The IONE INDEPENDENT
IONE. OREGON
r.kUy, Mmr. 6, 1931
LEGISLATURE SHOULD
END GRIND THIS WEEK
Tird Lawmakers Will Probably
Start Horn Snon- ttiA
Moir Unusual One.
Builnan Man P.ot.-st Inttnfc'blss Tax
Session la Unuiual Power Re
stored to Covarnor New Trafflo
Hulea Publlo Servlej Commission
Out State Polloe Organlied.
Salem, Ore,, The Oregon lawmak
er convened Monday morning for the
eighth, and probably the I nut wok of
the SGih legislative assembly with
incwt of the Important measure
passed both bounce and In the bonda
of the governor. Tho taxation pro
tram bna been outlined In full detail
and will furnish the major argumente
for tho real of the eIon.
The tax relief program adopted by
legislative leaders and approved by
Coventor Melor seemed likely to
"tick" despite a series of lat minute
assaults on the program to reduco the
property tax by moens of a I.ger
levy on Intangibles,
The state, It baa now been d-cid.d
by the house of representatives, will
not return the 1929 Intangibles (h
fundi, and la committed to a program
which meana the eventual elimination
of the farm from atuto taxation.
An attack we made by Portland
buitlnen men who railed at the office
of Governor Moler to endeavor to win
li!a aupport to the plan to redue the
excise tax, and If possible to cut the
Intangibles levy and effect the return
of the 1929 money,
The business men protected to the
governor that the excise tox a In
creased under the new law would tend
to keep Industries from coming to the
at.-.te. (!uvermr Mf 'or, however, had
seen a protent of nnothtr sort a f v
tlay prvlou and give tho business
men only the satisfaction of knowing
that bo approved of tax reduction.
Business Man Protest.
The governor, however, wa em
(hallo la declaring that the tax pro
gram aa mapped out by the lcgtala
lure aeemed the only thing thot could
prevent the atate from being thrown
Into "a chaotic atate, and a tax re
billion by real property owner."
The governor waa referring to the
mauy m as meeting bHng held
throughout the atate In whUH the
heavy burden of the amall property
owner has been protested. Iteeriiily
a committee of 60 f irmer, repre cut
log associations with a membrrahlp of
thousands, called on the governor and
assured blm that the only answer tc
the present problem were either a
drastic property tax reduction or th
abandonment of the farm by Inublllt
to pay the taxes.
Governor Meier, at the meeting of
the 1'ortland buslnen men eald:
"We have here a state where 60 per
rent of tho area la owned by the fed
eral government. Out of the 40 per
lent we are attempting to malntuln
a government. The farmer of thl
a :U are at a point where If we do
not count to their rescue we will face
a tax burden twice aa heavy a any
thing that could come out of these
propoaij laws."
Section Moit Unusual.
Tho last of HiIh week will hear tho
legislative gavel fall for the hint time
rnd when the clock are atoppnl fot
" M" vrars the eslon v. Ill
'awatta,
mikymMmmmMi.-
Th fplklnrf ship St Paul
ington, Seattle, where all will
Itand oat hi memory probably a ib
tnott unuiual legislative assembly tula
nut ao far ever hai men.
The present economic nttuatlon In
the ulnlo, particularly with reference
to taxation, Iim created problem of
, n,ut maxnltui1 and mutual study of
I,AU. t . A. u,
. ,"vmK crcaiea a conn-
nun un me pari oi me legislators
in the ability, sincerity and good In
tntioii of the governor to reduce thp
cost of government,
In view of the premt emergency,
both house have about reached the
frame of mind that they are willing
to write Mr. Meier a blank check for
any legislation that be may doom
proper to better conditions. In no
othor session has the Incoming gov
ernor been handed so much of hl
demand.
Governor Moler as!id for power leg
Illation, the scope and future effect
or which no m.'tn row t.u y guess, Ho
got It.
Csvsrnor r.fflvn P:v sr.
Ho asked for Un ei.aetini-nt 0f
state police mer u- ( which w uld give
blm control of a i.t Mk r i J consollu'rt
ed police unit. He kol I hut,
He asked for the creation of a de
partment of agriculture, merging a
ilock of exltlng drpartu. nts and com
sessions under ono contratlaej head
Tli;it was given him.
He asked for the repeal of the 1 mill
market road levy, and that was band
ed to him.
