The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1914-12-17
NEWS CULLED
IN THE CAPITAL
WHAT LEGISLATORS ARE DO
ING AND OTHER HAPPENINGS

Conditions in the eastern Ohio
coal mining district, where 49,
900 miners have been idle for
nine months represent in miniature the
suffering and privation of the people OF
Belgium, according to State Mining
Commissioner John NJ. Roam and
others who have visited the strike dis
trict and who now are trying to enlist
the aid of the people of Ohio in behalf
of the sufferers. There are whole fam
lilies subsisting on one meal q day and
there are some families where little
children go to bed every night hungry,
the mining attache declares. There
are families where father, mother and
children have been shoeless for
months and who have to stay indoors
to keep warm. 1t is estimated that in
the strike district 80 babies are born
every week and that in most instances
there is no clOthing for the little
strangers. The miners and their fam
lilies are facing Christmas in forlorn
desperation. Not even the smallest
children, it is reported, are asking for
toys, for they have gone past the Pc
riod of deprivation where toys could
appeal. Shoes, clothing and food are
needed, say lhose who have visited
the district, and if such supplies are
not forthcoming soon death from hum
ger and cold may soon stalk through
the mining colonies. There is a move
ment on foot here toward a union of
effort on the part of those who have
been thus far aiding the miners sepa-
rately.
Expect Court Decision Soon.
In legal circles it is expected that
the supreme court will announce it's
decision in the big flood conservancy
case in the near future. This is the
most important suit before the court.
Predictions are being made that the.
constitutionality of the act viii be
upheld. While the law was enacted
more especially for communities in
and near the Miami valley, it also af-
fects all communities elsewhere which
suffered from the big floods of the
early part of last year. 1t is thought
that the court is putting in most Of it's
time now considering the case. The
lower courts sustained the act. Under
the law conservancy districts may be
established for protection against
floods. The total number of attorneys
of both sides Of the suit exceed so.
Attorney General Affirms Opinion.
Affirming an opinion given some
time ago, the attorney generals de-
partment has ruled that the annual tax
of 213 per cent paid to the state by
fire insurance companies must be COM
puted from the gross premium receipts
without deductions for cancellation of
policies void at inception and
for premiums paid for reinsurance.
Some months ago the discovery was
made that because of an error in COM
putting this tax the state was losing
something like $25,OOO in its returns
from these companies. The tax was
being paid after deductions had been
made from the gross premiums. The
attorney general was asked to pass
upon the matter, and he held that the
law permitted no deductions. The in
surance companies asked for rehear-
ing, and one was allowed them. In
ruling against them, the attorney gem
eral says that if the statute which es-
tablishes the tax is unjust, it should be
changed
Republican Assembly Caucus Dec. %.
Dec. % has been fixed tentatively as
the date for call of the Republican
general assembly caucus, according
to Republican leaders. The senate
will be called together in
Columbus by Senator Jacob Wise of
Stark county, while in the house Van
s. Deaton of Miami county will issue
a similar summons. Long established
precedent gives the oldest member
in each body the honor of calling to-
gether his political confrerees. AS the
day for the organization of the new leg
islature approaches, which means the
day of the caucus, greater and greater
pressure is being brought to bear on
Gov. .-elect Willis to induce him to take
a hand in the situation and soothe
the rather serious factional differences
that have arisen.
crItIcIzes Expenditure.
State Auditor Donaney friday criti-
cized the coal screen commission
which made investigation preliminary
to drafting of the mine-run law, for
spending the $4,000 appropriation made
for it by the legislature. A balance of
S6 left after all expenses were paid
was given a clerk in the state mining
Office, according to a
report of an audit of their accounts
Just made public. John NJ. Roam re-
ceived $1,324, Morris Albaugh $1,277
md w. B. Bowman $1,266 as members
Of the commission. They accepted the
fee of $40 day for their services and
expenses. NJ. B. Hammond, Phil NJ.
Crow and j. c. Davies. other members,
to accept the fee. The COM
mission spent much time travelling
through other states Investigating min
ng conditions.
The largest single request for an ap-
ever made by any depart.
nent of state was transmitted Tuesday .
o State Budget Commissioner O., E.
ieffernan. The state board of admin
asked for S13. COW
ring two years. four and a half
months. The length of time covered
S due to fiscal year changes. More
han $2,250,O00O is asked for new
at state institutions, exclu-
i've of the new farm penitentiary. The
equest includes $S5,OOO for farm
buildings, Practically all increases
re for overcrowded state hospitals.
relief must be given, the board saws.