Evening star., 1939-01-03
Social Legislation
Holds Top Place
In State Capitals
33 Legislatures S Will
Begin Their Work
In Jonuory
Rxtfe Associated Presx.

oy tIt hSeOSAateu 1icSes
CHICAGO, Jan. Social legisla-
ton, given an impetus by the New
Deal, occupied top position on the
calendars Of most of the 80 State
Legislatures convening this month,
a majority of which are under Re-
publican control for the first time
in several years.
| A national survey showed today
most State lawmaking groups would
be asked to enact labor, social Sc
curity. old-age pensions and wage
hour legislation.
Fiscal, relief, civil service, penal
reform and sales tax problems were
other major issues,
Wage and hour bills will be spon-
sored in 10 States-California, Ne
vada, Utah, New Hampshire, YER
mont, North Carolina, Maryland,
Massachusetts,, New Jersey and
Wyoming.
Budget balancing will be a major
concern of initial sessions in Utah,
South Carolina, Connecticut, Mich
igan, Colorado, Florida and Ohio.
Financial experts have predicted
that South Cardinals deficit at the
end of its fiscal year would be So
OOO, 900 to $4,000 900, Colorados ST.
900 900 and Ohio's $14,000,000 to
SIT ,O00. 900.
In Is States old-age pensions or
relief financing will be principal
issues. Iowa, Illinois and New
Mexico will consider increased pay
ments to pensioners.
Certain to attract national atten-
ton will be the Massachusetts Legis-
lature's action on attempts to repeal
the States controversial teachers
oath law. which requires teachers TO
swear allegiance to the State and
National Constitutions as pre-
requisite to employment.
Republicans Hold New York.
New York's Legislature-the first
with Republican majorities in both
Houses since l932-has the task of
passing enabling legislation for 81
constitutional revisions approved by
the electorate.
The Missouri legislative session
starting tomorrow. may develop an
other test of Democratic strength
between Gov. Lloyd c. Stark and +
j. Pendergast Kansas City party
leader. In the last primary Gov
Stark won a skirmish with Mr.. PEN
dergast over Supreme Court nomi-
nation.
Penal reforms loomed as ma jor
issues in three States. A proposal to
erect Little Alcatraz' for incor
rigible boys seemed likely to be made
in Kansas, and. in Arizona bills to
make administrative positions IN
penal institutions non-political were
ready for introduction. A reform OF
the State Jail system including es-
tablishment of regional Jail farms
and an installment plan for payment
of fines. was an issue in Virginia.
Relief Major Problem.
Relief will be a major problem in
Maryland. Oregon, New Jersey. Mon
tana. Idaho, California and Penn
Sylvanla.
States which switched to Repub-
lican majorities in both Houses since
the previous legislative sessions were
New York, Oregon. Iowa. Wyoming
Idaho. Ohio. Minnesota, Rhode
Island and Pennsylvania Nebraska
which has but one House and is non
partisan. theoretically has Repub-
lican majority.
Democrats retained control in II
States and Republicans did likewise
in five. In the remainder control Is
either split or tied.
Legislatures convened yesterday ir
Montana, Idaho. Tennessee anc
Ohio. They convened today in Cali.
fornia, Rhode Island, Minnesota
Nebraska, Pennsylvania and Okla
homa.