The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1917-02-15

measures will be employed by Ohio to
relieve the freight congestion on the
IaiiroaG lines in the state unless the
Syste speedily demonstrate their
own ability to remedy the situation.
State officials are convinced the
congestion has become a real menace
to life and property. With thousands
of cars of coal standing idly on the
tracks Of the roads and with many
thousands Of people practically out of
frci "a lYi1-Rinter, the full supervis-
ory power of the state will be invoked
to set tue cars moving.
Reports on file show congestion of
sreisht to be the worst it has been
since the railway lines lost control
blocked, deliveries are belated, busi-
ness houses are sustaining repeated
losses. employees are losing time and
the people in general are being sub
jected to artificial prices for necessi-
ties
Railways are to be given one more
Hhance by the utilities commission to
handle the situation themselves. The
commission has called conference of
all traffic officials on Ohio lines to
discuss coal congestion.
If the railways do not get freight
moving state supervision or state con-
troll will be invoked at once.
Nearly every railroad in the state
has embargoes in force. Communi-
ties have been unable to receive coal
shipments because of the embargoes,
and it has been found necessary to
have orders for coal placed in the
name of cities. The state takes the
position that if freight in the railroad
yards were moved to destinations and
deliveries made, the equipment would
be made usable for other freight and
the situation made immensely better.
Would Harass Public Utilities.
To the series of bills pending that
will harrass the public utilities of the
state.has been added another. Sena-
tor Timby of Ashtabula introduced one
that is exactly the converse of the ia
nous Behne bill of two years ago. The
Behne bill sought to make municipal
ownership exceedingly more difficult,
while the new Timby bill, which is
backed by the public ownership
forces, makes it easy. Herbert S.
3igelow of Cincinnati is its principal
champion.
1t provides for issuance of bonds to
construct or acquire public utilities
on the faith and credit of the munich
palities on a majority vote of the
electors. The proposition may be sub
nitted by two-thirds of the council
or 10 per cent of the voters on petit
Giton. The only safeguard is the pro-
vision that the total of net indebted
ness shall never exceed an amount
equal TO so per cent of the value of
total existing fixed property assets of
The property of the corporation less
the total amount of any mortgage
liens attaching to the property. The
certificates of municipal auditors as
to this point is declared to be suffi-
tient, thereby practically removing
the safeguard.
Raise Pay of Election officials.
Although Gov. Cox had called to
him his flooE leaders in both house
and senate and asked that they watch
bills which would consume state
funds in order that careless legisla-
ton should mt produce waste, the
house passed the Israel bill increasing
the pay of election booth officials. 1t
remains to be seen whether this will
meet with the governors approval.
In the country and village precincts
the pay of judges and clerks was
raised from SO to SIS per diem and in
cities having registration it was
raised from SIS to So per diem. In
each rural precinct this means an in
crease of So and in each city precinct
$1S. AS there are $3.50 precincts in
the state the aggregate is large The
bill increases the pay Of deputy clerks
and assistants in boards of election,
as well.
Quail Can Sing Now.
With the galleries filled with those
interested, the house took up the bill
as a special order, placing the quail
on the song bird list. The speeches
were all in favor of the measure,
those opposed being timid about ex-
pressing their views with the over
whelming sentiment in favor Of the
bill In front of. Speaker Hopple's
desk we're several mounted quail and
pheasantA The solons pointed to
them frequently in arguing in behalf
of the bird.
Holden Resolution Passes.
BY % to the senate passed the
Holden resolution submitting to ref
erendum the question of complete suf-
frage for women after sensational
scenes.
The majority remained in secret
caucus until three-quarters Of an hour
after the hour for opening the session.
A New Liquor License Bill.
Senator Miller. Democratic floor
leader, has a substitute for the orig
inal license measure, which proposed
to change the date of issuing from
November to May to keep politics
and saloons divorces" Mr.. Miller's
substitute provides that when 1917
licenses expire they shall be extended
six months.
Recruiting the Militia.
Col. T. o. Crossan of the 7th regi-
ment says preparations were being
made to hurry recruiting the nation
al guard units remaining in Ohio to
full war strength.
Surgery for Crippled Children.
State legislative leaders, both Dem
ocratic and Republican. predict the
Snragne bill to provide for appoint.