Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-02-13

The House then took up the DEBATE
on the resolution as a whole.
When the resolution came up Mr..
Sarig, Berks, promptly introduced a
series of amendments providing the
same plan of investigation by q COM
mission which was ruled out as un-
constitutional in the Senate last Mon
day. Mr.. Sarig is the Democratic floor
leader, and the proposed amendments
were drafted by the Democratic legis-
lative committee. Most of the Sena-
tors and many spectators were present
when the measure came up.
Mr.. Sarig addressed the House at
length on his amendments, saying the
Democrats believed they would meet
all objections made to the original
plan by the Governor and others as
unfair.
Il want to call the bluff about this
resolution for investigation. If the
two Republican factions want a fair
investigation as they claim they do,
let them vote for these amendments"
said he. I'VE have spent enough time
on this resolution. The people back
all this fuss" Mr.. Sarig said the peo-
pie are tired of the petty politics being
played and that they want an investi-
cation that will be thorough.
Irrespective of wnat the Governor
or anyone else wants, said Mr.. Boyer,
of Philadelphia, the proposition of
the Democrats is out of order because,
gate powers of investigation to any
other body.
Mr.. Walton, Franklin, objected that
Mr.. Boyer was debating a point of
order he had raised against the
amendment, but was not sustained.
If it is true that the Legislature
cannot have men not legislators as the
members of their committees to con-
slider bills it cannot confer its powers
of investigation to outsiders" argued
Mr.. Boyer. Every branch of constitu-
tional inquiry must remain where the
people placed it.
Mr.. Goodwin, of Venango, followed
Mr.. Beyer's constitutional argument,
holding that the Legislature cannot
exercise executive or judicial power,
nor can it divest itself of any powers
conferred upon it by the basic law.
Mr.. Laucks, York, made answer for
the Democrats to the points of uncon-
stitutionality, holding that the Legis-
lature had delegated power to investi-
gate mine caves" to men not assem-
blymen. The same was done for in
vestigation of feeble minded, the
chestnut tree blight, fire insurance
practices and other subjects, said he.
The point of order, he contended, was
an attempt to block the efforts of the
minority.
Mr.. Boyer held that the commits
sions cited by Mr.. Laucks were for
purely ministerial work and not along
the lines proposed by the probe"
commission resolution.
Speaker Baldwin sustained Mr..
Beyer's point against the amendment
and Mr.. Sarig appealed. Mr.. RAM
sey, Delaware, was called to the
chair.
Tho cbair 1vas sustainad 14o IN IA
Seven Democrats voted to sustain and
II Republicans, and others not to
sustain.
Effort to Report Earlier
Mr.. Walter, Franklin, seconded by
Mr.. Williams, Tioga, offered an
amendment to have the commission
to investigation report by May l in
stead of June /. Mr.. Walton contend
ed that IL the commission did not re-
port until June it would mean a leg
islative session prolonged into July.
The idea of the probe, he said, is to
get increased economy and efficiency
and to extend its time would drag out
the session. Mr.. Williams cited the
Capital investigation commission as
ono which did not conclude before the
Legislature adjourned.
Mr.. williams said in the case of the
Capital commission an extension of
time was granted, and 1t should be ar
ranged that the Legislature should not
be delayed by this probe. Those who
are urging the resolution, he said. had
not taken the House into their conf
dence.
Mr.. Boyer in reply said it would
be better for the people to have the
legislature sit longer this year and he
strongly resented the imputation that
the legislators were idlers. Mr.. Boyer
said limitation of the time to report
would be to close the doors on a prop
er investigation.