The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-16
Spirited Debate as to
the Right of the
Auditor General to
Reduce the Amounts
MEASURE NOW
UP TO SENATE
Appropriation of $63, 800 Is Asked for
the Polytechnic Hospital of Harris
burg, of Which $26, 500 Is Sought
to Lift Mortgage

An appropriation bill carrying $685.
500 for the Polytechnic Hospital of Har-
risburg was introduced in the House
this morning by Representative Wild
man. The bill calls for S25,000 for
maintenance for two years and for
$4,000 for an additional hospital
building. To clear the mortage now
against the building at Front and Har-
ris streets S26,500 is asked while 81 :
600 is sought for the installation of an
elevator.
There was spirited contest over
the bill appropriating $46,0S0.S0 to
pay the bills of the newspapers carry
ing the constitutional amendment ad-
vertisements in 1912, 1913 and 1914,
which were cut down by Auditor Gen.
eral Powell. Representative Wilson, of
Philadelphia, in opposing the bill said
that it was unfair to ask the Auditor
General to pay bills rendered by some
newspapers of small circulation that
charged as much as papers of large cir
culation. He cited bills of many news
papers, showing disparity of bills ac-
cording to circulation. Mr.. Wilson said
the bill as amended to make the Audi
tor General pay the bills according TO
old established rates took away the
power vested by law in the Auditor
General.
Representative ipschutz, of Phila.
delphia, raised the question of the con.
stitutionality of the bill as it made
specific things mandatory on the Audi.
tor General. The point was over.
whelming voted down.
Representative Baldwin, of Della.
ware, said the House had the right 10
direct any public officials as to what
they are to do.
Representative Habgood, of Mexican,
explained the bills of small papers say.
ing that these newspapers use larger
type and the space required is much
larger, Representative Dell, of Hunt.
ingdon, a Democrat. caused a laugh
when he asked for a list of papers
whose bills had been cut and how they
stood politically.
Passes by Vote of 1913 to 90
The bill passed the House finally by
a vote of 123 to 60. The Auditor Gen.
eral is required 10 certify the back
bills and the State Treasurer must pay
within twenty days of passage of act.
The bill now goes to the Senate.
The resolution passed in the Senate
last night requesting Congress of the
United States to repeal the present tar
iff law was called up for concurrence
by Representative Wilson, of Philadel-
phia, and the House voted 154 to 81
| for concurrence.
The bill designating the mountain
laurel as the floral emblem of the Com
monwealth passed finally and goes to
the Senate. The vote was 166 to IL.
Bars Drunkards From Marriage
Representative Lighner, of Butler,
county, introduced a marriage license
code which repeals fifteen existing laws
and makes the new, code effective the
first of next year. The bill requires
that license which must set forth that
neither party is drunkard, in sane, ha-
bitual criminal, epileptic or of msound
mind; that neither of. the parents of
either party is any of the above; that
neither party has tuberculosis in an
advanced stage or any transmissible dis
ease; that the male is physically
able' to support family; the parties
being required to produce certificates
of freedom from disease.
The State Department of Health is
to name for each county an examiner
to conduct examinations on appliea-
tions, the fee to be $3.50. The depart
ment is to provide each examiner with
a laboratory and the examiner is to re-
ceive yearly salary of $1,000. Lii
eenses are to cost 81 each and mar
riages must be solemnized under them
within sixty days. The bill provides
penalties for any violations
Other Bills introduced
Other bills introduced were:
Swan, MISUNDERSTANDING all ve-
hicles to carry lights at night or during
heavy fog and persons in charge of
herds of animals in highways must car
ry lights. No vehicle can pass an
overtaken street car on the side on
which passengers are ahghting or
boarding unless 15 feet away from car
Hibshman Lancaster-Appropriat
$4,000 to State College for expert
mental sub-stations maintenance.
Wobensmith, Philadelphia-Re
ing public printing county, mu-
nicipal and sehool,-to be done within
the State.
Wobensmith Philadelphia-Appro-
priating s334,S00 to State Game Com
mission for two years.
Adams. Luzerne = Appropriating
sS35,000 for support of National
Guard and State Naval Militia for
maintenance and deficiencies.
Habgood, MeKean-Providng for
taxation of dogs and establishing of
fee of Dog Tax Commissioner in cities,
boroughs and townships and providing
dog tax of one dollar for males and
two dollars for females.
Maurer, Berks-Providing penalties
for trespass upon posted land as pri,
vate property.
Oaks. Cambria-Requiring County
Commissioners and grand juries to vis-
it, to inspect school houses of deten-
tion, homes, converts and asylums and
authorizing courts to appoint commits
sions of three to make special investi-
cations and make public reports.
Oaks, Cambria-Requiring light,
heat and power companies to furnish
service upon petition of five property
owners over whose property the com
pany has right of way.
Stein, Allegheny-Regulating ap-
pointment of deputy sheriffs in Alle-
gheny county. Requiring approval, of
courts to appointments by sheriff and
fixing salary of chief deputy $3.50 per
month and all other deputies $115 per
month.
Stein, llegheny-Providing that
County Commissioners shall provide