The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1935-02-01

& Happenings at Montana's
Assembly of Legislature

(By Our Helena Correspondent

(By Our Helena Correspondent
HELENA-It begins to look like q
legislative session-the bills are COM
ing in. How many there will be Is q
guess. Just what the range OF pro-
posed legislation will be is also con-
~jectural. But it is apparent that the
states lawmakers will undertake to
do considerable tinkering with the
commonwealth constitutional and
statutory setup.
If it was supposed that the motor
registration situation would rest I'M
disturbed for a few 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
will 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 evenu is to be consid-
erably reduced, there will have to be a
proportionate restriction of county road
building and maintenance activities.
There being mor light cars than
heavy ones in use, it is politically popu-
lar to have a 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-
sumption, contributed more to the state
highway revenues.
8 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
substantially what he has done many
times before. Among statehouse Off
Gals and employees he is known as the
most active, persistent and persever-
ing inquisitor. If precedent has any
meaning, we may look for a drive
against state salaries. And it will not
be unusual if senatorial voices are
heard rising loudly and long in debates
IN u,hothor came c1CS = p,oo{L eo1o-,t
should be maintained or cut.
8 @
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:
II o that any employee of the SEN
ate who shall, except at the request of
a senator, aid or assist any person
lobbying for or against any bill, memoir
ial or resolution of the house or senate
after its introduction or transfer to the
senate or transfer to the house or who
shall disclose, except at the request of
senator, any information of executive
meetings of a committee shall be SUBJ
ject to the penalty of an immediate
discharge"
This, it is inferred from the phrasing
OF the motion, will stop the leaking Of
which, of course, it will
do. It is rare that anything ever
happens in the legislature-in commit
tee meetings or otherwise-that can
not be learned with little difficulty. The
place to get the information is from
the members themselves. Secrets here
do not remain secrets very long.
A few days ago there were whisper
that certain former employees Of
senate, now back IN the p~ayrolls,
under suspicion of having on past
occasions revealed committee secrets.
Perhaps such a thing has happened,
now and then but as a general thing
IS it beyond doubt that committee en-
oloyes have been loyal.
o O
Twenty-one senators have signed the
dill calling for a constitutional amend
nent prohibiting involuntary consoli-
lation or abolition Of counties. It is
proposed to amend section 8 of article
Is. Signers of the bill are Putnam,
Page, Baker, Danielson, Melton, Holt,
Sullivan, Plank, Hammond, Anderson,
Clifford, Delaney, Benjamin, Hennes-
~, Mass, Colbo, Blankenbaker, Plum
n, Sparkling, Mayer and Murphy.