Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1939-01-14

Financial problems are expected
TO take the most prominent posi-
tiOns I'm the 25th Montana Iegis-
Iative assembly.
Experienced statehouse observers
point to the increased appropriations
requested by institutions and depart
ments, requests exceeding the esti-
mated income for the next biennium,
as indicating certain prolonged floor
and committee battles involving fiscal
policy.
Increases in old age pensions, to be
financed by a 2 percent sales tax,
have been advocated, and the financ-
ing Of the general public welfare pro-
gram Is expected to present another
major program.
It was predicted that a licensed
gambling bill again would be back for
consideration.
The Montana Municipal league has
Endorsed such measure. The league
also will seek diversion of so percent
Of the states car license fees to cities
of the first and second classes for road
construction and maintenance use, and
plans to back measure providing for
four-year terms for mayors and city
councilmen.
To Conserve Wudlife
Wildlife organizations of the state
are expected to back q bill which
would allow the Montana fish and
game department to participate under
federal allotments from the Pittman-
Robinson bill, measure which gives
money to states for promotion OF Wild
life activities. The money Is collected
from tax on the sale OF firearms
rs~4f$~r-xxs @w4xx Il
q measure making 1t compulsory to
report accidents have been advocated
by the Montana Safety council.
Montanans Inc, already has voted
TO recommend the legislature appro-
PIRATE $4,000 q year from the general
fund for use Of the highway depart
ment in tourist advertising and pro-
motion.
The ghost Of Montana's once con-
troversial but short lived self-insur-
ance law also will rise again to plague
the members Of the state legislative
assembly.
The law, which was In effect for
about 20 months In all, required that
all state property and the property OF
all political subdivisions OF the state
be insured with the commonwealth
rather than with insurance companies.
Passed In 1855
1t was passed by the 1885 legislative
assembly, after a hectic trip through
both houses Of that body, and went
into effect shortly after termination Of
that session. The plan remained In
operation from that time until 1t was
voted out Of existence at the general
election of November, 1886, and. the
governor proclaimed the result of that
a1nrficra IN - 49,
vlously, the state supreme court had
held cities were exempt from provi-
sions of the law on the ground they
were separate corporations.
Counties and school districts which
paid insurance premiums for three
year periods, as required by the state
insurance law, plan TO petition the
1889 legislative assembly for refunds
Of premiums paid for the period for
which the state could offer no insur-
ance coverage after the law had been
voted down and the policies declared
void.
A clerk to the state board Of exam
liners said that office which was
charged with the reinsurance end of
the states business under the law
has been receiving six to eight |
claims" every mail from counties and |
school districts which seek to have |
refunds made.
Requires Assembly Action
He pointed out there Is no other way |
The refunds could be made, except by |
legislative action. He estimated total |
requests for refunds would be approx
Imately $4,000"
The state, however Is faced with an
additional problem arising from op-
GRAFTON Of the self-insurance law In
That a ma fnrifv rsf fhn .n.,x,4tap ov,a |
school districts which were bound by
he measure to insure their properties
With the state failed to pay any pre-
niums.
The state paid the reinsurance pre-
NUNS on that property, together with
he other at the time the various poli-
les we're issued inasmuch as there
vas no reserve In the state insurance
ilnd.
At present about $4,000 is stiIl owing
ne state for policies issued for which