representa-
tiyes left for their homes today for
the weekend ana presumably to
put the finishing touches TO the
hundreds of bills which will be
thrown into the legislative hopper
beginning Monday afternoon.
Charles marlborough, director
Of the state legislative reference
bureau, who aids in the drawing of
many of the measures, declared
today in his opinion approximately
800 bills will be introduced this
session. This will equal the num-
Der presented in the 1929 session.
The director pointed out that his
Office already has assisted in the
writing of 200 proposed measures.
The 1907 session with 400 bills
introduced holds the all-time rec
ord, according to statistics complied
Malt Tax Proposed
Interrogation of the members of
the assembly reveals a wide assort-
ment OF proposed legislation, in
Guiding, besides major proposals al
ready predicted, tax of 5 cents on
each pound Of matt, 10 per cent
TAX on cigarets and tobacco prod
ucts and proposal to tax bill
boards an amount as yet unspeci-
ned for each square foot of exhi-
bition space. This latter measure
would be both revenue producing
and regulatory.
Representative William j. Black
Dem, Madisom expects to intro
duce the malt and tobacco tax
measures which in his opinion would
raise $3.50, 933 annually. Revenue
derived from these taxes would be
used to provide free textbooks, ac-
cording to the author.
A retail sales tax of l per cent ON
all types of goods, wares and mer-
chandise also is being prepared.
Injustice Pointed Ont
One proposed measure would
make it compulsory for every court
in the state to pass an indetermi-
nate sentence except in cases OF
murder.
It's sponsors point out that there
are many statutes which provide a
Judge must give determinate sem
tence of not more nor less than GER
tain stipulated figures.
This works for injustice, as one
Judge may give a high sentence and
the other the minimum for the same
felony The proposed bill would
have sentences for felonies indeter-
inmate within the boundaries sci
by the statutes already in force.
Would Amend Criminal Act
Another measure would amend
the habitual criminal act passed in
1907, SO that judge, upon the third
conviction of a felony, could sem
tence the convicted person TO not
less than ten years, but the prison
trustees would have the right to
hold the prisoner for life if his be-
havior was bad
Under the present law it is man
datory that a third felony convic-
ton should carry life. Many attor-
-neys and courts feel that this is toe
strong a sentence. Since the pas
sage of the act in 1907 only thirty
persons have been convicted I'M
der it.
The bill also would require every
penal institution to report the rec
ord Of each person who has served
one or more terms for felony to
the state board of criminal iden-
LITIGATION and investigation.
This bureau will in turn furnish
the prosecuting attorneys of each,
circuit with the information upon
request. s
This last measure is sponsored by
the state crime conference.