The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1935-03-08
by Our Helena Correspondent

chorus of noes" the followers of the
so-called progressive bloc in the
house recently put across %apprOpria-
ton bills which will materially in
crease the cost of government in
Montana. That for a large number Of
state boards and departments. II. b.
532. carries at least $500. 900 a year
more than the same departments
were given two years ago. An effort
was made by Doe of Granite to refer
the bill back to the appropriation
committee with instructions to cut
it down. and when Minette of Glacier
moved to slash all the items in the
bill a flat 10 per cent he was called
out of order by the chairman of the
committee of the whole.
Before the committee of the whole
got through with the bill some of the
items had been increased, rather than
decreased. The sum for the livestock
sanitary board was increased during
the first year Of the biennium. from
$4,000 to SOS 900. on motion Of Metlen
of Beaverhead. who declared that the
board must be in a position to act in
any emergency and that following the
severe drought an epidemic Of stock
diseases is not to be unexpected.
Because of additional work necessary
at the Fort Peck dam. the appropria-
ton for the Industrial Accident board
was increased from $4,000 to S31 900
on motion of the chairman of the ap-
preparation committee. The horticul-
ture department was given al addition
al $500 a year from the highway fund
to aid in its patrol work.
g
Haight of Fergus, pointed out that
there were SO items in the big bill, and
that so of them were increases over the
appropriations for the last biennium.
two were the I'M and n was a re-
duction. Dee said that the state board
of health received a $1,000 increase
for which he did not see the reason.
He was a member of the appropriations
committee last session, but was not
named to it this session. He said that
most departments took at least a 10
per cent cut in salaries and expenses
two years ago. but that the increases
this season will more than make up for
the reduction made by the last legisla-
ture.
Greene of Fergus declared that the
specific items in the bill represent a
S316, 900 increase, that the fish and
game commission is given its earnings
in this bill, while two years ago it had
a specific sum of $500 900, which if in
Guided, would make the increase in this
bill s416, 900 OF S208.0O a year. He said
he refused to vote for a measure which
would increase the cost of government
to Montana taxpayers nearly a quarter
of a million dollars annually.
Fowler said the bill carried a total
of 81 ,694 900 and that it was an in
crease Of $4,000 a year over the
amount for the same departments two
years ago. He asserted that the sub
committees had not only interviewed
heads of state departments as to their
needs, but had delved extensively into
their affairs, so that the increases were
justified.
Minette of Glacier recalled that six
years ago the house sent over to the
senate appropriation bills which were
far too large, and that the senate slash
ed the amounts. resulting in conference
committees being appointed which held
up the session for 100 hours after the
sixtieth day. He predicted that the
same result will be seen this year and
that the house might save time by
cutting the total of the bills down.
Led BY Coultas of Ravalli the house
recently killed a bill which would have
made an appropriation for support OF
an aviation commission in Montana
A bill creating the commission was re-
ported out of the aviation committee
without recommendation and will go on
general orders. Coultas read letters
from fliers all over Montana protesting
against the proposed bill. Harwood OF
Yellowstone attempted to save the ap-
preparation bill.
In spite of a stirring plea by John
Ritch, friend of the late Charlie Rus
sell. the house refused to make an ap-
preparation of $4,000 for a bust OF the
cowboy artist in statuary hall, Wash
irgton, D. c. In 1929 the house voted
a memorial selecting Russell as Mon
tana's representative in n hall.
@ @
Bills for the reduction of the cost OF
auto licenses were killed in the house
a few days ago by the highway commit
tee. Among them were plans for plates
at 81, with an additional cen gasoline
tax to make up the deficiency, and an
other bill for plates at So.
The highway committee killed H. Il
351, which would have provided that
all construction work be done by the
Montana highway commission elimi-
mating the present contract system.
@ @
The appropriation committee has ap-
proved H. B. 152, which would set aside
$50. 900 in the next two and a half years
for the state planning board, consist.
~ th~ 100000,