He asked for the passage of th
muih dlscuHsed tunnel bill and thai,
changed In Its original terma but still
tapable of administration, was laid In
hi Isp,
He si-kid for the enactment of a
detiiJte program of tax reform and
relief, nnd that refluent Is sure to be
granted.
The passage of these bills rtstores
to the thief exutlve practically all
cf the power taken away from the gov
ernor' office when tho leglMuture
rose In revolt against the regime ol
Walter M. fierce. The enactment go
farther and border cloiuly on the es
tablishment of the concentration
which Is the principal feature of the
esblnet aystem of government, and
further consolidations ate contemplat
ed. A brief resume of the major high
way legialatkm follow:
For on thing there lis bum no
change In license fe or gas taxes.
They will remain where they havo
beon for the p;d two yars. The
surer ro.-d i!!trU t law h::s bee n
blocked by the provision tlut afiir
Jut o 1, of this year, no further uptr j
llt;?iy districts may be created un
dcr It. j
( hauff.-ur and operators of for hire !
'ar must pas examination b-fore I
heirg granted licenses to lirivo. Their
Menses rlso will carry a ruin upon
tthlih will be mnrked any conviction
or violations of the road or traffic
Ur.j.
Road Laws ChangcJ.
All Hi etit.es limy be called In ov( ry
thr o ears by the secretiuy of state,
ind new onea lssttil. There v. HI be
no examination required for the driv
e;a of private cars, though traffic con
vici.omi aud reckless driving can be
taken Into consideration In tho reis
suance of a lleenne.
The speed limit for passenger cais
has Icon raised to 45 miles, bus.srs
have tho same limitation, while trucks
have a maximum speed of .15 miles '
fixed tor them. To exeerd tha mired '
limit v 11 bo no crime, but f.;::.tr drlv
i.g than it specifics will be taken
Into consideration In enso of accident
Old Windjammer a Miiscum
:''Vi:'::v.s
- . - - - Itm, m
will soon become a m,enTSi
be able to vi.it her without cost
a evidence of recklessness,
Drunken driving carrlu Increasing
severity of Jull sentence, together with
fine or both.
The old arm signals, up for a right
hand turn, hot.itontol for the left and
down for a st . have boon rolustatod.
Freight true' i may not be operated
with less than 300 foot between them
on the hlgbwny, Blow driven must
liold to the right or be subject to fine
for failure to do so
...1 II. 1
Tho public service commission of
Oregon wa abolished and Charles M.
Tboma, Medford attorney, enthroned
M head of utility regulation In the
state at the stroke of a pen by Gov
ernor Julius L. Melor.
Publlo Strvlci Commioslon Out,
With tho signing: of tho public Mil
Itle commissioner net, around the pur
pose and terms of which a maelstrom
of political activity hod swilled for
the past 12 months, th chief execu
tive put Into cfiu t lu practical Inter
pretatlon of a cardinal plank of the
Joseph platform. Tho measure car
ried the emergency clause, and the
new system of utility regulation went
Into force Immediately on recalvlrg
the governor'a signature.
Mr. Thomas was e'.c j r.tcial
friend if the ;'o CiMirge V, Joseph,
aud was one of a group i' fot- stste ,
senator at the 1 J10 aocslou of too le:;
Mature which fought tho lo-ettHed
"paving trust."
Formation of a r.tate fcV.C9 system,
eentr.illlng t. i .. c hv enforcement
agenck-e U.redl ambr t : governor.
a authorized by tho ' llslctoru
when the bouse of r -prei; :ntatlv
passed the slate polleu Ml. by the
commanding voto o, J1 to o. The bill.
nsving already pai.aou the senate, ntnt !
to Governor Meier and received
prompt approval, In: mu. !i f. It wns
ono of the governo;'s princlj i.! neoia
niendntlons.
State Police Orgxniitd.
Consequently, Ounon will omraSe
under a new police system after
daja, probably beginning Ju.ie 1. The
date police department will be known
a. me uregon state polic." an cr
gnnixutlon formed and directed along
semi-military lines, with cayitinj.
lieutenants, sergeants, corporal and
privates, mounted on liorce and motor
and supplemented by a detective force
and an Identification bureau. This
set up will make the Oregon state po
lice resemble the New York slate
troiptrs and rcn:uy!v..i!a t:..!t iou
slabulary.
