Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-02-20
PeeItc4 i~
Pe~~oqeOaio
BY the Ex-Committeeman

Possibilities of an extra session of
the legislature appear to have sup
planted gubernatorial ambitions as
a topic of conversation among peo-
pie interested in State politics and
there are more ideas for subjects to
be acted upon being heard of than
ever expected. In fact, the sug-
gestion being made for inclusion in
the call have been an unexpected
development of the sounding of SEN
timent announced from the Cover
nors office in the absence of DR..
Brumbaugh in Florida.
In addition to the mine cave pro-
position which was submitted at the
Executive Department and which
will be a burning them among legis-
lators from the anthracite regions. if
a call is issued, the question of a
larger measure of home, rule for
third class cities, numerous changes
in the second class city government
tai scheme and the reform of the
Philadelphia government will be
asked. 1t may also be possible that
the volunteer police idea may be
extended as was done in New York
State and even an increase of State
Police doomed.
In regard to apportionment it will
have to be made upon the results of
the 1910 census which showed that
the gains in population were all in
Philadelphia and Allegheny coun-
ties. The figures of 1910 as worked
out in the session of 1915 showed
Philadelphia and Allegheny each
gained a congressman and that
Philadelphia would gain a senator,
the latter at he expense of some
other part of the State. AS to the
Legislative re-apportionment under
the figures for 1910 Philadelphia
and Allegheny would be gamers
again and some counties, Tioga,
Cumberland, several others stood to
lose one member OF the two they
now have. Re-apportionment is at
best a fruitful source of contention
and if complicated with an effort
to change things to insure the rati-
fication of the dry amendment would
make an extremely interesting sit
uation.
The marked contrast between
the positive declaration of a morn
ing newspaper in Harrisburg on the
subject of an extra session of the
Legislature and the fiat statement
by Senator Edwin H. Ware, one of
the potential figures in Pennsylva-
mia politics that he was opposed to
any such proposition was much COM
mented upon at the Capitol to-day.
dat nh
big Democratic newspaper of the
state, says to-day that the extra ses-
sion talk is being used for political
effect. In Pittsburgh newspapers do
not look upon the matter seriously.
In Philadelphia it is said to be
uncertain whether Philip IL. John
son, brother-in-law of the late
Israel II. Durham. will run for the
Senate or not, but Congressional
contests seem to be certain.
Auditor General Snyder has ap-
pointed Selectman Elias Abrams,
leader of the Sixteenth ward of Phil
adelphia, one of the special auditors
in the Office of the Mercantile APP
praisers at a salary of $4,000 year.
John A. Voorhees,, secretary of the
Republican Alliance, is reported to
have landed a similar plum, but says
that he has received no official word
of his appointment.
The dry amendment is making
headway rapidly in Pennsylvania
and it is generally recognized that it
will be supported by many people
not a bit interested in who runs
either the Republican or Democratic
or Socialist parties, and who, by the
way, are not members of the Prohi-
bition party.
1t is an interesting fact that there
has been a decl.re in the number of
liquor licenses sked for in many
counties of the State, even in the
anthracite region. The coal regions
generally declare men who have
been keeping tabs on the situation
show a decrease in licenses and
many of the coal companies are en-
couraging prohibition from good
sound business principles and with
no political leanings.
With Highway Commissioner
O'Neil running for governor and eX-
Highway Commissioner Frank E.
Black running for congress at large
if there would be anything about the
State road system that would not be
told it would be remarkable.
Representative Samuel A. Whi-
taker, of PhoeniXville, who is cap
tain in one of the Pennsylvania ar
tillery regiments. is to be run for
reelection by his Chester county
friends although he may be in
France when election takes place.
Representatives Hollingsworth and
Graham may also run.
Thomas Foster, the Philadel-
phia policeman who resigned be-
cause he had some "run-ins" with
Isaac Deutsch, has become Read
ing railway officer. He was not
out of job long.
Thomas Forcey, a Lansdowne
man, has been chosen by council to
fill four borough offices at a COM
bined salary of S1,S0O. He comes
close to being a borough manager.
Allan d. Miller, of Susquehanna
who represent Susquehanna county
in the lower House of the general
assembly, will be a candidate for a
second term according to an an
nouncement that appeared in Sus-
quehanna papers during the week.
Mr.. Miller is a Republican and
prominent in the State Grange.
Representative Fred Ehrhardt,
who has represented the Third leg
islative district in the lower house
for many years, is being urged by
many of his friends to enter the
race for the Republican nomination
for state senator says the Scranton
Republican. So far Mr.. Ehrhardt
has reached no decision and it is
said that should he decide to stay
out of the senatorial fight he will
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