South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-03-09
Passage of ate-Wide Pri-
mary, WOrkmen'S COmpen-
Sation and Flood Prevention
Laws Mark Session.
ECONOMY PLATFORM
PROMISES FULFILLED
Fewer Acts Have Become Law
Than in Previous Session
and the Necessary Expenses
Were Considerably Cut.


Achievements Of the 69th Indiana
assembly which adjourned early to-
day include the passage of a state
wide primary law. wOTkmen's COM
pensation, mediation and arbitration,
and "a food prevention law. All these
were democratic party platform
measures.
While the primary law is not what
was aimed at by its original trainers.
general contentment was felt by the
progressive wing OF the Indiana dem
Ocrats who expect the modified pri-
mary law to work out its own saliva
tion. The compensation law is gen.
orally admitted to be the nearest ap-
prOach TO what both capital and
labor desired that could have been
adopted by this legislature. The
mediation law is expected by its
friends to work beneficial results in
labor disputes. The majority leaders
look on the flood prevention law as
a decidedly important advancement
ialOng this line.
Another administration measure
which was not, however. in the party
platform, was the tax commission
law which was passed the last day
OF the session providing for a COM
mission 10 investigate the tax ques-
ition in Indiana and recommend legis-
natiOn Two years hence.
Working Hour Bill Fails.
one law that failed was the one
aimed at the limitation of hours of
labor for women. a commission ap-
poSnte0 10 look into this matter spent
$4,000 in investigating. but the legis-
1ature failed TO get together on the
proposition and the bills on the sub
ject died.
The Rule biiI. enabling COM
munity 10 abate illegal resort as COM
mon uuisances is considered a long
step in the advancement of the states
morals. Labor union men were dis
satisfied at the biennial failure or q
shot firers law, bat they were pleased
at the failure of the garnishee bin.
A health measure considered i'm
portant was the law compelling the
disinfectiOn of premises wherein tu-
bercular persons lived and died.
a bill 10 enable health authorities
10 condemn disease and death traps
designated as single tenements was
passed 10y the senate, but failed in the
house. The common drinking cup
bill another measure. died in the
house. An attempt 10 Gust Dr. Hurry
as secretary OF the state board OF
health was dipped in the bud.
The bill to abolish the Office of stare
statistician failed TO get through. The
hill 10 move indiana university from
Bloomington likewise died. State
seriously i'm the face of overwhelming
sentiment I'M the legislature against it.
Suffrage Measure Fails.
4 bill Tor limited suffrage for
women was strongly urged. but il
failed along with the attempt TO have
the people vote on the question of
holding a constitutional convention.
holding a constitutional convention.
The house ~ hlmaed for the fall
ure OF the suffrage and both houses
divided the responsibility for the fail
ure OF the constitutional convention
idea.
Much friendly support was obtained
for a bil To give the people chance
To- vote on proposed laws The meas
urC passed the senate and failed on
the last day I'M the house. The bill for
the direct election of county super
iutendents failed. School teachers
were favored but legislature in the
Indianapolis special pension law and
the teacher retirement act. The at
tempt 10 buy the old state capital
building at Corydon. Ind. failed The
state approved the expenditure of an
additional 100000 bv the Indiana
commission 90 the Panama Pacific
exposition. Regular appropriations
were passed without much discussion.
Economy il Observed.
TConOmy which was urged by Gov.
kalsCOn IN ms message at the begin
ming OF the session was adhered 10 in
the matter of legislative expense, and
statements but presiding officers of
both houses showed a decided saving
IN the matter of printing. supplies
and employees. as compared with the
session of 1918.
And at least SO far. there has been
no hint of the ''crOOkedness" that
undoubtedly has marked many legis-
laturcs-
The leadership IN cacn house was
different and set the same. And the
presiding officers OF each house re-
ceNed the ccOmiums OF their aSsoci-
ates for the fair way in which they
conducted the proceedings through
out The two months that have passed.
Speaker BedweiI. heralded as a fair
and clean young man, when he enter
ed the race Tor speaker. lived up 10
expectations 20 such an extent that
the slnEie rull moose member OF the
house. during one OF the last OF the
sessions shouted on the floor OF the
house that Bedwell would be the can
didate OF the democratic party for
governor next time" That Is doubt
fui, because OF BedwelIs youth. yet
stranger things hav~ happened.
Ralstou's Iafiucnce Felt.
Gov Ralstons influence was felt
heavily at times by the Legislature
and it was successful i'm pushing
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