Omaha daily bee., 1915-03-06
SALARIES BILL
PUSHED THROUGH
House Committee Of Whole Accepts
Measure with Number Of Re-
auctions in Force.
LEAVE EIGHT BANK EXAMINERS


LINCOLN, March 5.--(Special 1.-The
power which Mr.. Norton OF tho finance
committee has over mis- colleagues was
shown. this morning when the salaries
bill II. r. 40. came UP and went through
with scarcely kick. Nobody seemed to
care whether the state was run on an
efficient basis or whether men with
future ideas on political prefer1nent could
incorporate their ideas into bills A
number OF state house employees heads
are chopped off by the measure.
One or two members attempted to get
changes in the bill but TO no avail, and
the thing went through as II 1t was going
down tobbogan slide. After adjourn
ment At noon Patterson and one or two
others began TO discover how they had
been worked anad registered a personal
protest with Norton. Hoffmeister and one
or two others for running the thing
through without giving time for dis
cussion.
Both Norton and Hoffy declared that
this was free country and the members
could have kicked II they wanted to. but
Of course the thing was over and It was
no use to cry over spilled milk"
sHands Off" Followed.
The nearest the house came to amend
ing the bill was when Representative
Korff pointed out a superfluous letter
IS after the state treasurer's office
title. Lr. Korff wanted to strike out this
typographical error, but Chairman Nor
ton Of the finance committee explained
that this was not necessary. as the ORR
ginal bill di dnot contain the extra letter
Chairman Elmelund of the banking com
rnittee tried TO amend the bill by pruvid-
ing for nine bank examiners instead of
eight. and allowing the department two
assistant clerks instead of ono. He justi-
fled this proposal by saying that In the
last year the number OF banks had in
creased over fifty and examiners have all
they can do. Mr.. Hoffmeister. member
OF the committee. replied that the number
of examiners had originally been fixed at
seven. but at the request of Secretary
Royse put Il back to eight. the same num-
Der now employed. Hoffmeister said the
governor end banking secretary had told
him they thought they could get along
with eight.
Work ON Increase.
Mr.. Paterson oontradicted EIoffmeister,
saying he had talked with the governor
and Royse and they both told him they
thought nine examiners would be neces-
sary- He said the work. OF the DEPART
ment was constantly increasing In spite
Of the talks made by Elmelund and
Patterson, the amendment was voted down.
Mr.. Horribly sought TO restore the pro
vision for three deputy game wardens,
which provision the house some time ago
voted 20 abolish This would have meant
an appropriation OF 5000 per year each for
the deputies-of Sa.60o for all Of them dur
Ing the next two years. The amendment
had very little support.
Labor Commtasioner stands,
Mr. Howard took q shot at Labor Com
missioner f. NJ. coffey by sending up a
motion 10 strike out his salary OF 81 500
per year. This was lost.
A salary provision OF 81 800 per year for
scabbies inspector IN the live stock de-
partnnent was opposed by Mr. Reisner,
who moved 90 cut II out OF the bill OBJ
tections were offered by Hoffmeister.
Brcorne and Rieschek. When the vote
was taken. even Reisner failed to say
aye. and his motion was turned down
unanimously.
The. salary bill viii be passed by the
house as soon az II can be engrossed.
Chairman Norton OF the finance commit
tee expects to take up the general main
tenance BILL House Roll No. 75i. within a
short time. II has just been received
from the printer.