Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1933-01-19
LEGISLATIVE
HIGH SPOTS
BY G. NJ. MOSS

ties. The governor made several very
definite and important suggestions:
First among these was the recon-
nendation that every possible econ
omy be effected consistent with prop
er efficiency; that there be consid-
cradle reduction in the membership
of the legislative bodies; that the
rtate warrant Indebtedness be re-
funded with a bond issue so as to
place the general fund of the state on
cash basis.
Something unusual in legislative an
nails was the march to- the state cap
itol Of the hungry marchers claiming
to represent every section of the state.
They were very orderly at all times
and were accorded the unusual priv
ilege of having an opportunity of
speaker address both the house and
the senate. They presented to the
bodies, what were termed Legislative
demands" that in their view would
help relieve the present distressing
economic situation. They were ex-
tended every possible courtesy.
In keeping with the universal de-
sire among members to reduce APP
preparations, House Bill No. /, which
provides for legislative expenses in
Guiding pay and mileage Of members
carries about twenty thousand dol
lars ($2O,00O) less than the usual
amounts for this purpose.
Practically all legislative standing
committees are now completed and
organized ready to consider bills. Due
to the large number of new members,
the formation of committees was
more difficult than usual. Citizens IN,
general should recognize that the
work of the committees is an out
standing factor in the operation OF
legislative bodies. The greatest care
was exercised in the selection Of these
committees.
A new standing committee, known
as Economy Committee has been
adopted in both house and senate.
The object Of this was to have q cen
trail point to which any and all bills
designed to effect economies might
be sent, considered and in many cases
consolidated.
This committee is representative OF
all sections Of the state and it is pos
sible that it will develop into one OF
the major committees.
With the hope that such action
might tend to decrease the number
of bills introduced, the rules Of the
house were changed, limiting the NUM-
Der of bills that might be introduced
during the session by single mem
Der Of five. This does not include bills
that may be introduced by commit
tee.
With the exception that it might
stimulate early consideration Of ap-
preparation bills, House Resolution
No. /, provides that all appropriation
bills must be out Of committee and be-
fore the house before the end Of the
fortieth legislative day. 1t is expected
that this will permit more deliberate
consideration of appropriations by
the whole house.
For the first time in many years,
| the house has contest for member
ship in which Murphy of Musselshell
is contesting the rights of Sadring OF
Musselshell to his seat. The peculiar
phase Of this contest is that in case
| Sadring should be denied his seat.
| the place will remain vacant during
this session unless the county OF Mus
| selshelI should hold a special election.
The attorney general rules that should
| Sadring be denied his seat, that Muir
phy, unsuccessful candidate at the
| polls. cannot be seated in his stead
A record number of candidates for
employment during the legislative
session was registered this year with
almost six hundred applicants for the
seventy positions to be filled in the
house. This has made the work OF
the employment committee most
difficult and trying task.
Due to the fact that some difficulty
may be experienced in converting state
warrants into cash by the members
of the legislature, the term wooden
money" has already become coined to
apply to the legislators salary war
rants. A joint committee of the house
and senate has conferred with bank
ers with the hope that plan may be
| developed to meet this situation,
which may be rather difficult situa-
ton for many members Of the legis-
lature.
There is much discussion among
members relative to measures to pro-
| vide additional income to help balance
the states budget. All seem to agree
that all measures Of that character
should be ones that would help de-
| crease the tax burden now felt by rea
property, so that the income could BIZ
derived from sources that would not
now especially feel the burden o.
taxes. Among measures suggested
are an income tax and cigarette tax
| n 10 arreed that at this time an in.