South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-02-01
BELL CITY BILLS
ARE LIKELY TO
CAUSE STRUGGLE

CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.)
through the legislature and the Elem
ing resignation has added to this stu
alton materially. But the bill now is
practically a law and that one issue
is taken from this legislature, leaving
little else of major importance be-
fore the session. except such local
conditions as the Bell administration
measures and similar questions. The
democratic platform measures have
not appeared and neither have the
republican, except in minor in
stances But the republicans quietly
held a little meeting at the SEVERN
hotel Friday afternoon and there. it
is said arranged for the introduction
of certain OF their platform measures.
The democratic platform planks have
scarcely been heard Of this session.
with the exception of the primary
bill and the wOrkmen's compensation
bills When they will come in if they
do, is uncertain, yet this week is the
logical time for their introduction.
This legislature. as pointed out
early in its history, primarily is one
in which politics predOminate There
has been and is promised no over
shadowing legislation. Economy is
being practiced by the house and the
senate is following suit in many par
ticulars. But outside the primary bill
there seems TO be little that will at
tract real attention. From early indi-
cations the road question is to be al
lowed to slip along to an easy death,
with perhaps some amendments being
written in existing laws The chance
that there Will be drastic revision of
the road system in the state seems
slipping now.
As to the primary question, a new
phase has apparently developed. Gov.
Ralston and others are said to be
about ready to demand the passage
of that legislation. under the lash OF
the Indiana delegation in congress-
led by Sen. John Kern. who is a can
didate for reelection in 1916. Here
tOfore il had been understood that the
Ralston forces would hold away
from such organization and the news
that Sen Fleming resigned, for one
reason. because he feared that the
party would get into deep water over
the primary question with these men
mentioned perhaps leading the fight
for the enactment of such law was
"a deep surprise when it became
known here.
Many Bills Killed.
1t does not now appear that much
will be done with the voters registra-
ton law, although a quick movement
towards the last of the session may
radically amend this law. But several
bills introduces to repeal that law
have been lost in the deep recesses of
committees, which have come to re-
semble a Belgian battlefield, where
the soldiers are proposed legislative
bills of practically all types. The COM
mittees of neither house are Sinking
their duty to the people in killing
what they consider bad legislation.
In the house there are several COM
mittees, which have killed every bill
submitted 10 them
An issue may appear this week in
the Introduction of the general and
specific appropriation bills. These are
practically ready for Introduction and
the big slices of maintenance and
specific appropriations that are to be
proposed for the states institutions
will cause a long wall Of apprehen-
sion from the heads of these institu-
tons Many here now believe that
there is danger of the economy
streak in the house doing real dam
age TO the states institutions. should
the recommendation of the legisla-
tive visiting commIttee-made public
this week--be cOncurred in as TO all
particulars. 1t is understood there
Will be q decisive movement of the
leaders towards eliminating too much
I economy in the consideration of the
institutional problems, DuL Jnefe IS
we'll organized group of house farm
ers. who have cast their votes sOlidly
in favor of economical measures at
all times so far and just what these
men will have TO say regarding
opening up the report Of the visiting
cOmmittee-which cut and sashed
the appropriations OF two years ago
for the institutions not known.
This group of farmers however. has
shown itself generally 10 favor GER
tain educational facilities of the state
and other institutions that cost real
money 10 run and il may be that they
Will not oppose appropriate appropri-
ations for all the institutions when
the questions come up.
a private conference or caucus. Of
senate democratic leaders and John
Branaman. house democratic leader.
is set for Monday Afternoon at 1880
o'clock and IL is understood several
program measures then VIII be dis
cussed and tentative plans for future
action of both houses taken. The
most absolute secrecy regarding this
conference has been preserved and
the exact purpose for which it will
meet may not be known until after 1t
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