South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-01-13
New Measure is Being Prepared
to Recover for County AbSo-
lutte Title to PottaWatOmie
Park and Enabling Its Sale.
I MDIANA'@ SO TA
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
FROM THE NEWS-TIMES
j INDIANAPOLIS BUREAU

-
INDIANAPOLIS. Jan. 13.-That the
idea of a tWO-year term for mayor in
south Bend, originated in the brain of
John W. Talbot, fertilized by the new
republican club of that city, apparent
ly willing TO encourage him for the
effect il would have in discrediting
democracy, became known here by
means of letter received by Rep.
George Y. Hepler, and other members
of the legislature. The letter appears
under a head of the Home Nest, Or
der of Owls" with the signature of
John W. Talbot" typewriter.
Enclosed find copy of a bill that
our public is demanding" the letter
states. They demand the removal
of Keller and Warner. Even the re-
publicans who originated the new re-
publican club the other night express
ed themselves unanimously in favor
of Ousting Keller. He is not even
considered a good republican. Every
business interest in this locality is
crying that he be put out as soon as
possible and unless we keep our prom
iSeS and put him out we Will have
pretty hard Shedding to elect anybody
in the future
'It is just as WELL" said Rep. Hep
Ter, that the people of South Bend
and ST. Joseph county be given 10
understand where this agitation is
coming from. The democratic party
and democratic leaders should be re-
lieVed of the responsibility" When
asked if he would introduce the bill
submitted. or vote for it. Rep. Hepler
answered an emphatic no" and as
serted an understanding that the re-
maindeT Of the st. Joseph county del
egation would do the same. Rep.
Charles A. Hagerty. when asked if he
had, received a like communication
from Talbot, admitted that he had,
and asserted that he was not interest
ed
Also Hits Clerk ROstiser.
The bill. although presuming to ap-
ply TO a class of cities, is so framed as
to apply to South Bend and South
Bend alone Not only the mayor, but
city Judges and city clerks are hit.
The title tells the story. 1t is "a bill
for an act relating TO the election and
tenure of Office for mayors. city clerks
and city judges. in cities Of not less
| than 900 and not more than a.
600. according TO the last preceding
United States census" the term in the
bill being fixed at two years, the first
election to be held ION the second
Tuesday after the first Monday in No
vember, \. D.. 1915, and biennially
thereafter Office 10 be assumed
Jan. ]. 1916"
A previous letter received by Rep.
Hepler from Talbot under date Dec.
II, and signed by hand, goes into the
ConStitutiOnalitv of q proposed bill to
/ put Mayor Keller out of office before
the expiration of the four-year term
for which he was elected" and takes
up the question of the annexation of
Mishawaka by South Bend. as a means
TO that end. The annexation of AliSh-
awaka is frOwned upon in the letter,
because separately it means two sets
of city offices. "and a party is stronger
in proportion as IL has positions 10
give. etc" The constitutionality OF
the bill submitted TO legislate Keller
ont of office. unless he can be reflect
ed is definitely settled-in the letter.
Il shall take TalbOt's advice in the
matter of forgetting the annexation OF
! Mishawalla proposition says Hepler.
land while I'm at il / guess I'll for
get the two-year term proposition too.
/ haven't talked with a democrat since
that agitation started that hasn't
frOwned upon the idea as utterly alb
surd."
New Pottawatomie Bill.
a new bill is being prepared in the
matter OF recovering for the courty,
absolute title 10 what is known as
POttaWatomie park. in south Bend,
I erS TO sell it and invest the money in
fair grounds in some other location.
4 storm Of letters is being received
I from the South Bend park board. op-
posing any measure that would de-
/ prive the city OF those grounds. Sen.
/ Summers statement in The News
/ Times Sunday. is being used in answer
/ 10 the park board letters, and the bill
I is being framed to comply with that
statement Rep. Hepler. who will in
! troduce the bill in the house. asserts
+, that he is in perfect accord with the
] idea. which will require South Bend TO
pay a reasonable price for the old fair
= grounds If il keeps them for a park.
or that otherwise the county may sell
the property elsewhere. and invest the
proceeds i'm "A fair grounds in another
! location.
Sen Summers is chairman Of the
senate agricultural and cities and
| towns committees. and member Of the
| counties and township committee in
the senate. and Rep. Hepler is on
those committees in the house. and
! chairman OF the committee on nat
ural resources
Sen. Chester \. Mccormick OF North
Judson yesterday opened the way for
CONTINUED on PAGE TEN)