The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1939-1949, 1941-02-13
Serious S0lOns
Suspect Citizens
See Them Silly
Sen. Stinson says session
is still struggling to pass
sane laws; has chance to
get road construction

The people back home often
wonder whether we are working very
hard for the general benefit of the
state. We should probably write
from time to time and give our
version of legislation.
No matter how serious we think
we are, the people still think we are
rather funny. sometimes think the
legislature is unjustly criticized.
Many think that a bill is proposed
and that if it has unquestioned merit
or the proponant has the necessary
oratorical and persuasive ability, the
bill is passed. This is just the be-
ginning of the bills journey through
the legislature. I would like to take
you behind the scenes and let you
see what goes on in the committee
rooms where these bills are referred
for study. Hours and hours are
spent to see that the bill is written
so that it will accomplish its pur-
pose, will stand the test of the
courts, and that while doing good in
one place it will do no harm in an
other. We know that our hard work
has been the means of bringing out
some model laws which have been
copied word by word by other
states.
If we pass legislation too quickly,
we find that many times large dele
cations come over and claim we act
ed without giving the other side a
full hearing, so that we cannot rush
through lot of laws at the be-
ginning of the session.
The cities of our state are asking
for number of enabling acts and
as am chairman of the committee
on city government, it has taken I'D
considerable time. We try to make
it possible for cities and towns to
do the things they wish to do, but
shy away from as much must" leg
iSlation as possible. I fully believe
in the principle of having as few
laws as possible and you will no
tice that I have been very careful
in bringing out new measures.
This legislature will probably be
more economical than for some time
as there is quite a disposition to
give the taxpayer full consideration.
The courts decided today the ques-
ton of expenses of legislators. The
legislators will be paid expense
money the same as other state en-
ployees away from home on state
business. I voted against this mea-
sure. However, there are a lot Of
employees working for the state
getting expenses who are not as
much entitled to them as we are.
The daily papers often call at
tention to the excessive amount of
help. However, they only allowed
each Republican Senator one per-
son, and then only if the employee
was fully capable. If the Senate
has $50 employees, that means each
Democrat has about three.
This morning our special commit
tee had long conference with the
Governor regarding general legisla-
ton and methods of raising addi-
tional revenue to take care of the
Old Age Pension Act. Each branch
of our government must undertake
to work in harmony as much as
possible.
1t appears quite certain that our
Sunday Liquor laws will remain as
they are However, there will prob
ably be higher taxes on pinball
machines. .#
I am on SPECIAL committee
to sift out and determine what new
roads, if any, will be added to our
highway system. This assignment
will be of inestimable value in get
ting highway construction that so
vitality affects our district.
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