Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-01
BY DALE HARRISON.

1
| NEW YORK, January l R.-The
making of law becomes this month in
43 State capitols a matter of serious
concern.
| BY Summer-statute writing is a
| tedious affair-these 43 Legislatures,
| Joined in April by forty-fourth, Flor
| ida, will have adjourned; and an esti-
mated 10000 new measures will have
been acted upon. Only four States
Virginia, Kentucky, Louisiana and Mis-
| Sippi-will have no legislative sessions
next year.
| Money and morals are the general
! headings under which major statutes
will be written. OF these, money-taX-
alton appropriation, debt retirement
and public workS-dominates
Specifically, the program groups it
| self into five classifications: Taxation,
| prohibition, penal reform, unemploy-
ment relief, governmental reform.
Taxation is a vital business in every
legislative hall, but 20 States in par
| ticular are looking next month to their
| lawmakers to do things concerning 1t.
Fourteen States will consider prohi-
bition in one or more of its yexing
phases Not all the contemplated dis
cussion, however, has to do with en-
forcement or repeal.
Prison Reform.
The matter of prison reform and
State policing assumes high Importance
in 10 States. In two of them, Kansas
and Massachusetts, there has arisen
difference of opinion as to the merit of
the death penalty for capital crime.
Kansas would legaliZe capital punish
ment once more. Massachusetts, would
repeal it.
Arizona, still shuddering over the
decapitation Of woman it hanged last
Spring, will seek "a more humane
method Of execution" It's Governor
atty altogether.
Unemployment Relief.
Unemployment relief Is promised con-
sideration by at least IL Legislatures.
Probably others will ponder the prob
lem, once the work of lawmaking strikes
it's stride. There has, however, been no
advance indication of any State-ap-
proved relief program other than the
encouragement of public and private
construction.
What would appear in effect as an
offset to any extensive State sponsoring
of unemployment relief is the pro-
nounced determination of many new
administrations to pare expenditures to
the core.
In several States, legislators have been
sent to their capitals with the definite
dicta to obtain relief from taxation.
The opinion in most of the lawmaking
centers is that any movement toward
extensive expenditures, even under the
plea of unemployment relief, Will ind
in economy opponents forceful foe.
Governmental Reform.
Governmental reform lacks the "hu-
man interest" element OF such affairs
of state as prohibition and unemploy-
ment relief, but it stands out nonethe-
less as a principal business in eight
far-flung commemorative.
Arkansas, among the eight, has the
most drastic job. 1t hopes, in the 60
day session beginning January IL, to
effect a complete reorganization OF its
government. The consolidation OF more
than 100 boards and departments Is
contemplated, and the abolition of all
State executive Offices save those of
Governor, Lieutenant Governor and At
torney General is proposed.
Oklahoma plans further reorganiZa-
ton of its government with the elimina-
ton of lesser boards and departments.
Wyoming legislators have much the
same hope Alabama's Governor-elect
is expected to recommend departmental
changes. Arizona may create the ONCE
of lieutenant governor and abolish that
Of legislative examiner.
Consolidation of departments a
trend definitely noticeable, also faces
North Carolina. Other States in which
the hope for governmental reform is
felt are New Jersey and Maine. In the
latter State the Legislature will have
before 1t a complete survey for con-
solidation and reorganization
Blue Laws.
Blue laws, some dating back to the
eighteenth century, will be challenged
determinedly in four Eastern States
Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Hamp-
shire and Maine.
In Maryland the laws, written with
the pen of Revolutionary Puritans,
promise, indeed, to become a major
matter before the Legislature. In 1920
the laws were liberalized to permit the
sale of gasoline and confectionery on
the Sabbath. but they still prohibit
public performances and gainful labor
In Baltimore, particularly, the laws are
strictly enforced. The Baltimore Coun-
Gill; however, has indicated it will sup
port efforts at liberalization
Pennsylvania organizations which in