South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-04-21

NeEs-Times Special Service.
INDIANAPOLIS. Ind. April 20
Little BY little it Is becoming more
apparent ell the time that somebody
has thrown a mon key wrench in the
machinery that was expected 10
bring on a special session OF the In
diana legislature. Just what IL is
that has caused the hesitation on the
part OF Gov. Goodrich 20 issue the
call Is not yet known clearly, but
hat something happened is now evil
dent TO everybody.
Every time YOU ask one OF the
close friends OF the governor what
q bout the special session, ne an
swers:
ct really don't believe the COVER
nor has made up his mind"
The governor had his mind made
up once. That was certain. While
he was in Washington three weeks
ago he made the statement that he
did not see how he could avoid a
special session. When ne came home
from Washington he sounded out
some OF the party leaders and
found that there was a lot OF OPP
position 10 the plan. but this did
not affect him. He appeared 10 be
dead set on calling the lawmakers
together. One night ne had a num-
Der OF the biggest Indiana republi-
cans at his home for a quiet little
conference where no one could sea
OF hear anything. Among those
present was Sen. James +. Watson.
Vow. Watson has had some expert
cnce with a special session OF the
legislature He was a candidate for
lovernOr in 1908 and in that year
Gov. Hanly called the legislature in
session 10 pass the county local op-
ton bill That bill cost the election
for the republicans and Watson went
down TO defeat with the rest. and
Thomas r Marshall became COVER
or. Therefore. il might be expect
ID that Goodrich would listen a lit
tie 70 what Watson might say on the
subject Watson advised against
calling a special session. and did not
hesitate TO tell the governor that il
would play directly into the hands
of the democrats, for they would
take advantage OF every opportunity
10 light on" the republican state
administration for anything and
everything
Watson Emphatic.
others who were at the con-
ference told the governor prac-
ticany the same and advised against
the special session idea, but Wat
son. it is said. was the most out
spoken and emphatic OF all.
oughly satisfied with the kind Of ad-
vice they gave him that night. and
he wanted 10 go further and ask
some others about it. It was then
that ne called in the republican and
democratic leaders OF the two
branches OF the legislature and laid
his program before them and asked
them il they would stand for it and
ask for nothing else.
lie received the assurances that
ne sought. but ever since that day
il has been evident that a tiny little
speck OF doubt has fingered in the
back OF the executive head. and he
has been hesbatinE. When the BIZ
partisan conference was held II was
thought that the call would be is
sued within the next day or two.
But that was more than a week
ago. and no call has been forth
coming.
Afraid OF Democrats.
The fact is that ever since that
conference some Of the governors
closest political friends and associ-
ates have been pouring into his ear
"a warning to the effect that he
should beware OF all democrats and
their promises They have sought
70 impress him with the idea that
the democrats would be in fine
clover at a special session Of the
legislature and that they would not
hesitate To rip open some OF the old
sores that have troubled the repub1i-
can party in Indiana for years.
Some OF those who are opposed to
the calling of the session firmly be-
lieve that they have talked the gov
ernor out OF 1t. and they are chuck
ling cleefully over their accomplish
ment. II the real truth were known
some OF these men are more afraid
~ a special session than the COVER
ror is,himself. If the special session
idea is abandoned they will have
won a personal victory for them
selves. II will not be the governor
who has carried his point. Indica-
FhTu bunch