Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1935-01-24
Legislative Notes

WIN lne llrSt trying week OF the
twenty-fourth legislative assembly
now a matter of history, the two
Montana law-making branches are
losing little time in slipping into high
gear to tackle a multitude of major
matters.
AS the curtain fell on the initial
week of work the house had seven
measures upon its calendar, two of
which were enacted and signed by the
governor, while the only semblance
Of legislation proposed in the senate
were two joint resolutions. The two
first acts of the assembly to become
laws were those extending the open
season on elk in Park county, and
providing 1885, 900 for legislative sal
aries and expenses.
1t is indicated the Montana house
might have its first glimpse at the
unicameral Legislative plan. If intro
duced it will resemble the general
program adopted in November by the
state Of Nebraska. Advocated by Sen.
ator George w. Norris of the Corn
husker state, this act provides for a
o%ne-house legislature of from 80 to
80 members. 1t would be incumbent
upon the legislature to fix the actual
membership. Inasmuch as the Mon
tana legislature is composed of ap-
proximately the same membership as
that in Nebraska under the bi-cam-
eral plan, the Nebraska system is
considered most applicable here.
Senator w. Ray Church, Lewis and
Clark, said he is expecting to see or
iginate in the house this session an
appropriation bill to finance the re-
establishment of the state fair. He
said he believed a bill will be intro
duced in the lower body asking $780,
900 for the support Of the fair dur
ing this biennium.
Senator Mike Sullivan, Jefferson,
has announced he will introduce meas
ures m~emorializing congress to pro-
vide funds for construction of ade-
quate roads to several of the states
more important mining districts, and
to provide funds for the development
of springs on forest reserves.
He said water development on the
forest reserves would insure an ade-
quate supply for livestock throughout
the year.
If this assembly provides for a
state highway patrol, Senator w. E..
Kelley, Powell, will urge that its
headquarters be located at Deer
Lodge, where the state motor vehicle
registration bureau is established.
Senator Cotter of Broadwater has
given notice he will engineer the high
way patrol bill, and that he is also
especially interested in legislation in
regard to water conservation.
Representative C. w. Fowler, Re-
publican of Billings, is chairman Of
the important house committee on
appropriations. This legislature,
Speaker Pilgeram said in announcing
the appointment, should minimize its
political differences. Though it has
been the custom of the party in pow
er to take everything in sight, l be-
lieve the time has come when it will
benefit us all to change this SYSTEM"
the speaker added.
The four members of the nous who
failed to get any committee assign
ments during the first week included
two of the Lewis and Clark delega-
ton, Toomey and Padbury. The other
two are Connors of Silver Bow and
Coultas of Ravalli. Speaker Pilgeram
is on one committee, that on rules
and order of business.
Henry r. Green Of Dawson county,
Republican, is the only member of
the appropriations committee Of last
session who is again on the commit
tee this year. He has served on that
committee ever since he has been a
member of the house, which is since
the seventeenth session in 1921. Doe of
Granite was on the committee last
year, but was not appointed this ses-
sion.
Dennis Daugherty of Fallon, mem
Der of the house last session. has re-
turned to Helena. He has been ap-
pointed to the position of doorkeeper
"The main thing l wanted" he says,
twas to get a chance to watch the
legislature in session."
John r. Page, the Democratic SEN
ator from Philipsburg, Granite coun-
ty, belongs in that class known as
the "oldtimers." He received his first
legislative experience in the house
in the 1915 and 1917 sessions and has
served in the senate during the as
semblies of 1919, 1921, 1928, 1925,
1881 and 1888.
"Honest John" Mclaughlin, the vii
lage blacksmith : philosopher : minis
ter : representative from ~Stevensville,
Ravalli county, is one of the most per-
severing men in either Legislative
chamber. He ran for public office II
times before his successful effort of
last November. He is a Republican.
A shortage of lawyers in the SEN
ate made difficult the selection of a
judiciary committee. There appeared
to be only seven known lawyer-sena-
tors at this session while the judiciary