Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-03-03
BOSSES TRYING To
HALT |NSURRECT|ON
State Democratic Committees
Legislative Program Idea Is
Explained
CAMPAIGN DEBTS UNPAID
State Chairman Morris Trying to
Raise Money to Pay 1914
Obligations
CAMPAIGN DEBTS UNPAII

OOHSAtAOAAo
One of the reasons for the sudden
activity of the Democratic bosses in
endeavoring to stir up interest in the
Democratic State machine and to get
legislative program under way is
said to be to head off an insurrection
after the General Assembly adjourns.
There are mutterings of dissatisfaction
against the present leadership. much
like those which were adroitly used
by the present bosses to ride into
power in 1911. and, with the knowl-
edge of how that revolution in the
party was brought about. the chiefs of
the gang are trying to fix their lines.
A couple OF public statements
have been made by Democrats about
the supineness of the present Demo-
cratic bosses on legislation, attention
being called to the contrast between
the present neglect and the activity
displayed last session. This year the
Democrats have not amounted 20 any
thing worth while as a force in the
Legislature. although last Fall they
were admitted to have one of the best
machines in twenty years.
State Chairman Morris is trying
to arouse some interest in the party
and to get the debts paid, but he is
not succeeding very we'll, and it is
bluntly stated that he will be lucky
| if he is not asked to get out before
the year ends. Morris contends that
he is State chairman until 1916, but
some Democrats are inclined to dis
pute this. Others lose no chance to
say that he ought to get out any way.
Dissatisfaction and resentment over
the courts of National Committeeman
A. Mitchell Palmer is rife in the State
and he is likely to be brought sharply
to book If the sentiment against Nor
ris crystalliZes. AS for Mccormick, not
much attention is being paid to him,
even to getting his favor for appoint
ments.
The Old Guard is carefully
building up its lines in Philadelphia
and in Allegheny has the support of
the influential party workers. The
county chairman is a reorganizer, but
since he got turned down for a post
mastership he is a general with an
army that does not follow him. In
Pittsburgh the city organization is
dominated by William j. Brennan,
whom the Gangsters turned down at a
State committee meeting n few years
ago and who is now supreme in the
city.
-Representative Fred Geiser, of
Northampton, was visited yesterday
by his father George w. Geiser, eX-
district attorney of Northampton
county. He met a number of the
members of the House and called on
State officials.
An exhibition of moving pictures
was given in the House last night by
Chief Censor Breitinger. who gave an
idea of how the censors eliminate
films which are suggestive. Some fine
scenes were shown, and then there
was a display of the kind that are
barred, not as a whole, but just parts.
A big crowd was present.
The House members plan TO have
numerous hearings next week and
committees will clear out. legislation
so as to be in shape when the big
bills come in.
-Representative Cramer says the
House has about all the legislation
in sight it can handle and get away
by the middle of May.
-Representative James Bergy, of
Juniata, fell on the marble steps in
the rotunda and severely injured a
leg yesterday. He was taken home.
Representative of the State
School Directors Association legisla
ton committee and of the Allegheny
County School Directors Progress and
Defense Association conferred with
DIR. ]. George Becht, secretary of the
State Board of Education regarding
LEGISLATION. The State association
committee is composed of Thomas G..
Magee. Altoona; NJ. II. Hennings, Will
kinsburg; James NJ. Wuchter Allen
town; A. L. Burnaford, Wilkes-Barre,
and J. d. Orr, Leechburg, and meet
ing with them were l.. +. Wentz, Graf
ton; Robert Malone and Andrew c.
Smith, Pittsburgh. Mr.. Magee stated
that the State board had been asked
to insert definitions in the school code
and that his committee planned leg1s-
,ation along lines advocated by the
State Educational Association here
last December.
j. Lee Plummer. former legislator
and now Blair county Republican
chairman. was on the Hill to-day.
He is prominently mentioned as
candidate for State Treasurer next
year.
his boom for Auditor General is grow
ing every day.
-Ex-Senator James L. Adams, of
Allegheny. was at the Capitol.
Members OF the State Board of
Public Charities are here drafting
legislation to be presented next week.
According TO reports at the Capt.
,ol. Senator Penrose may visit the city
later in the Spring. He addressed the
lawmakers in the last session.
A subcommittee of the House ap-
preparations committee will visit insti-
tutions in York. Lancaster, Chambers
burg. Carlisle and Scotland this week.
A subcommittee will also visit Mercer
and washington counties,
Mr.. Hess. Lancaster, introduced
1ilI to appropriate 100000 to the Lam
caster General Hospital.