South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-01-06
Withdrawal of William Haber-
mel OF COrydOn Leaves Three
Candidates in Race With
BedWeII Apparent FaVOrite.
NAME FREE SECRETARY
IN SENATE CONTEST
Anderson Man Lands Job as
Clerk of Upper Chamber
With Indianapolis Man AS
SiStant-SeSSiOn Thursday.

INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 6.-With the
caucus OF the democratic members
Of tie senate in which the officers for
that BODY were chosen, out Of the way,
interest today centered on the meet
ing Of the democratic Representatives
TO be held this evening when the race
for the speakership will be decided
and the other house positions dealt
out.
Three candidates are in the race for
the speakership, with Charles Bedwel
Of Sullivan as the apparent favorite.
The meeting will be held in the house
chamber of the legislature.
At the senate caucus last night the
principle struggle was over the Office
Of secretary, which finally fell 10
Wade Free Of Anderson. Harry Il.
Skillman OF Indianapolis was named
assistant secretary; Sen. Will Yarling
of Shelbyvtlle, caucus chairman; r.
l.. Thomas of Auburn, principal door
keeper, and Sen. Fred Van Nuys of
Anderson, president pro tenn.
Senators and representatives arriv-
ed in large numbers yesterday to get
settled before the opening OF the
session tomorrow. The struggle for
places in the senate and house official
roster was vigorous and was almost
the sole topic OF discussion at tho
hotels where the solons gathered.
Habermel Is Out.
The withdrawal yesterday of Rep.
William Habermel of Corydon from
the race for speaker OF the house. left
the field TO three candidates, Mason
J. Niblack OF Vincennes, Fred l..
F'eick OF Garrett and Charles II. Bed
well OF Sullivan. Bedwell maintained
his lead over the others throughout
the day and the withdrawal of Hab-
II m rod 70, Fe in hi
Habermel declared he was with
drawing in favor of no one, but indi-
Gated ne would be favorable to the
election OF Bedwel. The Sullivan rep
resentative has the support of Gov.
RalstOn and practically the entire ad-
ministration and the democratic or
ganization also has lined up for him.
The report that Rep. Feick had
withdrawn from the race was cur
rent about the Denison hotel lobby in
the afternoon, but Feick denied the
report.
That report was started by those
who are opposed to me in this race" !"
said Feick. "An of the candidates
who are running against Mr. Bed
we'll resent the attitude the state ad-
ministratiOn has taken in the speak
ership fight although we have nothing
personal against any Of the candi-
dates. The withdrawal of Mr.. Hab-
ermel from the race does not indi-
cate any of the others will withdraw
We are in the fight to stay TO the
finish"
Speaker Slated Tonight.
The following statement was made
by Mr. HabermeI after he announced
he would withdraw.
"TO the end that there may be
no occasion for any delay in the
work of the lower house and that
H.ear
L have decided TO withdraw from
the race for the speakership.
This session Of the house must
get down 20 business. / am not
an icOnoclast. / pledge my best
efforts toward enacting such laws
as may represent q progressive
and active democratic majority,
and IN doing so 1 shall favor any
good laws no matter by whom
introduced. j appreciate the eff
forts my friends have made for
me and thank them for their
support"
The employment committee, made
up of half a dozen representatives,
which was appointed at "a conference
of house members about a month ago,
held a meeting at the state house
yesterday. Another meeting likely
viii be held before the caucus to-
night IL is understood the members
of the employment committee have
decided that the business of the
house can be conducted by about 10
employees. The idea is TO keep the
number of employees down 10 the low
est possible minimum.
PiCkenS Has Bills.
The idea OF 40 employees was Sug-
gested 10y members OF the employ
ment committee, after the members
have Investigated the probable num-
Der OF persons necessary 10 conduct
the affairs OF the house adequately.
The last house mad about $50 en-
ployes. The 20. it was said. Will in
clude clerks, stenOgraphers, pages.
doorkeepers and all manner OF en-
ployes.
Corporation Counsel Pickens OF In
dianapolis said yesterday that he is
preparing two bills for introduction
in the assembly, dealing with city
finances AS was announced by city
officials several weeks ago. IL viii be
necessary for the city TO receive addi-
tiOnal revenue from some source 10
place in effect plans for flood preven-
ton along the White river. Mr..
Pickens said that the bills 10 be intro
duced relating 10 this problem viii
provide for a special tax levy and
furthermore il viii provide for the
sale OF bonds 20 raise funds needed
immediately - carry on the work.
Another bin relating TO city finances
being prepared by the corporation
counsel Will pertain 20 plans for rails
ing FUNDS for the construction Of a
sewage disposal plant Mr.. Pickens
said that the important provisions OF
these measures as yet have not been
decided upon definitely.