Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-02-09
Peehc4 IT,
Pe~~eqeSa~;o
By the Ex-Committeenan

Now that the resolution for the
probe of government in Pennsylvania
is in the House and people can form
a pretty fair idea of what it is going
TO do to politics in Pennsylvania, the
Legislature will get into its stride and
things which usually occupy atten-
ton will commence to figure again.
The framing of the appropriation
bills will be taken up with little de-
lay and consideration will be given
to amendments to the school code,
third class city code and similar meas
ures which are subjected to biennial
changes. Little time will be lost as the
leaders have begun to realize that the
Legislature will have to be industrious
to overcome the dilatory policy of the
first month.
The local option bill. which has
lately kept people all stirred up until
after the middle of each session, will
be brought out promptly, possibly next
week, and there will be no hearings.
In years gone by friends of local option
have rallied here, held hearings, made
demonstrations and gone home with
the bill defeated. The opponents of
local option have control now, but will
permit a fight to be made to put the
bill on the calendar Notwithstanding
the negative recommendation which it
is expected the committee will give.
Local option is not getting the atten-
ton it did last session, and it is the
general impression that some of the
boomers of local option did the cause
more harm than good this year.
The thing to do after the Nickerman
bill is put out of the way will be to
organize at once for the contest next
year. The organization of the Legis-
lature ended chances of local option
in 1917.
Regarding the investigation reso-
luton, which went through first read
ing without a chirp in opposition yes
terday in spite of a lot of newspaper
noise, the Philadelphia Inquirer to-
day says: Unless there shall be a
change in sentiment there appears to
be no doubt that the Sproul resolution
will be passed finally by the House
and he sent to the Governor. Should
the Governor veto the resolution the
Penrose men cannot count upon u
two-thirds vote to pass the measure
over the Governors veto. Their plan
then will be to offer a concurrent res
olution which does not require the
signature of the Governor. Indepen-
dent Investigations regardless of what
shall be done in the way of general
probe are being considered by the
PenroSe chairmen of various standing
committees before whom State off,
cials it is proposed, shall be summon
ed to give an accounting of their off,
cial acts"
Reports are persistent that Pri-
vate Secretary William III. Ball is be-
ing seriously considered by the Gov
ernor for appointment to succeed Sam
uel b. Rambo as superintendent OF
public grounds and buildings.
-Cloyd b. Ewing, of Mt. Union,
named yesterday to the State Board
of Agriculture, is personal friend of
the Governor and interested in aSri-
cultural studies. For years he has
been observing farming conditions in
Huntingdon and counties in the Juni-
alta valley.
Philadelphia magistrate system
was hotly attacked yesterday by Pow
ell Evans and James c. Jones in ad-
dresses before businessmen and it is
likely that there will be considerable
sentiment manifested to make a sub
stantial change in the plan for cases
now going before the magistrates.
Mayor Smith, of Philadelphia, has
gone to the South again and insists
that he is not taking a hand in legis-
lative matters. The Mayor is study
ing the transit situation and may have
some meetings in Southern States on
the matter.
The Union League of Philadelphia
at a meeting held last night heartily
endorsed the President, the gathering
being one of the most notable ever
held in the city and the action of the
great Republican. Organization . in
standing behind a Democratic Prest-
dent will be much commented upon.
-Luzerne liquor dealers have start
ed proceedings against seventy keepers
of saloons whose manner of conduct
ing their business does not meet with
approval. This is cleaning house with
vengeance. Among the charges
made are selling on Sunday, conduct
ing unsanitary places and gambling.
In Bradford county the sale OF
bottles has been abolished over bars
If a man wants a bottle he must &c
to a wholesale house.
An old friend. bill for stand
ard textbook for schools, is expected
to appear this session.
| The Philadelphia Record to-day
says that Representative Herman l.
Hecht instead of making a roar over
the Sproul probe resolution at the
meeting of the House appropriations
committee. was very tame and that in
stead Of tearing things up he practic-
ally apologized for having to oppose
the measure, saying that he was In an
embarrassing position.