Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-02-13
PROBE BILL SHIFT
BALKED BY HOUSE
Attempt to Amend Sproul Meas
ure Thwarted by Large
Maj ajority
CERTAIN OF PASS SA g E
Original Plan to Investigate Governor
Will Be Adopted by
Assembly


HARRISBURG, Feb. 10, -- with the
ware Brumbaugh members of the House
voting with the Penrose forces in FAVOR OF
the Sproul resolution to investigate Gov
srnor Brumbaugh and the departments OF
the State Government, as II came from the
Senate. all efforts TO amend the measure
failed In the lower branch of the Legisla-
ture today
Representative Wilson G. Sarig Of
Derks, offered the same amendment that
was offered by Senator Washers or YORK
n the Senate.
Speaker Baldwin ruled that the amend
nent was unconstitutional and out OF order,
ond on the vote on his ruling, the House
stood 14S to ~ to sustain him. Seven OF
the thirty-seven Democratic members Of
the House voted to sustain Baldwin.
A second effort to amend the probe meas
ure was then made by Representative
Charles Walters, of Franklin His amend
ment would have made the proposed COM
mission report to the Legislature not later
than May l next. instead OF June /, as the
resolution now reads.
AMENDMENTS LOSE
A debate that was as hot as the one over
the Sarig amendments ensued with Repre-
sentative George W. Williams, OF Tioga,
seconding the Walters amendment, and Rep
resentative Frederick Beyer. of Philadel.
phia opposing IT, The second amendment
was voted down, 113 to SO.
Every member from Ihlladelpnla voted
against both amendments.
The Sproul resolution was made special
0rder for II 80 o'clock, upon motion OF
Representative Cox, Philadelphia, seconded
Hy Representative Boyer Cox was the
vare-Brumbaugh candidate for Speaker and
Beyer Is the Penrose floor leader
The measure was on the calendar FOR
second reading, and any efforts to amend
= had to be made today.
As soon as the resolution was called
representative Sarig. the Democratic floor
loAder, introduced the so-called washers
amendment.
Sarig said that he wanted to call the
hun of the two Republican factions
WANTS FULL PROBE
IF they want an investigation let both
sldes be investigated" he said. II believe
thar the time has come when the people of
Pennsylvania want TO know " talk of an
investigation is all a bluff. I call the blum
right now, and IL we want an investigation
lot us pass the amendment | have intro
1uced.
The Governor has virtually served notice
On us that he will not sign the Sproul reso-
hutton in it's present form, and ! don't think
we could pass IL over his veto"
When Representative Sarig had con-
o1uded, Boyer raised the same point of
erder that was raised by Senator Sproul
IN the upper branch last week. declaring
that the proposed amendment was uncon-
Dtitutional, II proposed TO delegate
legislative functions to a commission not
composed of members Of the Legislature.
Representative Goodwin, Venango, also
argued that this Legislature cannot trans
Ter its powers to any other body"
r. CALLED INQUISITIoN
Representative Laucks York, argued that
I cAe proposed commission was an inquisi-
tDrial and not legislative body
Speaker Baldwin then decided that the
amendment was out of order, just as Leau-
Nsnant Governor McClain had decided a
week ago. Sarig then appealed from the
Z decision of the chair.
The vote on the second amendment that
was offered. the Walters amendment Is
regarded as the test vote in the House on
: the probe and insures the final passage of
the investigation measure by the House