Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1933-01-26

legislative n otes

The introduction in the senate by
Melton, Of Beaverhead, Of bill to
abolish some units of the Greater Uni
versity, as introduced into this ses-
sion is a subject that will provoke
much oratory. Rumors that such a
measure would. be brought forward
have been current, but surprise was
expressed that the measure would or
iginate from county having one Of
the units of the University. pre-
diction can be made as to final ac-
ton on this proposal, but it is ex-
pected that members of the session
from the eastern two-thirds of the
state will not take very cordially to
the proposal.
The usual bill for the abolition of
the office of the Chancellor of the
Greater University has been present
ed. For several sessions this has been
a subject of extended discussion, but
has never received the required sup
port to abolish the office. Many feel
that this action might result in the
old time log rolling for appropria-
tions among the state institutions
That was a subject of so much dis
sention in the days before central
office of Chancellor was created.
To ride along with q floating in
debtedness or to refund this with
bond issue is certain to be one of
the main matters considered by the
present session. The report of joint
committee of the house and senate to
give this consideration was adopted
practically without discussion. The
sentiment seems to be general that
the business-like thing to do would be
to refund outstanding warrants with
bonds, payable serially, SO as to dis
tribute the repayment feature. The
opinion is almost universal that in
thus changing the form Of the exist
ing debt that there would be no seri-
GUS disadvantages, but that the ae-
ton would tend to greatly improve
the states fiscal affairs. However, a
large number Of members will not
approve this refunding without reas-
enable assurance that the general
fund slate once cleaned will be kept
clean.
All committee assignments in the
house have been completed. Due to
the large number of new members
this has been a difficult matter. Few
complaints have been registered by
members with respect to committee
assignments. To preserve the proper
balance it was necessary to overlook
some requests and some members
were placed on committees that they
did not specifically request, but al
most without exception members ex-
press satisfaction with assignments
and it should be remembered by city
zens In general that the heavy work.
of legislative session is carried by
committees and for that reason ex-
treme care has been taken in making
committee assignments.
Applications for employment pre-
scented to the house committee on en-
ployment exceed TOO. This is rec
ord number and it is impossible to
give employment to more than about
ten per cent of this number.
So far this session, in the house
ut least, there has been no visible evil
denee of party lines being drawn. 1t
Is the desire of the leaders on both
sides that this desirable condition
continue, SO that all matters pre-
sented may be discussed and decided
wholly on their merits. For several
sessions, with rare exceptions, there
has been little evidence of party lines.
Informal discussion is already un-
der way concerning the automobile
license fees. One group favors the
to take portion~of the H.
cense fees originating in the towns
and cities and giving it to the towns
and cities for street work. The rural
in large measure, are not
favorable to this proposal. Another
group favors the reduction of auto
mobile license fees to flat rate for
all passenger cars, the fee generally
being $500. Some consider
This as the largest possible economy
measure as it would save about three
fourths of a million dollars annually.
No form of bill has been presented
As yet, but it is probable that the
next few days will see such a meas
are formally presented.
1t is expected that, with the ex-
,eption of the Appropriations Com
nittee, the Committee on Revenue
and Taxation will emerge as the most
hard worked committee Of the SEES
sion. I. D. Rognlien, of Flathead, is
The chairman of this committee. All |
relating to revenue and tax
alton will be referred to this commit
zee and with the number of bills In