South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-08-19
Governor Expected to Decide
on Call Over Sunday
Matter of Finance
important Topic.
Nevs-Times Special Service:

NeWF-Ilmes Special Service:
INDIANAPOLIS. Aug. 1S.-Gov.
Goodrich viii decide whether or
not he viii call special session Of
he legislature probably some time
sunday He told the republican and
democratic leaders. in conference
With him here, that he would know
within As hours what steps would
be necessary.
Gov. Goodrich let II be know that
no suggestions had been forthcon-
INK from those assem- led at the
meeting relative to solving the home
defense situation with other than
legislative action IL is that particu-
lar phase OF the war situation which
has become the dominant factor in
The call OF a special session.
May Convene Aug. %.
II seemed highly probable. from
statements OF those who attended
the Friday meeting and from the
brief statement Of the governor
himself, however, that a special
session will be called. If IL is call
ed. it probably will convene in In
Democratic representatives and
senators attending the meeting in
formed the governor, il is said. that
their party in the legislature would
stand behind the general scheme Of
necessary war legislation, but that
they would oppose any form Of leg
islation. which might favor politics
To was made clear by individual
democrats. after the meeting. that
the party had pledged itself in the
meeting 70 no specific bill on any
subject. but would reserve the right
20 peruse all legislation the gov
ernor might propose.
The governor was questioned as
to mis- delay in calling the special
session He said he was unable 10
make public anything at this time.
He seemed pessimistic as 20 the pos
sibility Of solving the home defense
situation without special legislation.
The governor said ne had not sub
mitted any Of the bills on any leg
islative subjects that ne has had
prepared to the conference and that
the meeting merely was held TO de-
termine the attitude Of various leg
islative leaders toward the special
session and toward such individual
legislation as might be proposed.
Leaders in Conference.
Republicans and democrats. who
attended the conference. held meet
ings separately prior 10 the confer
ence and discussed the state situa-
ton. To is known that the democrats
determined TO oppose any political
question. such as the excise tax pro-
posal The conference lasted two
hours and practically all present
made statements concerning what
they believed should be done.
The coal situation is one Of the
main points on which interest CEN
tered. 1T was said. 10 one. il was re-
ported. had any plausible sugges-
tions Co make as to possibilities OF
solving the coal problem without
the enactment OF a statute provid-
ing the whole question is not taken
care Of by immediate drastic action
iu Washington
What About Robinson?
Much discussion is heard here on
the status Of Arthur K. Robinson, re
pualican floor leader OF the senate.
who has just been granted a cap
tainCy in the new national army
Some take the position that Capt
Robinson. by virtue Of his captain
cv. no longer is a state senator,
while others believe that he must
resign officially from the senate
Sen Robinson frankly SAYS he does
NOT know his status. and that he
probably viii resign II he resigns il
viii give the democrats a clean-cut
majority and it would be practically
impossible for the governor TO call
"a special election in Marion county
90 handle the question OF Robin
sons successor before the special
session was well advanced.
with the state senate democratic
ir complexion. any political bin the