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
F. terday has brought up the question
among the, Democrats in the Legls-
lature whether his new office is not or
n 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 il 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 Norris 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 Sc. 800 q 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 vis-
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. j. Baldwin had fun last night.
When the Senate resolution to meet
Monday night at 9 came along he
moved to amend to make it 8. The
House took him seriously.
Attorney General Brown has about
completed his bill to make the anthra-
cite coal tax payable to q State per-
manent road improvement fund. 1t
would raise over $4,500,00O q year.
1t will go in on Wednesday. This bill
VIII 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 adjournment resolution had
been sent to the Senate. 1t is the GUS
| tom of the House to have such busi-
ness messaged as soon as it adjourns.
| This was done last Thursday and the
Speaker did not become aware of it
| y
tempt to reconsider last night.
MIR. Berntheizel introduced the
| bill to appropriate S22, 1000 to the Co
lumbia Hospital last night.
Representative Goodwin made his
maiden speech in the House last night
and the members applauded the We
| mango county man.
The women's clubs of Western
Pennsylvania last night sent to
| Speaker Amber kilograms protesting
against the Philadelphia housing bills.
| Elk Representative Hobbs, Lack
awanna; O'Neill, Philadelphia; North
Jefferson; Shannon, Luzerne, and Ken
nedy, Pittsburgh, were House visitors.
DIR. ]. T. Rothrock, former State
Forestry Commissioner, is to deliver
an address on forestry in the hall OF
the House on March 23.
The new military code was favor
ably reported to the House last night
! by Chairman Adams.
| Representative Scott, of Centre.
thinks the people of the State ought
! 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 the
death of the late w. u. Hensel will be
printed for the House.
Democratic members of the House
| 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 Il. Alter was a
visitor to the Capitol last night. He
came here on his way to Newport
| News.
Attorney General Brown said last
night that there had been few changes
IN the workmen's compensation act as
presented last night and compared
with the original draft.
The child labor hearing will be
| held tomorrow afternoon in the hall
of the House. The Governor plans to
| attend the hearing and many promi-
! nent legislators will be present.
The third class city police and
firemen civil service bill will be
amended so that it shall not affect
volunteer fire departments. This was
effected last night after a conference
between Chairman Walton. in charge
OF the bill. and firemen from York,
Reading and Harrisburg.