Imperial Valley Press

Session Measures Wait Signature

SACRAMENTO, Feb. 1. (UP) - Bills providing for complete reorganization of California's penal system and for war ballots for servicemen Tuesday awaited signature by Governor Earl Warren following adjournment of a special session of the state legislature.

Under the war ballot bill, the state's primary election for presidential electors and candidates for congress and state elective officers would be held May 16. Previously the elections were separate.

Members of the armed forces and Red Cross and civilians working overseas would have 56 days in which to receive and return ballots for the May primary and 76 days for the general election Nov. 7.

On the May primary ballot, voters will decide for or against a state constitutional amendment permitting the state to tax federal property.

PRISON BILL

The prison bill, effective 90 days after the governor's signature, provides the following:

1-Establishment of a department of justice, headed by attorney general Robert W. Kenny, which would include the present state bureaus of criminal identification and investigation and narcotics enforcement.

2-A department of correction under a director appointed by the governor, whose nomination and (Continued on page 6, col. 1)
Session's Bills Wait Signature

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those of prison wardens must be confirmed by the senate.

3-An "adult authority," composed of three men at $10,000 a year each, to fix prison terms, grant paroles and advise the governor on pardons and commutations.

4-An 11-member board of corrections, including two members of the present state board of prison directors, two women members from the board of trustees of Tehachapi prison, the director of corrections and members of the adult and youth authorities.

5-Abolition of the advisory board, the state board of prison terms and paroles and the department of penology.

6-Relegation of the board of prison directors to function of an advisory board to the director of corrections.

HOW LAWMAKERS VOTED

The prison bill was ready for Warren's signature following final passage of a joint conference report 52 to 13 in the assembly and 33 to 3 in the senate.

In both houses Warren's supporters had heavy majorities on all votes but one. This was the senate confirmation of Julian H. Alco, San Francisco, to a 10-year appointment on the state board of prison directors. His appointment was confirmed by a bare majority of 21 to 13. Senate rules require at least 21 votes for confirmation.

Alco announced in San Francisco that he was grateful to the senate and the governor for "confidence in my integrity" when he heard his confirmation had been approved.

At the last minute, the senate killed a resolution by Senator John F. Shelley, (D.), San Francisco, which would have called on the federal government to provide and distribute a uniform ballot to soldiers.

Senator George J. Hatfield, Merced, voiced republican objections to the resolution by saying he didn't want the "federal government further to encroach on state's rights by taking over election powers."

Both houses adopted resolutions asking congress to airmail ballots to and from servicemen.