Anti-Smut Law Passed
By Jim Belcher
of the World Staff
Oklahoma City, June 26 [1961] –
An amended, anti-smut bill was passed by the House of Representatives Monday.
The action came on a routine legislative day as the House considered measures that already have been approved in the Senate.
Another measure passed by the House was one permitting heirs of welfare reciepients to cash welfare checks when they are recieved after the payee’s death.
At the present time, checks recieved after the welfare client’s death must be returned to the state Welfare Department. The bill, which now goes to the governor, allows the court to direct the chashing of the checks after the recipient’s death.
The anti-smut bill was passed by the House without debate. It was handled on the House floor by Rep. John McCune, Tulsa. The bill will be returned to the Senate for concurrence or rejection in House amendments.
The House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee amended the definition of obscenity to leave the interpretation to a jury. The committee also struck a provision which mde it a crime to possess obscene literature.
The measure defines obscene literature as “any literature which, considered as a while in the light of contemporary community standards, has as its predominat theme, an appeal to prurient interests.”
The measure would make it a misdemeanor to knowingly publish, distriute or participate in the preperation of any obscene literature.
A misdemeanor is punishable by imprisonment in county jail, up….
…Oklahoma City, and was considered in the upper chamber amidst a storm of controversy.
Re. Sam Sullivan, Durant, in explaining the welfare payment measure, said it “was being demanded by the federal government.” He sid Lloyd Rader, director of the state Welfare Department was for it.
Rep. Tom McChristian, McAlester, said it was the “best” legislation this session, and Rep. Ed Cole, Okmulgee, asked House members to be statesmen and good legislators and help teh distressed people.
Reps. Bill Burkett, Woodward, and Maurice Willis, Altus, opposed the measure. Burkett said there has to be a cutoff date on welfare payments some time.
“As much as we love these people,” said Burkett, “we shouldn’t pay state money to a person for a month after he is dead.”
Willis said the measure extended welfare payments to the grave. He said the additional payments would cost $10,000 to $12,000 a month.
Also passed by the House were two bills limiting stock ownership by an employe of the central purchasing division of the state Board of Affairs in firms selling to the state. The other measure prohibits the superintendent, business manager or purchasing agent of a state institution from owning any stock in such a firm.
Both bills were recommended by teh House General Investigating Committee, which has probed both teh Enid State School and Eastern State Hospital at Vinita.
Another measure providing for the appointment of a defender in Canadian and Garfield Counties was passed.