The use of "slink" bombs, which
have caused considerable aunoyai:ce
to Portland theater owners, I made
a criminal ofren?e under a hill ap
proved by the senate recently. The
bill originally was Introduced by 8: n
alor liurke, but later was amended
and revised by the revision of la.vs
com nil t tee.
"This bill Is directed at the racta-l
v"n" fortt& Senator ISooth
and
' ,lle ln,pre8t of the public
The aenate passed a bill Introduced
by Senator Hall under which the gov
ernor has authority to close the forests
timing certain season of the )er.
Senator Hall ssid the measure wss
Important for the reason that It would
give protection to timber.
These are some of tho high lights
of tho session's results. It will not be
until after the final adjournment ha
come and the mas may be more clear
ly and patiently analyxed that It full
scope may be worked out.
Your Chunce at Hand
The chnuce you are always seeking
Invariably lie close to hand. You
don't have to look far afield for It.
111,111 mnkn better Job out
"f J"D ' ' In tent cf nlwuya
lookl: :? fr n better J-.b. Is the one
who geta aloug best In this world,
Grit
y' i,. i , fc
m , , .ihih,
The old sh?o indeV ful
1
OREGON LEGISLATORS
IN SEVENTH WEEK
Lawmakers Start Grind "Sam
Pay"; Majority of Major
Bills Still Unpatied.
Power Program Bill Have Clear Sail
ingTax Program Outlined Brief
Resume of Accomplishment -Free
Ttxtbookt Uniform Road Law
Proposed Wag Reduction.
Salem, Ore. The end of the 40th
day of the 1931 legluiatlve assembly,
last Friday, the last day for the leg
islators' salary of $3 a day, round
both the house of representatives and
the senate unprepared to adjourn and
the house unwilling to fix a date for
adjournment. It was moved by Itepro
aentatlve Gordon, Multnomah, that ad
journment sine die be set for Thurs
day. February 28, which would make
six days overtime without pay, but the
motion was voted down.
In the senate the reading clerk read
a Joint resolution Introduced by Sen
ators Jay If. Upton and U L. Mann,
asking the governor to call Immediate
ly a special aesslon of the legislature,
but It was killed by indefinite post
ponement by a vote of 11 to 11.
The seventh week of the law making
session opened Monday morning with
a majority of the major legislation
sllll to be enacted. In fact few of
the Important bills have passed both
houses and gone to the governor for
final consideration, but reit either In
! committee, or at the half-way point
between the bouse of their origin
i and the other branch of the assembly.
The legislature started Its overtime
session with 70 proposals awaiting ac
tion In both housca. The senate,
among Its 41 bills on filrd reading,
will have for consideration the Tuala
tin tunnel bill following Its report
after having been rewritten several
times, and after an attempt had been
made to relieve the state of respon
, ,'blllty In thla proposed
i hfKhwav nroiect
15.000,000
i The new "tunnel bill" aa It now la
. framed provide for the creation of a
tunnel commission of three membertv
appointed by the governor, who can
finance and construct tunnels any
whore within the atate. It is Intended,
of course, to apply specifically to the
projected tunnel uadur Council Crest
in Portland.
Power Bills Complete.
It look a though the "power pro
gram" bills of the administration are
practically out of the way, with clear
sailing ahead of them, for their en
actment by both houses of the legis
lature, and their approval by the gov
ernor, is a foregone conclusion as part
of the administration power program,
r.der the spur of the "mandate of the
people."
The aenate changed the name of the
Itoosevelt highway to the Oregon
Coast highway and defeated the Port
land policemen's and firemen's pen
sion bill after four hours of debate
on the three measures. The Coast
highway bill and the Portland pension
bill had previously passed the lower
bouse.
The senate consistently adhered to
the policies of Governor Meter by
passing by the decisive vote of 21 to
9 the senate bill providing for the
creation of a state dopartment of
rgrlculture. The measure was also
advocated, however, by ex Governor
Norbland In bis retiring message and
v.-ns not strictly an administration bill.
Taxation presents a complex sitga
1 Hon, but with the tar.atba coniuili.ecs
virtually in agreement with the gover
j nor on a program for this legislation
I 't la believed that the matter will be
, disposed of with less than the usual
i Mekerlng. Under th agreed plan tb
Mate will proceed virtually as follows:
Tax Program Outlined.
