Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1935-01-26


HELENA--It begins TO look like =
legislative session--the bills are com-
ing I'm. How many there win be b q
guess. Just what the range Of pro-
posed legislation win be Is also con-
jecturaI. But Il Is apparent that the
states lawmakers win undertake 70
do considerable tfnkering with the
4 commonwealth constitutional and
statutory setup.
II it was supposed that the motor
registration situation would rest I'M
disturbed for a few more years, that
has been In error Already several
house bills have made their appearance
intended to change the registration law.
This was a heated question at the
regular session two years ago and at
the special session last winter. AS there
are little cars and big cars, light cars
and heavy cars, just that long there
viii be controversy about the relative
fees that should be collected.
A vital point In connection with
motor registration fees under the pres
ent system is that. excepting the cost
Of the registration plates and admin
istration. counties get the whole re-
ceiptS. If this revenue is to be consid-
erably reduced, there win have to be a
proportionate restriction Of county road
building and maintenance activities.
There being more light cars than
heavy ones IN use, It is politically popu-
lar to have low registration fee for
the small cars That much can be de-
pended on. There Is always, however,
some opinion in the assembly for lit
tie or no spread In the rates, it being
commended that the heavier vehicles,
because Of their greater gasoline con-
contributed more to the state |
revenues.
@ 8
Here is another old familiar: A mo-
ton asking for state capitol payroll In
formation. The senate made the de-
mand on request Of Cooper Of Mineral
and Pauline Of Flathead. They ask
for the December figures and want all
increases or decreases listed. The in
formation was to be on the senate desks
not later than Jan. 20.
Senator Pauline is merely doing
what he has done many
times before. Among statehouse Off
Gals and employees he is known as the
most active, persistent and persever-
Ing inquisttor. If precedent has any
meaning, we may look for a drive
against state salaries. And it win not
be unusual if senatorial voices are
heard rising loudly and long In debates
On whether some $125 a month salary
should be maintained or cut.
@ g
Old Dame Suspicion appears to be
feared in the senate. Myer of Silver
Bow, it would seem, aimed what he .
considers a wicked blow at the old
dame. On his motion, the following
resolution was adopted:
Il move that any employe Of the SEN
ate who shall, except at the request Of
q senator, aid or assist any person
obbying for or against any bill, memoir
al or resolution Of the house or senate
after its introduction or transfer to the
'enate or transfer to the house or who
hall disclose, except at the request Of
/ senator, any information of executive
meetings of a committee shall be sub
ect to the penalty of an immediate
discharge"
This, it is inferred from the phrasing
4 the motion, will stop the leaking Of
which, of course, It viii
lot do 1t is rare that anything ever
happens in the legislature-in commit
ee meetings or otherwise-that can
lot be learned with little difficulty The
lace to get the information is from
he members themselves. Secrets here
o not remain secrets very long.
A few days ago there we're whisper
ngs that certain former employees of
he senate, now back on the payrolls,
Iere under suspicion Of having on past
revealed committee secrets.
erhaps such a thing has happened,
ow and then but as a general thing
it beyond doubt that committee en-
loyes have been loyal.
q @
Twenty-one senators have signed the
III calling for a constitutional amend
lent prohibiting involuntary CONSOLE
alton or abolition of counties. It is
roposed to amend section Of article
). Signers Of the bill are Putnam,
age, Baker, Danfelson, Melton, Holt,
ullivan, Plank, Hammond, Anderson,
lifford, Delaney, Benjamin, Hennes-
Z, Mass, Colbo, Blankenbaker, Plum
:, Sparkling, Mayer and Murphy