South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-12-02
HOT SESSION DUE
IN LEGISLATURE
Republicans Hope to Cement
German Vote by ReaC-
tive Measures.
Ven. Tlmes specIaI Service.


INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. Dec. 2.-It
would be particularly unfortunate
for the record Of Indiana as a war
state were the republicans in the
next s. ssion OF the legislature, 70
fail to repeal the law for compul-
sorry teaching Of German in the
schools. This was the consensus Of
opinion at the Gat1ering here re-
Gently OF democratic members OF
the legislature. AT which plans for
assisting ia constructive legislation
in every way possible were laid by
the minority II Is confidently pre-
diCted here that there viii be very
deliberate backing away from the
whole German-eradicatio program
when the republicans meet in the
next session of the Legislature. ana
! the democrats attribute this feeling
on the part Of the republicans TO
their desires 10 remain in power IN
state government as long as possible.
BY falling 10 ALLEVIATE the persons Of
German extraction in the state, the
democratic leaders said they believe
the republicans will perhaps feel
that they are cementing this element
Of the voters to the republican stand
ards for all time 10 come.
The question Of whether the re-
publicans Will face this issue valiant
~ will be put up directly to the pom
derous majorities of the winning
party In the legislature it now is
assured. since the democrats decided
here 20 introduce a bill, calling for
the immediate repeal OF the German
taching law. There are many other
legislative problems that are in
much the same formative state. For
example. Gov. Goodrich is again in
tent or the enactment of fam Gus
Concentration OF power bill" COM
mouiy known as the Conservation
commission bill" under which the
Capitalization of many departments
Of state that now are operating
under legislative enactments which
provide for their creation and oper-
alton. would be placed directly i'm
the governors hands. The enact
ment OF such a bill as this and the
possibility that certain persons might
be named 10 head such a commits
sion. is being discussed broadcast
land at the democratic conference
here it was pointed out that it
would be too bad for such depart
ments as the fish and game pro-
tective department. the state ento-
molOgist's department-which has
saved hundreds Of thousands Of dol
lars IN Indiana by its successful fight
ing OF insect plagues-the state geol-
ogists department, and similar Of
fees to cease functioning just now.
when Indiana needs all the assist
ance possible for her readjustment
purposes.
The democrats at their conference
here determined that they would
not be a party of blind opposition TO
everything the republicans propose
i'm the legislature, but that they
would support the good proposals 10
the limit As TO certain of the re-
publican platform measures there
will be good. solid dem ocratic oppo-
sition from start to finish Il was de-
termined, but where good legislation
is proposed, which would result in
real good 70 the people Of the state.
the democratic minOrities viii be
found voting steadily for Il. accord
Ing to the plans laid at the confer
ence here.
There were many spots Of high
light amid the gloom Of the recent
defeat IN which the democratic lead
ers and legislators assembled here.
! Many see IN the heavy republican
pIuralities in the legislature the
worst menace 10 continued rePub-
lican control that possibly could
have been devised by an enemy Of
the republican party. Already there
are certain indications from the re-
publican camp that all is not well
among the legislators. Strife is on.
for instance. to determine whether
Arthur Mckinley Of Muncie. or c. J.
Nrunton of Kendallville shall lbe lead
or OF the senate for the majority
party II looks like MuntOn just
now. but already his record in the
last general assembly has been con-
dem0ed. Leaders are discussing
NcKinley's candidacy with the
thought that while his record has
been good he never has been a pro-
nounced leader in legislative mat
tiers Which OF the two will be
selected seems uncertain and IL ap-
pears that the selection Of either
will not exactly fill the bill.
The house is so predominantly re-
publican that fears already are be-
ing expressed among the leaders
themselves that II will run riot in
the matter Of expenditures and en-
ployment Of assista nts and legisla-
ton that will he the result rather Of
emotion. or other unfavora bic con-
siderations. rather than wise delib-
GRAFTON.
There is indication also that II the
excise tax bill again is thrown into
the hopper. there VIII be immediate
trouble among the republicans, not
only i'm the house but in the senate
as well All In all the legislative
outlook is not at all pleasing for the
republicans and the democratic
leaders here are waiting their op-
portunitv 20 throw quite Il mum Der
OF monkey wrenches into the ma
chinery.