The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-01-24
Legislative Notes

now matter Of history, q the two,
Montana law.making branches are
losing little time in Slipping into high
rear 10 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
ghen were enacted and signed by the
Governor, while the only semblanee
f legislation proposed in the senate
gere two joint resolutions. The two.
'irst acts of the assembly to become
avs were those extending the open
;easen on elk in Park county, and
providing S185,000 for legislative sal
aries and expenses.
It is indicated the Montana house
night have its first glimpse at the
lnicameral legislative plan. If intro
mced 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
one-houea legislature of from 30 to
so members. 1t would be incumbent
upon the legislature to fix the actual
membership. Inasmuch as the Mon
lana 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 bill will be intro
dueed in the lower body asking $780,
900 for the support of the fair dur
ing this bienniuna.
Senator Mike Sullivan, jefferson,
has announced he will introducesmeas-
ures memorializing 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-
qnate supply for livestock throughout
the year. W.
II this assembly provides for
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 G. 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
k,political differences. Though it has
been the custom of the party in pow
err to take everything in sight, be-
| lieve the time has come when it will
benefit US all to change this system,
/ the speaker added.
The four members Of the house who
failed to get any committee assign
ments during the first week included
two Of the Lewis and Clark delega-
ton, Toomey and Padhury. The other
two are Connors Of Silver Bow anc
Coutas OF Ravalli. Speaker Pilgerar
In on one committee, that on rules
and order Of business.
Henry r. Green Of Dawson county
Republican, is the only member O
the appropriations committee Of las
session who is again on the commit
tee this year. He has served on tina
committee ever since he has been !
member Of the house, which is sincs
/ the seventeenth session in 1921. Doe O
/ Granite was on the committee las
Iyear, but was not appointed this ses
sion.
/ Dennis Daugherty Of Fallon, mem
her of the house last session, has re
turned to Helena. He has been ap
pointed to the position Of doorkeepe
1.-THE main thing | wanted" he SAYS
twas to get chance to watch tn
legislature in session"
John r. Page. the Democratic sen
!. ator. from P'hilipsburg, Granite co .p
ty, belongs in that class known a
the "oldtimers." He received his frs
legislative experience in the hous
in the 1915 and 1917 sessions and ha
served in the senate during the as
semblies OF 1919, 1921, 1923, 1926
1881 and 1888.
"Honest John" Mclaughlin, the vii
lage blacksmith philosopher minis
ter representative from Stevensvills
Ravalli county, is one Of the most per
severing men in either Legislative
chamber. He ran for public office !
times before his successful effort Q
last November. He Is Republican.
A shortage of lawyers in the ser
ate made difficult the selection OF
Judiciary committee. There appeare
To be only seven known lawyer-sens