Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-06-04
BRuMBAUGH HITS
At SEVERAL |SMS
Sets Forth His Ideas in Regard to
Municipal Ownership and
Initiative in Cities

In veto messages put out last night
announcing disapproval OF bills on
June l Governor Brumbaugh smites
certain ideas that have been much in
the popular mind and In political dis
cussion in the last few years. He dis
approves of Pittsburgh going into the
municipal ownership of street railways
and declares the initiative and refer
endum on ordinances in third class
cities as proposed by a new Clark act
as "a vagary in legislation"
In vetoing the Clark act which
would have changed the initiative and
referendum feature of the act of 1913
the Governor says:
This bill requires the passage OF
an initiated ordinance without amend
ment 1t prohibits careful consid-
GRAFTON and correction during passage
of an ordinance thus started. 1t de-
nies the right of utilizing the results
of public study and criticism. II is "A
Nagary in legislation that Will not en-
dure. 1t is unworllable."
Other bills announced as vetoed on
June / We're:
Tompkins Senate bill for appoint
ment of coroners physicians in coun-
IleS having between l'VsupN anu
10000 population, the Governor say
ing: There is no reason given for the
creation of this new officer and thls
increased expense that would warrant
approval" The Governor also said
that the services of a physician could
he had at any time and that the classi-
fiCation of counties was another at
tempt of doubtful propriety' to es-
ca pc the provisions of Article III, Sec
tion I. of the Constitution. He added:
I'm the interest OF economy without
decreasing efficiency this bill has no
defense"
Beidleman Senate bill providing for
advances on appropriations for State
institutions on bonds being given. on
this the Governor says: House bill
No. 1858. relating to the same subject
and containing a practical and eco
nomic means OF disbursing these
funds, has been approved. This bill is
not practical. Payments made at the
end of month which Is at the begin
ming of a quarter would under this bill
he in excess of the sum in the general
fund of the State Treasury
Crow Senate bill authorizing county
controllers in counties having between
5000 and 100000 to appoint solicit
ors. The Governor says: 1T has been
ascertained that this officer is not
needed the solicitor to the
county commissioners can just as well
he solicitor to the controller. To in
crease the cost OF legal services and
10 add to the official group of Office
holders at increased cost is not in the
interest of economy or is 1t good
policy"
Kline Senate bill granting power to
second class cities in regard to street
railways, etc, and granting right OF
eminent domain. 'Why should cities
of the second class have a power de-
MED all other cities?" asked the Gov
ernor in remarking that the powers
asked can be exercised only by GER
iticate from the Public Service Com
mission. why should any city thus
free itself from the just and Impair
'tial review of a commission created
specifically to safeguard the public and
prevent abuse and monopoly? Why in
a day OF advancing transportation
service should any monopoly be au-
thorized and a fare for passengers
increased above what is now paid &?
Why should a city purchase trolley
lines outside its own territory? There
are many other queries that naturally
arise in a study of this bill It is a
proposed adventure by municipalities
into a range of service that were better
left to competition and to the action
of local authorities"