The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1941-01-16
.S0|ons Pass
Legislation
First Week
Montana Assembly Jumps
Into Work Without
Hesitation.
GETS EARLY start
IN INTRODUCING BILLS
by Edward ]. H1fl1a


United Press Staff Correspondent
HELENA, Jan. s3.-M Mon
tana's legislators really eot down
to work during their first week in
the capitol. Although they held
brief sessions, by weeks End they
had completed their organizations.
received IL proposals for legislation,
and enacted one measure into law.
This was the biennial feed" bill
by which the legislators appropri-
ate their own per diem salaries,
their mileage accounts, and provide
for payment OF attaches and en-
ployes, and other costs of the ses-
sion.
The feed bill went through in
record time. In little more than
four hours, it had been introduced
in the house OF representatives,
passed with only one dissenting
vote; sent to the senate, which al
SO passed it quickly, then went to
Gov. Ford for signature, and
checks were being distributed.
The volume of early legislation
oAA RAAoS0 VCtCA Gil SbdkGlOA0E III
respondents and officials Rarely,
they said, did legislature start
pouring bills and notices OF bills
into the hopper during the first
week, and usually devoted the time
to leisurely selection OF committees
and getting acquainted.
Only one bit Of horseplay marked
the week--the notices OF bills"
dealing with the states legion Of
honorary colonies. The senate was
given notice OF bill to place q
500 per capita tax On all honorary
colonies and to use the money Sd
collected to enforce proper respect
and regard" for the colonies. The
Fhnu6e ylx notil1t = I'LL No1lA -
|introduced to call MI the colUneIs
into active service, and to forbid the
appointment Of any honorary rear
admira1s.
The notices were the result of
Gov. Roy E. Ayers appointment of
298 honorary colonies during his
last week in office.
On the serious side, the legislators
started preliminary action on sew
eral of Gov. Ford's recommends
tons. Bills calling for reapportion-
ment of the house OF representatives
in line with the 1910 census; for
investigation of the possibility OF
reorganizing the state government,
for investigation of salaries paid
officials and teachers at Montana
State university, investigation OF
salaries paid in all state depart
ments, for creation of mon po-
liticar' state highway commission
either were introduced or given no.
tice in one house or the other.
Memorials asking congress to en-
act the Townsend old age pension
plan; to take notice of fifth col
umn" activities; endorsing the Dies
committees investigation Of I'M
American activities, were intro
duced or given notice.
Bills intended to extend the tax
moratorium for farmers and small
businessmen; making silicosis SUIT
ferers eligible for relief; calling for
an eight-hour collar-to-collar day
in mines; amending laws concern
ing small estates, and demanding
abolition OF the state forestry
board, all were listed for future
action.
Repeal of the state Hitler act"
which gives the governor power to
hire or discharge all state en-
ployes except elected officials, also
was slated for early consideration.
Governor Ford, in his inaugural
message, asked repeal of the meas
ure on the grounds it was dan
gerous."
Late in the week, Gov. Ford was
taken i'll with severe cold and
was forced to remain away from his
office three days.