The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-05-05
THE BILL
TO PAY CONV|CTS
House Approves the
Plan to Permit Pris-
oner Workers to Sell
Their Products
PLANNING BOARD
POWERS LIMITED
Commission Must Be Appointed In az
Third Glass City But It Is Not to
Have the Authority Prescribed in
the Bill AS Originally Introduced

The Alexander bill making it man
datory for City Commissioners of third
class cities to appoint planning COM
mission, was passed in the House last
night. The bill differs widely from
the original draft and the planning
commission is practically robbed of its
proposed powers, one of which was the
power of veto on city ordinances af-
fecting their work. The planning COM
mission can levy tax of one-twen-
tieth of mill. The commission is
created as an additional executive de-
partment of the city.
The Nissley bill regulating mausol-
Gums was defeated by a vote of to
169. Mr.. Spangler, of York, spoke
against the bill, saying it was proposed
by marble manufacturers. Mr. Hab-
good, of Mexican, and Mr.. Nissley. of
Dauphin, spoke for the bill Efforts to
reconsider the vote after the bill was
defeated, were not successful.
The House approved the bill, spon-
sored by Representative Graham, to
permit convicts in, the Eastern and
Western penitentiares to sell products
of their own manufacture to State and
county institutions. The bill, which was
backed by the Prison Reform Associa-
tion, removes the restrictions which
keep the great majority of prisoners
in idleness. The measure provides for
a fixed scale of wages, 75 per cent. to
be paid over to the dependents of the
prisoners, and for the payment of the
remainder to the conviets upon their
release. The House also passed an ac-
companying bill presented by Graham,
providing for a system of employment
in the State correctional institutions.
Bills Passed By House
Other bills passed finally included:
Providing for the appointment of a
commission to determine what parts of
the Constitution need changes and re-
vision.
Sixteen appropriations including
that for the Panama Pacific Exposi-
tion, State tuberculosis Sanitorium,
Huntingdon Reformatory, State College
and Spring City State Institution, to-
falling $6,00O,O0O.
Permitting o. H. Watts and f. D.
Lutz, of Millersburg, to sue the Com
monwealth for damages for injuries re-
ceived on State highway.
Taxing anthracite coal two and one
half per cent. ad valorum, dividing the
proceeds equally between the counties
and the State.
The Whitaker ,Titney bill was
amended in the Judiciary General com
mittee to permit City Commissions to
fix the amount of license fees for these
nickel autos. The Senate bill requiring
counties to pay the cost of primary
elections was reported to the House.
This is one of Governor Brumbaugh 3
revenue raisers. The "growler" bill
was reported negatively to the House
oy the Law and Order Committee. The
measure would have prevented the sale
II beer IN receptacles other than bot
les.
Mr.. Wildman in the Chair
Mr.. Wildman, Representative from
his city, was in the Speaker s chair
.or more than an hour. The three ses-
lions of the House yesterday, the last |
me terminating at 11.30 O'Clock last
light, made it the biggest legislative
lay in point Of actual business accom-
'lished since the opening of the session
n January. Eighty-three bills on third
eading were disposed of one way or
ynother. The second reading calendar
vas disposed of in the afternoon to
i've the House a third reading calen-
lar this morning. Among the bills
lassed on second reading was the
'wartz bill making the Public Service
Commission a bureau of the Depart.
nent of Internal Affairs.