The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1936-12-10
Work
For Many
New Laws
Farmers Union Has Big
Program of Legislation
for Coming Session.
STRONG INFLUENCE
IN BOTH HOUSES

HEI4ENA.-With the opening Of the
legislature now only month away in
terest is centering in the organization
of the house and state and the different
legislative measures that will ba
proposed.
The Farmers Union which took an
active part in the election of both state
senators and representatives in many
districts in nonpartisan way, and will
have strong representation in both
bodies, has complete legislative pro-
gram outlined and will seek to get these
measures through both bodies at the
coming 60-day session.
This program, which was adopted at
the state convention of that organiza-
ton held in Great Falls in October, in
cludes the following:
Change in primary law to allow
in the primary election just as they do
now at the election.
2-Submitting amendment to con-
stitution authorizing legislature to ex-
empt property up to $500 used for
residential purposes.
3-Amend state insurance law so
particular risks applicable to communi-
ties may be determined by local of
ficers and no premiums paid for risks
not pertinent to such localities.
passage of agricultural conserva-
ton act to obtain federal grants which
are permitted to states by federal gov
eminent
5-Extension of present law relating
to penalties and interest on delinquent
taxes.
6-Require public utilities to file an
nual statement Of value Of all property
| for rate making purposes and using
same for tax assessment purposes.
Make legal rate Of interest not to
exceed six percent.
S-Prohibit deficiency judgments
without exemptions in all cases.
9-Teaching cooperative economics
in all Montana elementary and higher
institutions of learning in as aggressive
and positive manner and in accordance
with the best methods Of teaching as
any other science now taught. All
teachers required to obtain at least four
quarter credits approved academic and
professional preparation in cooperative
economics to obtain legal certificate
to teach the social studies in the schools
of Montana.
4 10-Equalization tax on distillate, fuel
oil or any other motive power used in
any carrier or vehicle using the state
highway system, equal to the present
tax on gasoline for the same purpose
11-Legislation whereby farmers pay
the entire county expense of the coun-
ty extension agent and giving the
farmers the right to hire and fire such
agents.
1o-Amend absent voter law to stop
alleged present abuses.
13-License outside dealers who buy
livestock and poultry from farmers in
, the state.
Acknowledging so-caIled intangl-
bles.
Tax on pipe lines, telephone and
telegraph lines.
Changes in income tax law.
, establishment OF state bank.
Adoption Torrens land title system
Changes in division of school moneys
!, One board, preferably state hail
,, commission, to handle all insurance.
81 Regulation of speed and loads oil
trucks on highways.
!, This latter list was included in the
: legislative program of two years ago
: but was omitted from Legislation
adopted
: In addition to the above program, the
: convention went on record as favoring
the following:
Am adequate old age pension. A
to the amount or method of raising
!. the money for it, no action was taker
: but the convention went on record by
a majority vote as opposing sales
tax-the method proposed by DR.
Townsend for raising pension funds.
development, distribution and sale
Of electric power for rural electrified
J, ton purposes by the government a
I Fort Peck and other government prof.
ects and prevent such power falling
into the hands or under control of pri-
n vate industry. Reserve such power t.
the people for general use on basi:
= similar to the plan Of the TENNESSEE
" Valley authority.