Appeal the intangibles tax case to
the United State supreme court, hold
up a refund of the 900,000 paid In
under the Invalidated intangible tax
on 1929 incomes, re-enact an Intangl
bles tax at an 8 per cent rate effec
tive In 1931 on 1930 Incomes, Increase
the rate on the excise tax from 5 to
S per cent, submit the new Intangibles
'ax to the voter at a peclnl elec
ion together with .the queslon of Jn
Teasing the tax base for one year to
nake the law effective without run
ting afoul of the per cent limitation.
These changes are designed to
lasten relief of taxes on reul prop
rty. The Kiddle one-mill market
ond tax repeal, as amended to pro
ilde for the state highway comntl?
ilon to create a secondary system oi
-oads and relieve the counties of the
xpenso, is aimed at the same thine
ind is likely to pass. Tobacco sales
'ax and other so-called nuisance taxei
tre not likely to receive considers
Ion. The Increase In rates of th.
ntunglbles and excise taxes is cot
nln to meet opposition.
Brief Resume.
The senate killed the game cod.
'111. A brief aummary of what ha
been done may be of interest in show
lig what ground the legislature hn:
covered up to tha end of the sixJ.
week.
The aocalled "hone racing bill" la
up for consideration in the house early
In the week. It provides for pari
mutuel betting at county fairs and the
ntale fair, with a percentage of the
betting fund to be given to the fair
hoard for premium payments.
The house killed the measure,
which would have provided a four
year course for normal school train
in, Instead of the present two-year
course. The bill wa Indefinitely post
poned. The bill of Scott of Umatilla, to re
duce the salaries of circuit Judges,
was killed by the house.
Old-age pension were rejected by
the house, which also refused to re
consider its negative stand.
The senate passed the butter stand
arde bill by a vote of 21 to 7. It now
Join Ita companion measure, the
cream gradins bill In the bouse.
Mott' reolutIon wa rejected, pro
viding for the submission of a con
stitutional amendment which, if en
acted would have prohibited direct
taxes for state purpose to be levied
on real property.
Free Textbook.
A resolution providing for consoli
dation of city and county government
between PorMand and Multnomah
county was passed by the house and
now I In the senate. It would sub
mit a constitutional amendment au
thorizing such consolidation.
The house passed the Anderson bill,
providing that workmen unable to
collect their wacea from emcloyera
could sue through the state labor com -
missioner.
The so-called "free textbook" bill
has passed both bouses and Is in the
hands of the governor for bla con
sideration. The 70 car train bill aponsored by
the railroad brotherhood organizations
was killed In the senate after two
bitter fights.
The tobacco tax bill Is dead, while
the proposed measure putting a tax
on malt and another doing the same
thing on billboards. Is In the ways and
means committees.
The senate refused to follow Sena
tor Woodward In his desire to repeal
the provision of the corrupt practices
act limiting the expenditures that law
fully maty be made by candlates for
office.
Senator Ed?'s administration bill
creating a state police force, or state
constabulary, is resting quietly in the
lap of the senate committee on re
vision of law. General belief la that
It will continue to sleep its life away,
unless the administration puts force
enough behind it to drive It through.
Uniform Road Laws.
Oregon moved to Join Washington
and California in establishing uniform
traffic regulation and "rules of the
road" on the Pacific slope, the first
formal step being taken by the lower
house of the legislature In passing
bouse bill No. 355. The uniform traf
fic bill, handled by Representative
Andrews. Multnomah, passed the
house with only three dissenting votes
and adverse comment by Representa
tive Mott of Marion county.
Probably the most Interesting fea
ture of the uniform traffic bill is that
it remove the 35 mile speed limit
on the Ofen highway, and, moreover,
regulatea the alow or "pokey" driver
Under this provision, Mr. Andrew ex
plained, every vehicle must keep pace
with the average speed of vehicles.
The new provision on speed is that
the niLtor'i:! must operate his car in
a safe and prudent manner, being sub
Ject to arrest for violation of the basic
rule of safety, whether driving at five
miles or 50 miles an hour. Three
speeds' are designated as dividing
points between minimum and maxi
mum penalties. These speeds arc:
Open road, 45 miles; residential dis
tricts, 25 miles; schools and railroad
crossings, 15 miles.
The bill provides uniform arm sig
nals throughout the state and sets
up a higher standard for brake ef
ficiency. Propose Wage Reduction.
