Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-03-16
PALMER MAY QUIT
As COMMITTEEMAN
Democrats Think He Should Get
Out of Political Place When
He Becomes a Justice
MAY FORCE STATE MEETING
Interesting Situation Likely to De-
velop Among the Democrats
in Pennsylvania

EX-Congressman A. Mitchell Pal-
mer's appointment as chief justice of
the United States Court of Claims yes
terday has brought up the question
among the Democrats in the Legis-
lature whether his new office is not OF
a character to cause him to resign as
national committeeman of the Demo-
cratic party in Pennsylvania. Palmer
is at Newport News as the guest of
Secretary Daniels to-day and nothing
has come from him about it and the
ring Democrats are silent.
1t is presumed that Palmer will hold
on as long as he can, as the only way
to fill vacancy would be by calling
the State committee, which State
Chairman Roland S. Morris will never
do in the present state of mind of the
Democrats. Some Democrats said
openly last night that Morris could not
escape a call when Palmer resigned
and that the national administration
could not expect Palmer to hold the
two places, as the committeemanship
is distinctly political. The judicial
office pays $4,000 year and Palmer
would never give UP that chance.
If the State committee is called to
fill the vacancy caused by Palmer's re-
tirement some Democrats believe that
Morris would be called upon to resign.
If Morris could do so he would prob
ably act as national committeeman or
else name Vance c. Mccormick to the
place.
The Senate and House were Wis
tied last night by Justices Elkin and
Mestrezat and by a number of con-
gressmen and other prominent men on
their way to Newport News.
r. ]. Baldwin had fun last night.
When the Senate resolution to meet
Monday night at came along he
moved to amend to make it s. The
House took him seriously.
Attorney General Brown has about
completed his bill to make the anthra-
cite coal tax payable to a State per-
manent road improvement fund. 1t
would raise over $4,500,000 a year.
1t will go in on Wednesday. This bill
will do away with any returns of the
tax to counties and give the State an
assured road fund to draw upon.
Representative William Haggerty,
of Scranton, is sick and unable to at
tend the session.
Speaker Amber was indignant
| last night when he learned that the
| May 6 adjournment resolution had
| been sent to the Senate. 1t is the GUS
tom of the House to have such bust
ness messaged as soon as it adjourns
| This was done last Thursday and the
| Speaker did not become aware of II
until yesterday. This blocked any at
tempt to reconsider last night.
Mr.. Berntheizel introduced the
bill to appropriate $22, 200 to the Co.
lumbia Hospital last night.
Representative Goodwin made hi:
maiden speech in the House last nigh
and the members applauded the We
mango county man.
The women's clubs of Western
Pennsylvania last night sent t.
a1r1 A III AL
against the Philadelphia housing bills.
| Ex-Representatives Hobbs, Lack
awanna; O'Neill, Philadelphia; North
Jefferson; Shannon, Luzerne, and Ken
nedy, Pittsburgh, were House visitors.
DIR. j. T. Rothrock, former Stat
Forestry Commissioner, is to delive
an address on forestry in the hall O
the House on March %.
The new military code was favor
ably reported to the House last nigh
by Chairman Adams.
Representative Scott of Centre
thinks the people of the State ough
to know more about the flag desc
Grafton act and has presented a reso
luton to print $4,000 copies.
Copies of the addresses on tn,
death of the late w. Z. Hensel will b,
printed for the House.
| Democratic members of the Hous,
are commencing to resent the inter
ference of State committee officers
They say that they have their minds
made up on various measures and will
not listen to any orders.
-Ex-Speaker George e. Alter was
visitor to the Capitol last night. Fl,
came here on his way to Newpor
News.
Attorney General Brown said las
night that there had been few change
In the workmens compensation act al
presented last night and compared
with the original draft
The child labor hearing will b,
held tomorrow afternoon in the hal
of the House. The Governor plans t,
attend the hearing and many promi
nent legislators will be present.
The third class city police anC
firemen civil service bill will b,
amended so that it shall not affec
volunteer fire departments This wa
effected last night after a conferenc,
between Chairman Walton. in charg,