The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1903-02-26
DOWN TO REAL WORK
Both Branches of Legislature Has
Smooth Sailing Ahead.
SOME BILLS LIKELY TO PASS
Much Speculation AS to Outcome Of
Contests In the Houee-Hazleton
Business Men to Help Push Along
New County Bill.
Especial Correspondence.l

legislature will buckle down to the
real work of the session. Heretofore
only perfunctory work was per-
formed and much delay was expert
enced by the failure of the various
committees to get down to business,
but this has now been overcome and
nearly all the legislation in the
hands of these bodies is ready to be
reported out or else has been and Is
now on the calendars of the two
houses. The last holiday of the sos
sion before final adjournment was
election day, and since the visit of
Insurance Commissioner Durham last
week smooth sailing is ahead and we
may now look for the real work of the
session.
While only very short time was
devoted to legislative business last
week, yet considerable progress was
made. particularly in the house, with
the bills on second reading. One of
those which successfully run the
gauntlet after somewhat lively skir-
mish was the measure having for its
object the prevention of the use of
trading stamps by storekeepers. Sew
eral propositions were made to amend
the bill and have it sent back to the
committee, but all these were in vain,
and the bill passed second reading;
and If all signs are not misinterpreted
the measure is scheduled to pass final
ly. One of the strong arguments made
in favor of the bill was that by Mr..
Yellig, of Allegheny, who in vigorous
language declared the trading stamp
to be a curse, and pointed out that
while the consumer was led to believe
that he was getting something for
nothing, the merchant in reality added
enough to the price of the different
articles to enable him to give away
the stamps without any actual loss to
himself, thus doing business under
false pretenses.
The bill was fought by Representa-
tive Mayne, of Lehigh, who declared
it to be a measure in the interest of
the big department stores, but this ar
gument was offset by several speakers
who presented forcible facts showing
how tradesmen and the public gener-
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of the bill.
Another bill which created quite
little stir was that presented by Rep
resentative Call, of Philadelphia, and
which makes it a criminal offense for
any minor to misrepresent his age for
purpose of being supplied with liquor.
| The argument in favor of the enact
ment of this measure was that as mat
ters now stand minors misrepresent
their age when questioned by saloon
keepers, and in many instances the
latter class of tradesmen have been
subjected to blackmailing methods
without having any redress or protec-
ton. After a lively fight the bill
| passed second reading and it is said
on good authority that it will pass
finally when 1t comes up for third
reading.
measure which also stirred the
friends and enemies of the liquor deal
ers was that presented by Representa-
! tive Shern, Of Philadelphia, which If
! passed will prevent licensed saloon
keepers from serving what is gener-
ally known as free lunch. 1t is said
| that the saloon-keepers are pretty
| evenly divided on the merits of this
bill, and it seems to be the concensus
of opinion that considerable sparring
will be INDUCED in both in committee
and on the floor of the house before it
is finally passed
Considerable lobbying has been done
by the clergymen and others opposed
to the passage of the bill presented by
Senator Berkelbach which would re-
peal the act of 1884 commonly known
as the blue laws, and the friends of the
bill now admit that it looks doubtful
| if they can pass it at this session. One
of the arguments used by the oppo-
nents of the bill is that it really aims
to allow the saloons to open on Sun
day and sell soft drinks and quietly
supply their patrons with more sub
stantial refreshments. OF course the
father of the bill denies emphatically
this statement but it is a fact, never
theless, that much has been done to-
wards killing the bill. and it is ex-
tremely doubtful if enough votes can
be mustered to even bring it out OF
the senate committee on law and or
der, where it is now slumbering.
| Representative Garner, of Schuyl-
kill, has arranged for a conference dur
ing the week between representatives
of the hard coal interests, which in
cludes committees of the United Mine
Workers and the American Federation
of Labor. These conferences will map
out course to be followed regarding
the passage of the bills known as the
liability bill, the check-welght bill, and
the eight-hour miners bill An effort
will be made to have John Mitchell
president of the United Mine Workers
come here and aid the conferees by
his advice on the subject.
The determined manner in which
the friends of the miner are now
working would seem to indicate that
they mean business. and every effort
will be made to have some sort of min