The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-01-10
Legislative Notes

The twenty-fourth regular legislative
assembly opened in Helena January 7
with well lawmaking program. 1t
has been suggested In many quarters,
the problem OF legislative organization
will be the first major issue to be
settled. In the house the Democrats
hold 65 seats and the Republicans "a.
In the senate with partisan forces
evenly aligned with % seats each, the
selection OF president pro tempore
may not be so mechanical as 1t will be
In the house and the final outcome
may be Indicative OF the session align
ment OF strength.
It Is said bill for the consolidation
and reorganization OF the various coun-
ties In the state will be presented; 1T
will provide for thu abandonment of
the organization of every county hav-
Ing taxable value of less than $4,000
600. This would reduce the number OF
counties from 56 to rs or 20; however,
this bill would require referendum
measure to be submitted at the 1896
general election, to be voted on by all
the qualified electors OF the state.
A sales tax measure was proffered
last year at the special legislative
session and met with decisive de-
feat, however 1t has been predicted in
view OF the fact that other states are
operating successfully under the new
sales tax law that 1t will be given due
consideration by Montana statesmen
at this session.
Arguments In favor OF the BALES tax
have been headed by the contention
that such levy hits all classes OF
state residents alike. and that 1t helps
to eliminate the burden OF real estate
owners.
I been led by Montana merchants. with
their forces joined recently with the
Farmers Union.
A bill to repeal the present hard
liquor law, with probable revisions Of
the beer act. 1t is said, is one OF the
measures that the advocates Of the
open saloon win endeavor to have
enacted
A state highway patrol. regulation
OF trucks and drivers license law,
all pertaining to the driving OF auto
mobiles. 1t is said will be threshed out
at this session.
The reorganization OF the fish and
game laws, which has been given 50
much publicity for the past year, will
be taken under consideration, 1t is
rumored.
The Farmers Union Of Montana at
q convention held last month recon-
mended II different measures 70 be
presented at this legislative session
among them being the changing II the
fiscal year OF the counties from July
1st to December 31st OF each ear,
the passage OK a non-partisan hallnt
system whereby all county candidates
must file without party designation,
| the passage OF homestead act where
by homesteads would be exempt from
taxation up to $4,000 OF their value.
Otter matters, sponsored by various
organizations, will be presented at the
session, including an extensive pro-
gram by the Montana Farmers Union
which advocates. Revision OF the gen.
eral property tax with adequate exemp-
| tions on home furnishings and imple-
ments used In production; graduated
! tax on incomes, increased taxes and
more extensive methods OF levying
| on intangibles. various utility license
| taxes consolidation OF the public serv-
| ice commission and the state board OF
equalization; building OF a state oil
| refinery; establishment OF a state
| bank. election OF county officials on
non-partisan basis, and other similar
proposals.
!, Newspaper men In this Legislative
assembly include the following: G. M
Moss OF the Whitefish Pilot, Jack Nc.
/ Cahsland OF the Forsyth Independent
Chas. l.. Stevens, Great Falls News
and w. Ss"Bill' Kelly Of the Kalispell
Monitor.
SINCE the 1894 permits which netted
Montana s49,8O2 up to the end Of No.
vember, became void last Monday al
midnight, liquor sales are said to have
fallen off precipitately over the state
| Secretary Of State Sam W. Mitchell
a member Of the state liquor contro
board, advocates outright repeal o.
that section of the state law and an
nounced he would see that repea
/ bill is drafted and introduced at thu
earliest possible moment
There were others, however, WIKI
took serious cognizance of the none
tary benefits under the permit plar
and that stiff fight might ensut
was foreseen.
Mitchell said he believed the legis
lature would act promptly on the re
peal provision and he urged custom
ers Of the state stores to buy permit!
rood for 50 days only. He thinks tn,