Senator Burke has introduced a
bill which, if approved by betli
branches of the legislature, would re
duce the salaries and wages of a large
number of public employes 10 pc,
cent.
The proposed salary and wage re
ductions would affect all atate, coun
ty, municipal, port and school dls
triets, boards and commissions, with
the exception of persons who receive
$125 or les a month, and those whose
offices are created by the state con
stitution. The reductions would become ef
fective July 1, 1931, and continue un
til July 1, 1933.
The grand legislative melee started
Monday and the "big push" of the
session was well under way by Mon
day night.
The houses are meeting early and
adjourning late. Debate has been re
stricted to five minutes, for each mem
her, but it has proved a weak expe
dient so far since some one is nearly
always willing to yield his time to
those who desire to talk. Thla privi
lege will be more frequently denlod
as tho session continues and tha pre
vious question will ba moved to cut
'iff prolonged oratory.
Lexington News
Miss AMABEL STRODTMAN
Mr. and Mrs. H. M. Bull de
parted on Thursday for Wallowa.
Oregon, where they will reside in
the future. Mr. Bull has been
manager local o'fice of Kerr, Gif
ford and Company for the past
two yeara and ha3 ken sent to
the new location by that company.
A social evening was enjoyed
by members of the Lexington
Parent-Teachers Association in
the school auditorium on Wednes
day evening last. A handsome
birthday occupied the center of
the stage and was lighted by Am
abel Strodtman in honor of Foud-
ers Day. A short business spsinn
followedafterwhich refreshments
of cake and coffee were served.
R. II. Lane went to Portland
on a short business trip Monday.
Mr. and Mrs. S. S. Strodtman
were business visitors in Hepp
ner, Monday.
A dance was given in Leach
Memorial hall on Saturday even
ing by the Echo orchestra.
The Lexington girls grade
school team defeated Heppner on
1 the latter's floor last Thursday
. oy a score of 4 - 2.
Several friends gathered at the
home of Mr. and Mrs. E. T. Bur
chell on Friday evening to wish
their daughter Grace a happy
birthday. Those present were Na
omi McMillan, Amabel Strodt
man, Winford Duvall, Sam Mc
Millan, and Vernon Scott
Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Slo
cum are moving from the Sadie
Lewis residence to the Congrega
tional parsonage.
A farewell party was given
for Harvey and Lucile Wiggles
worth at their Blackhorse home.
Saturday evening by a number
of their friends. Harley and Lu
cile plan to leave on Sunday for
lioardman where they will finish
this term of school.
The boys basketball team of
Lexington High School journey
ed to Arlington on Friday to play
in the tournament They lost to
Umatilla, 24 - Hand were defeat
ed by Arlington 20 - 22. The boys
who made the trip were Kenneth
Warner, center; Emmett Kuns
and Lewellyn Evans, auards: Ar
chie Munkers and Dale Lane for
wards with Jim Valentine, Ves
ter Thornburg and Buck Rhule
as substitutes.
Mr and Mrs. W. F. Barnett ac
companied by Mrs. Sarah White
were visitors at the home of Mr.
Mrs. Gerald White, in Hermiston,
on Sunday.
Women's Topic Club
Ruth Rietmann, Sec.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Smouse
were hosts to the Woman's Topic
Club Friday evening ?.t their ranch
home. Bridge was tli2 diversion
of the evening. Present were Mr.
and Mrs, Earl Blake, Mr. fnd
Mrs. Victor Petesson, Omar Riet
mann, Mrs. Inez Freeland, Mr.
and Mrs. J. E. Swanson. MLu
Eva Swanson, Mr. and Mrs. Vic
tor Rietmann, and Carl Troedson.
High awards were made to Mrs.
Victor Peterson and Eail Blake.
Low scores were made by Mrs.
Victor Rietman and Victor Peter
son. Refreshments consisting of
salads, cheese straws, ice cream,
cake and coffee were served.
Weather Report
For February
Morgan Station
o of Clear Davs llfO
Vo partly cloudy days 8.00
Mo cloudy days 9.00
Sleet on th 22nd
Total precipitation 0.34
! otal recipitaticn since
September 1 3.78
Kor same period last year 5. DC
irtclion of prevailing wnniM.t.
R. E. Harbison,
Co operativt Obsarver,