The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1913-02-21
UTILITIES BILL A
PROBLEM TO SOLVE
Democrats in Senate Have
Postponed Action on Bill
Until Next Monday.
HIT A LARGE S N AG
Sunday Amusement Measure
Up For Third Reading
in the House Today.
National News Association

fNational News ASSOciat1on)
INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 21-A prob
lem with twenty-four knots, big and
little, confronted the senate demo-
cratic caucus Thursday afternoon,
when the Spencer-shively public
utilities bill was taken up for consid-
Grafton, and for unknown reasons it
was decided to postpone the entire
matter until next Monday evening.
The reason given out was that
further time should be given to con-
slider the proposed amendments, in
order that the bill, when passed, shall
be absolutely satisfactory to the
people" of Indiana. There was moth
ing behind the delay except the desire
to give the matter the proper attention
that it's vast importance demands, &C
George w. Curtis, president pro tenn
pore of the upper chamber.
The bill was taken up by sections,
the confidence was expressed that
perfect measure finally would be pass
ed.
Nevertheless, it is known that rail-
road legislative agents, attorneys and
others were buzzing around the state
house all day.
While in caucus the democratic SEN
ators struck big snag in the proposed
amendment providing for complete
control of railroads by the utilities
commission, which would mean the
practical abolition of the present laws
under which the State railroad COM
mission operates. There were other
snags, but this was whopper 1t is
known that Senators kistler and
Fleming are opposed to utilities legis-
lation of any kind. but 1T is understood
that Kistler has become considerably
reconciled Senator Fleming and
Curtis held lengthy conference with
the governor, but no statement could
be obtained.
The caucus after deciding on a post
ponement, of the utilities measure
took up the proposed registration bill,
but that too, was laid over until Mon
day.
On the matter of a constitutional
convention the caucus got down to
real business. The Stotsenburg bill
providing that the people determine
whether such convention shall be held
by a vote in the general election in
1914, and if they favor it, the constitu-
tional convention shall be held in
December, January and February i'm
mediately following was made the
caucus program and set for special
order Friday
Another thing decided upon was
that Senate joint resolution withdraw
ing from consideration the lawyers
qualification amendment and joint
resolution providing various amend
ments to the constitution should come
up on the same day
The Gearing Sunday amusement
(theaters) bill was called up for third
reading Thursday, but on motion of
its author, it went over until Friday.
Stotsenburg's bill prohibiting trac-
tion companies from carrying baggage
in the same compartment with the
motormen, passed, So to 0.
Senator Will r. Woods measure
STIMULATING that bonds of treasurers of
state institutions be paid out of the
general fund, passed, Sc to 0.
New bills introduced were: BY
Greenwell, increasing salaries of town
ship assessors and other county ofic-
ers; by VanNuys, requiring advertis-