The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1945-03-01
legislature
Writes Fins
Today
Legislation Passed
Is of Far-Reaching
Importance.
PLANS MADE TO
HELP SOLDIERS

VOLUME Xiv
BY Harry l.. Carlson

BY Harry l.. Carlson
United Press Staff Correspondent
Observation-Disclosures 18th
legislative assembly was scheduled
to adjourn today Thursday after
q 6O-day wartime session at which
legislation aimed at the states huge
postwar construction, development
and general economic future was
adopted.
Although the number of mea-
sures adopted was the smallest in
more than 20 years, the cross-sec-
ton of legislation passed and sent
to the governor for his approval
was Of tremendous and far-reaching
Importance to Montana's 100000
citizens and its $4,000 returning
servicemen and war workers.
Still Undecided
Still undecided, however, was
the question of whether Montana
second district would be represent
ed in Congress for the next 10
months. With all legislative roads
closed to selecting successor to
Rep. James F. O'Connor Montana's
late congressman from the eastern
district. some of the states top
legal figures this week were prob
ing statutes in search Of a method
by which the Governor could call
special election
It vas reported that some private
lawyer or lawyers possibly would
make court test of existing state
laws in last-chance effort to clear
the way for the. second district to
be represented in Congress for the
balance of O'Connor's term
O'Connor was reelected Demo-
cratic congressman from The east
ern district at last November's gen
eral election. He died suddenly last
January Ia, just two weeks after
he had started his second term.
Montanas other congressman is
Rep Mike Mansfield, Democrat from
the first (Western) district, also re-
elected last November
The state senate, climaxing prob
ably the most controversial issue Of
the 10Th assembly, rejected mo-
ton to suspend the rules and ac-
cept house bill providing for a
special primary election last week,
thereby killing the only remaining
legislative solution to the problem
of filling a congressional vacancy
The day before. the house reject
ed for second time senate pro-
posal to choose nominees for the
vacancy by party conventions in
another startling development The
solid Democratic minority, with the
support of IL baking Republicans,
overcame the Republican attempt
to push the senate-approved bill
through to adoption.
Gov. Sam G. Ford, who has been
probing Montana laws in an at
tempt to find authority to call a
special election in the event that
one Of the legislative proposals was
adopted, still believed he had no
executive power over the matter.
No Solution
Attorney General r. v. Bo.tomly
agreed.
I'VE believe that after thorough
study of Montana's laws that there
is no method by which nominating
conventions or primaries can be
held, nor is there any authority for
holding special general elections, =
Ford said,
/ hope, however, that after fur
ther study some method can be
found so that Montanas second dis
trios can be represented in Con-
gress during the next 10 crucial
months" the governor said.
He added that he would not in
stitute any court test of existing
statutes on the matter. 1t was gem
orally understood, however, that
prominent Montana attorneys were
preparing briefs to present to the
state supreme court early next
week in an effort to clear the way
for special primary and general
elections, called by the governor.
The legislature was expected to
complete its work easily by its adj
journment date, March / (today)
Both houses virtually cleared their
boards of pending legislation at the
second Sunday session of the as
sembly last Sunday, and had all
bills back to the house of origina-
ton by the Monday deadline.
Most important legislation adopt
ed during the past week follows.
Pass Important Bills
l. The most significant measure
of the session, creating an LINEN
Der commission on postwar plan
ming and appropriating S4,500,000 to
carry out comprehensive construc-
tion and development program al
state institutions after the war.
2. A measure providing for issu-
ance Of 100000 in bonds to con
struct new buildings and make 9TH
er improvements at the state men
tai hospital in Warm Springs.
3. All major appropriation bills
appropriating nearly S20,000,000 fol