Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-05-19

Members of the House when they
gathered to-day for the commence
ment OF, the sessions of the final work
ing day of the legislature of 1915
complimented Speaker Charles A.
Amber for the n in which the
House had cleared its decks. 1t is no
e~Xaggeration to say that the lower
branch of the legislature, which gen.
orally has a jam OF bills awaiting ac-
ton on the last working day. Is in
better shape han known in years.
Practically all of the measures are
within sight OF action before midnight
and the length OF the all-night ses-
sion will depend upon what the Senate
does.
Speaker Amber has not only devel-
oped into one of the most capable
speakers in years, but he has held the
good will OF all of the members while
exercising firm control. Men who
marked upon the manner in which he
has steered the House through some
difficult situations inc on the way he
secured action on the important bills
much earlier than usual in the legis-
~lature. He has made the House work
almost as hard as in the last session,
but the results have attracted atten-
ton.
Lieutenant Governor McClain and
President pro TEN. Kline. who are old
hands in running a legislative body
and who have added to their reputA-
lions this year. have complimented the
speaker upon the way the House was
handled.
Representative Henry Gransback. OF
Philadelphia, the veteran of the House
was given a tribute TO his years and
completion of his tenth
session last night dur
Gransback ing the session Of the
Presented lower branch. Mr..
With Cane Baldwin presented him
with an ivory-headed
ms and large basket
OF roses in a speech in which he re-
viewed Mr.. G~ransback's service as a
legislator and soldier and voiced the
high esteem in which the member
from Northern Liberties was held by
the legislators. Mr.. Baldwin said he
was IN only member who had Served
with Mr.. Gransback in his first session
in 1895. The Philadelphia member
made a brief reply of thanks.
The police pension fund bill for
second class cities which is now be-
fore the Governor for his signature
was introduced in the
Senate by Charles ].
Magee, of Pittsburgh, MackrelI
and was drawn par Wins Out
t~icularly in the inter On the Bill.
est of the pension
fund for the bluecoats
in hat city. The bill provides that
one-half OF one per cent. of the taxes
lice pension fund That will net the
Pittsburgh police about $4,000 a
year. The police committee composed
of Special Officers Thomas D.. Malone
and James Rea and Lieutenant James
]. Rogan have been here for weeks in
the interest of this legislation. The
Governor vetoed a former bill but all
of his objections were eliminated from
this bill. Joseph y. Mackrell, politi-
cal reporter for the Pittsburgh Chron-
icle-Telegraph, has had charge of the
bill. He has been assisted by the
committee, Senator Magee and Repre-
sentative John w. Vickerman. Mr..
Mackrell also had charge of the Pitts
burgh city iremen's successful fight
for a two-platoon system. The gov
ernor signed the firemen measure.
The House got out of hand yes
terday afternoon for a little while and
members began throwing papers and
having the. usual
stunts reserved for the
House Has closing night. Finally,
Afternoon Speaker Amber called
Joyfest. to the attention of the
members that some of
their own bills were
likely to suffer and asked that the fun
be withheld until tonight. This had
the effect of quieting the racket some
what. Then a squad of the Philadel-
phia members went to the gallery
where they held forth with great
amusement to themselves and to the
vast entertainment of the audience.
Representative Richard J.Baldwin,
OF Delaware, was rewarded for his
frequent use of the phrase Lamp Of
experience yesterday
afternoon during the ses-
sion of the House. A let Baldwin
ter purporting to be Wins Big
signed by the trustees Bequest.
OF the estate of Patrick
Henry was sent to Read
ing Clerk Hewitt, who read with much
JUNCTION the bequest of the aforesaid
lamp to the gladiator from Chadd's
Ford. The reading was followed with
much interest M pu~nctuated with
applause and then an old carriage
lantern with n red pane was pre-
scented. Mr.. Baldwin acknowledged
the gift and said that IL members had
possessed such lamps at the start of
the session some bills now in the
graveyard would be alive and kick
ing.
1t is not often that there is seen
on the floor of the Senate such n pas
sage at arms as that which preceded
the passage OF the bill on Monday
night. having for its object the con-
solidation of the eastern and western
= nnNHanffnwf a.. $500 c.