, 1935-05-10
LEGISLATURE
RUSHES WORK
AS END NEARS
Mad Scramble To Put
Over Pet Measures
Begins on Last Day
OF Session

u1CllDClS VI tAtC ACAdo 1cBAcldluIc
started a mad scramble Friday to
pull local and pet bills from the
legislative morass as major contro-
versial measures not yet in con-
ference stage were abandoned .
House sponsors of the admins
tration favored bill to establish q
public authority to construct gas
pipe lines from the Panhandle to
st. Louis and Detroit reported
they had given I'D hope and would
await a special session. The lines
would be constructed with a $780,
100000 federal loan and grant TO
widen market outlets for gas of
distressed independent producers.
Utilities Beat Curb
Public utilities legislation was
all but dead. House sponsors X
pressed displeaSure at an amended
bill returned by the senate ana IN
dicated they would not even ask
for q conference committee to seek
a last-minute adjustment on the
proposal to establish a state com
mission to regulate all utilities.
Final action on the educational
and departmental appropriation
bills constituted the only major lar
TO adjournment. Both bills likely
will be presented late Friday.
A method OF providing relief to
INDECENT citizens was opened when
the senate approved a house reso-
luton TO amend the constitution to
allow submission at special sessions
Of the legislature Of constitutional
amendments 10 authorize issuance
O. additional relief bonds for direct
YAK levies. The remainder Of a
$20,000,000 relief issue has been
budgeted to last through next De-
cember but relief officials foresaw
a possibility additional funds would
be necessary.
The amendment would be voted
on next August "a. Under the cons
titution a. 1t now stands, the legis-
lature can submit constitutional
amendments only at regular ses-
sions.
A universal drivers license law
appeared to have died with house
rejection OF a conference report
after the senate had given il a
comfortable majority. The report
was turned d1Un 81 to 90 after
meeting strong opposition from
rural members.
Pending in conference committee
was the important resolution to
submit a constitutional amend
ment to relieve So. 1000 Of the assess
ed value Of homestead from all
local taxes except school levies.
Centennial Work Rushed
Both houses approved by a two
thirds vote a resolution to make
effective Immediately a bill to ap-
propriate 100000 in state aid for
the Texas Centennial. The bill
failed to pass either house by a
sufficient majority TO become eff
fective on the governors sigma
ture and the resolution was adopt-
ed to permit the commission TO
begin operations at once.
With completion Of legislative
action on the centennial bin plans
were made for a quick start TO
complete organization work for
the huge celebration. Lieutenant
Governor Walter F.. Woodul. com
MISSION chairman, announced he
would all a special meeting i'm
mediately. Woodul telegraphed the
Texas congressional delegation TO
urge a federal appropriation Of
$5.0O0,0O0 for the observance.
The governor received another OF
a series Of bills designed to bring
millions In revenue by strengthen
ing enforcement provisions Of exist
ing laws. The bill would throw adj
ditionsl safeguards around manu-
facture and use Of cigarette stamps.
reduce stamp co~unterfeiting and
place additional men in the field
to curb inroads in the states re-
venues.
II was estimated the bin would
bring in an additional s4.OO0.OO
annually. Pending in the senate on
mouse approval yer the last two
bills Of the group. one to tighten
the oil production tax law and the
other TO plug loop holes in the beer
tax.
The senate docket Of house bills
was cleared Of virtually all uncon-
teSteo measures. apparently kill
ing, however, many controversial
ones remaining. More than so bills
were passed IN a night session.
many OF which went to the govern
or, having been passed without
amendments.
Bills Rushed Through
work OF a senate investigating
committee of five was ordered CON-
tnued for two years with adoption
or a senate resolution. Scope of
the committee was unlimited al
though its attention was directed
70 insurance laws and alleged ille-
gal activities Of officers.
Coin-operated vending machines
would be taxed by a house bin
passed with senate amendments.
Provisions directly legalizing such
as marble machines were deleted.
leaving their status unchanged. An
annual tax of $40 would be levied
on machines costing more than
five cents to operate: $40 on nickel
machines. and 81 on penny
machines.
Other bills passed included: Re-
curing weight Of bulk citrus to be
certified by q public weigher at the
buyers expense (657); to prohibit
dynamiting Of stream waters 10
e. hsh 90; and authorizing state
mn Management Of state pine lands.
and permitting Agricultural and
Mechanical College to accept as
gifts and operate pine forests
GID and (603).
CEMETERY HEADS NAMED
Special 10 me r4arau. IN