South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-02-22
STORM BREWING OVER
STATEWIDE PRIMARY

CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.)
ably final action in the house on the
Wright statewide prohibition bill
Two or three bushel baskets fun OF
petitions from dozen of counties in
she state have been received. asking
for favorable action on this bill.
showing conclusively that the hqlIor
question in Indiana is by no means
dead" one.
1t is not at all probable that this bill
will reach any fate but indefinite post
ponement, yet it may become an ex-
tremely embarrassing situation for all
parties in both houses before the
week is out for its advocates are
working night and day TO stir up
sentiment in its behalf
The struggle over the indianapolis
city administration bills also is COM
ing this week and that may involve
both houses. although the finance
board bill already is past the senate
and in the house for action. This
again shows the division between the
two houses. So far the finance bill
has had wonderfully easy sailing TO
passage in the senate and just hard
sailing in the house. The committee
on the affairs Of the city of Indianap-
oils there has reported decidedly
against the bill in the house. eight
members Gncluding four democrats
and four Marion county repubHcans)
voting against the measure and three
members voting in favor of the bill.
Death of Bill Presaged.
The sentiment in the house at this
time presages the early death oe the
bill, but here again are the forces
working with might and main to
make the house do the same thing
the senate did-pass the bill. The
farmer element in the house. which
is almost a controlling majority. seems
decidedly against the bill. Many con-
tend that Mayor Bell of Indianapolis
is compelling this legislature to give
up all its time to the city of Indianap-
oils and its political Vaccinations.
Democrats here believe the demo-
cratic party has a record to make in
this legislature and that there are
other things to be done besides
monkey" with what seems to be di-
partisan politics in Marion county.
But still the bill may pass If the lash
Of party prejudice is put behind the
bill.
The house has turned another prob
lem over to the senate for considera-
ton in the registration of voters
muddle. There is a decided sentiment
here for the enactment of some
amendments to the registration law.
all the ideas seeming to center on a
permanent registration plan. The
house, meanwhile, has gotten into a
tangle over the question because the
house democratic caucus appointed a
special committee on registra ton,
which introduced one bill and the
two elections committees of both
houses introduced another. The house
passed them both-another nut for
the senate to crack the best way it
can.
Workmen's compensation is by no
means solved A bill has advanced to
third reading in the house but many
are known to be opposed to it and in
the senate no further advancement
has been made. An industrial arbitra-
ton bill has been introduced in the
house by Rep. Feick and it is under
stood to have the endorsement of the
governor. but senate action on ii is
entirely problematical.
Besides all these situations there is
a decided sentiment among legisla-
tors being freely expressed here now
that the legislature should adjourn
before it undertakes to solve any of
these apparent problems. The peO-
pie of Indiana are tired of legislation,
these men say, and the most COM
mendable thing this legislature could
do, they say they believe, would be
to adjourn with only enough laws
passed to make a very small pocket
volume out of the 1915 statutes.
Will Hinder Some Bills.
This sentiment undoubtedly will
hinder work on important bills during
these last two weeks of the session
and may even become strong enough
to defeat many measures that now
seem to be on the road to passage.
And there's where the trade winds
might come in. Trade winds are very
valuable at times in legislative storms.
for they calm the boiling seas and
make navigation easy. Some here are
in favor of compromising all import
ant questions now before either house,
in the way that most truly signifies
legislative government.
Meanwhile numerous administra-
ton measures. remedying slight de-
fects in the existing taxation laws and
tightening the burden of the present
state administration with regard to
finances, have been passed or are on
the road to passage. The two APP
preparation bills are about ready for
final action, the regular bill having
been passed by the house Saturday
Unless fights on these bills develop IN
the senate they will have the easiest
SleOulnS ltllS season Iney nave mao
for many years, although some dem
ocrats and republicans in the house
are protesting against the creased
methods by which they are being put
through. Both these bills make big
cuts in all financial transactions the
state must undergo in the next two
years. A plan seems to be developing
TO solve the foot and mouth disco Sc
financial problems also.