The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1913-03-19
CONVENTION BILL
Gets BY HOUSE
Voters May Have Say About
Revision Of Constitution
SENATE REPORTED AS HOSTILE
Anti-Liquor Legislation Again Beaten
In House, the Steele Prohibition
Amendment Going Under, 90 to 1os

The Pennsylvania house of repre-
sentatives passed finally by vote OF
122 to II the Scott bill providing for
submission to the people of the ques-
tion of holding a constitutional conven-
ton.
The measure would have the ques-
tion voted at the general election next
November and at the same time have
delegates to such convention chosen.
This was followed by the passage
by vote of l44 to 80, without debate,
the Scott bill regulating the manner
of conducting the election. Both bills
go to the senate where their passage
is very doubtful.
Opponents of the first measure
based their objection principally upon
the "double-action" Of the bill. They
contended that 1t was unfair to have
delegates elected to a constitutional
convention at the same time that the
people passed on the question as to
whether there should be a convention
or not.
The Steele prohibitory amendment
was defeated in the Pennsylvania
house of representatives, it falling
thirteen votes short OF a constitutional
majority. The vote was ayes 80 and
nays 10S
The Beidleman bill indorsed by the
allied agricultural organizations, to
provide for state fair commission
and the holding of an annual state
fair, was passed finally in the senate.
1t would appropriate 100000 for the
purchase of a site and preparation of
the grounds.
An anti-liquor bill was presented in
the senate by Sensenich of Westmore-
land. 1t provides for local option in
an indirect, but no less effective way
than the measures presented in the
house. The bill provides that when
ever a number OF the qualified electors
OF any township, borough, city or coun.
ty of this commonwealth, equaling not
less than 81 per cent of the number
OF votes cast therein at the last pre-
cedng general election, shall present
a petition to the court of quarter ses-
sions praying that the court refuse to
grant licenses for the sale or furnish
ing liquor or an admixture thereof,
the said court shall refuse all applica-
tions for license in said township,
borough, city or county.
The bill was referred to the law and
order committee. a majority of the
members of which are against such
measures.
At the instance of Governor Tener
a bin providing for "blue sky law
for Pennsylvania to protect investors
from promoters of wild cat or heav-
lily watered securities or other forms
OF swindling financial schemes was
presented in the house.
!. Deputy Attorney General William N.
Trinkle iof Philadelphia, who drafted
the bill, said the proposed law will
reach outside concerns by subjecting
the Intermediary company, firm or the
individual doing the actual selling in
this state to regulation and examina-
tion.
Bills before the legislature provide
that company must first obtain con.
sent of the banking commissioner be-
fore il can issue securities. The ad-
ministration bill differs from these in
that it provides for licensing and regu-
lating stock brokers. They will be
under the supervision OF the banking
department and if their business is not
conducted according to law can be put
out of business quickly by revocation
of their licenses. Trinkle continued:
"The ADMINISTRATORS public utilities
bill will regulate the issue OF stocks,
bonds and securities by the public util-
tiles companies under a plan of pub
licity and investigating closely an
alogous to that recommended by the
railroad securities commission, of
which President Hadley of Yale uni
versity was chairman, appointed under
an act of congress-
The violet was substituted for the
daisy as the state flower of Pennsyl-
vana by the house educational com
mittee. The bill was reported as
amended The move for a state flower
has excited considerable interest and
the suggestion that the daisy be
chosen met with opposition in some
quarters. The violet was urged by
many in the interests Of peace and its
bponsors won out in committee.
Governor Tener submitted a mes
sage to the house explaining why he
advised the state employees to disre-
gard the summons of the investigating
committee which was appointed to in
vestigate the current report that there
are persons in the employ of the sew
eral departments Of the common.
wealth holding more than one posi-.
tion, the duties of which are nominal
and the combined salaries OF which
are greatly in excess Of the services
rendered
Briefly the governor politely but
firmly tells the committee that in his
judgment neither branch of the legis-
lature has a right to subpoena wit
nesses or compel their attendance or
the production Of books, papers. etc,
from the executive department of the
state government, and that it would
be incompatible with the public inter