White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1934-09-20
STUDY THE INITIATIVES

With the primary election behind u.s. the voters
will have several weeks of rest before the cam
paign swings into full strength and they are as
sailed on all sides by claims and promises of the
various candidates.
Yet there is one duty which should not be put
Oft, but should be performed by the voters during
this Acknowledgment study Of the initiative and
referendum measures. With but little over six
weeks remaining before the elections, those who
wish to cast an intelligent ballot on these matters
must study the arguments, both pro and con.
Out of the sixteen or seventeen initiative mea-
sures which were put before the residents of the
state last summer, only four received sufficient
signatures to be forwarded to the secretary of
states Office and two of these on the official check
were found to have insufficient signatures, many
persons having signed themselves as [ Knock En-
Stiff, Greta Garbo, Primo Camera, and other no.
table individuals.
The two initiative measures which remain on
the list and which will be passed upon by the
voters in November are No. a. which would
strengthen the 40 mill limit act passed by the
voters in 1892, and No. IT, which would prohibit
the use Of fish traps and further control the sal
industry.
The Spokesman believes that Initiative No. "a
is worthy one and should be adopted by the citi-
zens OF this state During the past two years we
have seen how the 40 mill limit act passed in 1882
has restrained state and counties from assessing
further taxes upon the property of the state. I'm
der the constitution the legislature can take no
action upon an initiative measure until after two
years have elapsed following it's passage With
this time limit expiring before the next session
OF the legislature, voters be sure unless they
pass this new act, that taxes will be heaped
upon their property.
10 say that there two sides to every ques-
tlon IS to underestimate the possibilities of argu-
mt I1,IfIo tiv q,1,
inestimable value and yet according to- those who
have lived IN fishing communities, it's passage
would mean the elimination of one of our fore
most industries There is no doubt that the salmon
industry could stand some regulation; whether
this measure will accomplish the desired ends is
hard to say but it does appear that it may be lust
fight between factions Of the industry Just how
voters Of agricultural eastern WASHINGTON are
supposed to pass intelligent Judgment on this mea
sure is hard to see.
The referendum measure to be passed on to the
voters is No. 49, better known as the Bone Power
BILL VOters OF Benton county are familiar with
this act many Of them worked hard to put it over
as an initiative measure, but they should be sure
to study it we'll before passing their final vote on it,
While in principle it has many worthy points
there are certain phases Of the act which might
not work out so we'll in practice and, if passed the
farmers of eastern Washington are ant to find
themselves holding the sack in several respects
There are also two amendments to the state
constitution to be passed upon by the voters One
OF these provides that the legislature shall have no
power to impose taxes upon counties, cities towns
or other municipal corporations, or upon the in
habitants or property thereof for county, city,
town or other municipal purposes, but by general
law may limit such taxes and may supervise and
control the valung of property for local taxation
The second amendment requires that all taxes
snail be uniform upon the same class of subjects
within the territorial limits of the authority lew
ing the taxes