The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1943-03-18

projects, tending TO
cripple the efficiency of the agen-
cies engaged in cooperation under
the federal act.
1T will be readily seen that while
the basic survey work is virtually
complete, there will always be a
need for a certain amount of IN
vestigation in maintaining we'll
balanced restoration program, the
governor said. New problems
must at times present themselves,
and it seems to me unwlse to do
anything that would tend to nam
per a prompt and wise solution of
these problems.
Three of the appropriations bills
signed call for appropriations of
81, 1926. 400 for operation of custodlal
institutions during the next bien-
.nium.-$ SILT, 909 for operation of
state elective offices. and SGT $50 as
a deficiency ALLEGATION to certain
state Institutions Another provides
for a biennial appropriation of $40
900 to provide for the care of de-
pendent and neglected children in
foster homes.
Most important legislation TO re-
ceive the governors approval was
the state highway treasury anticipa-
ton debenture act of 1943. With
his signature. Gov. Ford issued a
proclamation calling for special
election June 8, at which voters
will be asked to approve the 3d.
100000 highway debenture issue.
The funds would be used to re-
habilitate the states highway sys-
TEN after the war. matching ED
eral funds to be allocated to Mon
tana by the bureau of public roads.
The amount Of the debenture is
sue was reduced by the senate from
S1O000.000, originally asked by a
committee appointed by the gov
ernor to set up the postwar high
way construction program. The de-
bentures would be issued during
the years 1914 to 1916.
Repayment would be made with
money derived from a one-cent in
crease in the state gasoline tax and
five-cent increase in the tax on
diesel fuel oil, provided for in the
act.
Another bill signed by the gov
ernor provides for a juvenile court
in conjunction with district courts
The measure liberalizes present juv-
emile court laws and provides for q
more equitable treatment of iuve-
nile delinquents and law violators
under Is years Of age.
| The act states as its purpose, as
| far as practicable, any delinquent
child shall be treated. not as Grim
inal but as misdirected and mis-
guided. and needing aid, encourage
ment, help and assistance.
Among the other measures which
have now become law are bills re-
curing employers operating under
| the state industrial accident bpare
to provide sufficient money te
furnish artificial requirements Of
certain body members lost by work.
er in the course of employment
creating the Montana state boare
of health. and guaranteeing recipi
ents Of old age pensions and othe
forms of relief they will be re
turned to their status at the close o
seasonal employment.
George Newcomer, youthful
White Sulphur Springs attorney
last week lost his appeal in Lew
and Clark county district court ask
ing that Attorney General r. Y
| Bottomly be ousted from office an,
he be seated
In a 36-page opinion, Judge Fran,
P Leiper held that NieWoehnel
who claimed the office by virtue Z
having received ia Write-in vote
at the general election last Nc
vember, was not entitled to the oil
flee because no official notice ha
been given the voters that an cleo
ton for the office was to be hele
i. He ruled that the young attorney
petition be dismissed and that Bot
tomly be declared the qualified a
torney general of Montana.
Judge Leiper further held tina
although in his opinion the militar
absence law passed in l94l was LII
constitutional, he was bound by
previous ruling of the supren
court in which it was declare
constitutional.
The higher courts decision ";
rendered in test case brought |
Secretary of State Sam Mitchc
against Howard Gullickson, wi
had been appointed acting alto
ney general by Gov. Sam c. Fol
when Attorney General John
Bonner entered the army. Guile
son later entered the armed fore
and Bottomly was appointed to SUI
coed him.
The military absence law, Cha
ter At of the laws of 1941, provid
for the unemployment of elect
state officers upon completion
their period of service in the arm
| forces and empowers the govern
to appoint acting officers to ser
during their term Of absence.
| Basing his decision on the s
| preme court opinion, Judge Lelr
ruled that Bottomly is the att
ney general until Bonner's term
completed in 1914 or until Bonr
returns from the army.
Bottomly's pay as attorney &c
, eral has been withheld since N