Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-05-03
PoGEc4 IN
Pe~~aqsSa~ia
BY the Ex-Committecman

Judging from the manner in which
bills to reorganize the State Depart
ment of Agriculture are being pre-
sented to the Legislature there will
be nothing doing along that line this
/ session. No less than FIVE bills to
| change the administrative plan Of
the department are in hand. reorgan-
ization seeming to be about as lmpor-
| tant to some people this session as
the increase of departmental activity
in behalf OF an enlarged food sup
ply.
The department was more or less
OF storm-center last session and the
Granger element, which had demand
ed new system. got the framework
but precious little else as the de-
3artment operation under the act of
1915 was about the same as in for
mer years only with more politics.
However, 1t succeeded IN launching a
number OF important projects and has
been active in pushing the larger crop
propaganda
The upshot will probably be that
the department will run along about
as II has unless the. appropriations
committees in their shearIng of items
may decide to leave out funds for sal
aries and expenses of certain officials
and others. as is likely to be done in
other departments.
In this connection. remembering the
Governor has authority to reduce but
not to Increase appropriations. the
allowances for some departments may
be lower than the statutes call for
in the way Of salaries.
People who observe legislative
matters were OF the opinion to-day
that the Legislature would either ad-
| journ or recess on June IA, which
be a recess so that the Legislature
can be reassembled to scan sppropria-
tion vetoes, or to enact extraordinary
| legislation or an adjournment sine
die depends upon the matter OF recess
appointments.
The chances are that the resolu-
tion for the recess will turn up IN
the House next week and will go
through without much fuss and be
| concurred in by the Senate.
State Treasurer elect Harmon NJ.
Kephart. who yesterday closed years
of service as chief clerk of the Sem
| ate, expressed his thanks to the SEN
| ators and regret at severing his con-
nection with the upper house in these
words: ain passing from the posi-
tion that you have honored me with
to one where the duties are more diff
| ficult and arduous, 1 want to express
to each of you my sincere apprecia-
tion for your many acts of kindness.
In my association with you l have
endeavored to be a friend regardless
! of politics and I shall always cherish
the many kindly expressions of senti-
| ment and feeling given by each of
you. No spot in my life has a greater
charm for me because of your good
! fellowship and companionship than
| the position of chief clerk of the Sem
ate of Pennsylvania. In leaving you
feel that I would be ungrateful IL
| did not particularly remember one
man to whom more than to any other
owe my political success. Through
/ his recommendation you accepted me
as chief clerk, through his effortsf
I with others, l will become Treasurer
| OF this state. My heart swells with
a feeling inexpressible when I think
| of the brotherly affection shown to-
ward me by this man. the senator
from Fayette. William e. Crow. But
IL will be around often. You know
where the office is. The latch-string
is out and the states money at your
disposal"
| Thursday sessions are getting to
| be as unpopular as Friday sessions
used to be in the House. This morn
| ing there was a very scant attend
J ance. Between the visit of the state
| Society to Allentown, the appropria-
| tion committees Inspections and 9TH
er visitations there were not many
men left.
-Lehigh county legislators threat
en- to split over the bill for another
Judge in that county. Yesterday
Montgomery cquntians aired their
differences on the subject of another
| Judge and there will be a fight on
the floor of the House when the Le-
high bill comes up.
The members of the appropria-
tions committee plan to close up the
hearing on appropriation bills In
three weeks. Next week will end the
hearings on the Labor and Industry
Department. and the Public Service
Commission will follow.
The House bill list is about the
same as last session. but the roll OF
inauests will be larger by the time
the gavels fall sine die.
1T was said about the Capitol to-
dav that Auditor General Snyder
would likely reappoint more of the
men dropped by A. w. Powell in the
DAYS when he was stirring around In
state politics last summer. Incident
ally. some of the detective force OF
the department will get walking pa
pers pretty promptly as the rev Au-
ditor General is inquiring into the
work done by some of the men on
Powell's departmental payroll.
According to Pittsburgh men who
appeared yesterday before one of he
House committees, the whole state
local taxation system needs revision
series of bills presented by Rep
resentative Stadtlander was given an
airing but 1t is general'y believed
that they have come IN too late to
get very far.
Labor leaders from every part oi
the state are planning to come here
on Monday to Arrange some sort OF
a program on the compensation
amendments. The opposition 10 tn.
amendments has been growing
stronger because of the heavy ex-
penses and the war-outlook and the
administration has decided to remain
neutral in the matter. Labor leaders
will make a drive in the House t. ses
AL-u- e. thav Cnn <A