Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-01-30
PoeiEc4 tn
Pe~~eqeeo~iA
By the Ex- ConzEnitteemAz

In the acrimonious debate which
occurred in the Senate last night over
the probe resolution one thing stands
out. 1t was the remark by Senator
William C. Sproul, sponsor for the
resolution, to the effect that the people
of Pennsylvania are sick and tired of
Philadelphia political fights being
dragged about and the rest of the
commonwealth being narrowed up.
The general sentiment of legislators
is that the whole investigation propo-
sition is the result of row with which
people living beyond the Philadelphia
city line have very little to do and care
less. Now that it has gotten started.
there is only one thing, say many
members, and that is to go through
with it. Some of the upstate legis-
lators blame Senator Penrose for start
ing the investigation and others roast
the Governor and his advisers for
attempting to fight it,
That the present proceedings are
going to have a tremendous effect
upon this falls county and municipal
elections all over the state is con-
ceded, and as for the Democrats, they
are helping things along as much as
they can.
Senator Boies Penrose was greeted
with a rousing demonstration at a
Pittsburgh last night and cheered as
leader of the Republican party in
Pennsylvania and a statesman whose
services were needed in the direction
of public affairs at Washington. He
appeared as a speaker at the annual
dinner of the Young Republican Tariff
Club in celebration of the birthday
of William Mckinley. The affair,
which was held at the Hotel Schenley,
brought together Republican leaders
and party workers, more than 500 in
number, from throughout Western
Pennsylvania. Mayor Joseph G. Arm
strong was the toastmaster. A Pitts
burgh dispatch says: "The presence of
the senior senator in Pittsburgh at
this time created a stir among local
Republicans, owing to the fact that
city offices from mayor down are to be
filled this year. Despite the fact that
Senator Penrose declared that he was
not here to assist in the selection of a
candidate for mayor. the local Repub-
lican leaders discussed the presence at
his headquarters of many influential
party workers who are urging that Z.
V, Babcock is the most available man
to succeed Mayor Armstrong"
Auditor General Powell, who was
battered by Senator Penrose in one of
his latest broadsides, is out with
riding should stop and other things be
brought about. The Powell statement
Is as follows: "Penrose is right about
the automobiles owned by the State.
For many years they have been eX-
travagantly used by many officers and
employees. At several times we have
suggested that they be marked. The
Attorney General also has suggested
it, and the plan has, been recon-
mended by the Economy and Efficiency
Commission, of which l am a member.
Now that the Legislature is in session,
this can easily be accomplished by
amending the automobile license act
so as to provide for special license
tag marked Pennsylvania State Car
and the number. This should be issued
to cars owned by the State, free, by
the Highway Department. There is
no sense in having one department
take money out of one appropriation
to pay it into another. The money is
all state money. and 1t is of no value
to multiply bookkeeping entries. Then,
too, the law ought to be so amended
that all fines for its violation should
be paid into the State Treasury. AS it
is, there is no practicable way to check
whether we get certain fines or not.
This is just by way of being fair; and,
admitting that neither side has a mo-
nopoly on good ideas, / believe in CIV
lighting him when he's wrong"
The appointment of postmaster
for Shenandoah has torn open the
whole Schuylkill Democratic situation
again. There are several patriots who
were disappointed and they will Join
with others in getting even. Now only
the Philadelphia port appointment
needs to be made to start things right
| Wilkes Barre people have decided
to join with Scranton after all in the
| "mine-cave" matter.
BILLY" Bowen is still holding the
fort In Philadelphia city hall and re.
fuses to believe he is fired.
With the Campbell case out of the
way, the Coleman-Kelly contest will bt
next. The effect of the decision is that
the tally sheets stand in contests. Fol
the first time In years part of Allie
gheny county has a straight-out Demo
cratic Congressman.
1 Mayor Smith, of Philadelphia, /,