Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-06-26
NEWS OF THE LEGISLAT URE

I ment was ratified, the vote being
decisive in either branch and the
woman suffrage amendment was
ratified in tho closing days.
Resolutions submitting State con-
stitutionaI amendments for graded
taxes clarifying the debt authority
of Philadelphia and broadening
legislative powers for banks were
adopted and will go to the people.
| other State amendments. including
home rule for cities and classthca-
| ton of counties and woman suffrage
were proposed.
Almost half of the State govern
ment is affected by reorganization
measures. Among the departments
are those of the Governor and the
salary of the next Chief Executive
will be $4,000; Secretary of the
Commonwealth, banking. Adtutant
| Generals, insurance, agriculture.
highway, printing. forestry. COM
pensation and others. In addition,
| increases of salary for officials in
charge of important work were
voted. The Department of Internal
Affairs was considerably enlarged
and new activities created, some
| bureaus being transferred from
other branches. The legislative
staff was also reorganized and
salary of $2,500 instead of $1,500
voted for men who will sit in sue
ceeding Legislatures. Substantial
aid for townships and cooperation
with counties in highway construc-
ton and maintenance were voted.
Responsibilities of the Governor
I 1I. hAt
relieved of much detail accumulated
| by statutes of a score of years and
the Office of Executive Controller
abolished.
More State Police
The State Police force was en-
larged by one troop and the duties
/, of the Fire Marshal's office trans
| ferred to it and a bureau of records
created.
| The administration program was
| largely carried out including enact
ment of sedition bill. The proposed
Department of Conservation was not
| created.
| Important changes in the educa-
tional system of the State were out
! lined, executive salaries increased,
| provision made for improvement of
rural schools, consolidation of small
cation expanded and provision for
| teaching loyalty made. Philadelphia
and Pittsburgh school boards re-
main unchanged, but authority to
| levy higher taxes is given.
Increased rates for workmen's
! compensation with a new basis of
computation of wages were passed
and a measure for creating a bu-
reau of rehabilitation sent to the
executive desk.
Increases of salaries for teachers
and judges were authorized, the
State to contribute millions to the
former in conjunction with school
districts.
A new automobile code was en-
acted and stringent regulations for
sales of second hand cars and ap-
prehension of motor vehicle thieves
made.
A State Art Commission to pass
upon public buildings and me-
MORALS was created and will be
named by the Governor.
More to Charities
Increased allowances were made
for charities, a start for the west
ern insane hospital and completion
| of various institutions authorized;
| $750,000 voted for mothers pen
sions and more money given for
| education.
A new office building, a bridge
| in memory of Pennsylvania SOL
diers and sailors in the great war
and improvement of Capitol Park
extension authorized for the State
civic center in Harrisburg
Funds to begin the Delaware
River bridge between Philadelphia
and Camden and for a bridge at
New Castle to be built in cooper
tan with Lawrence county and the
| city of New Castle were voted.
Steps to materially increase the
! State revenues by control of mer-
! camille and other licenses by the
Auditor General, enlargement ! of
power over foreign corporations and
a new inheritance tax code were
taken.
The proposed prohibition en-
forcement bills were defeated, to-
gether with a bill to legaIize the
sale of near beer" while a bill de-
claring an intoxicant beverages con-
tanning more than two and three
! fourths per cent. of alcohol was
! passed, which the Governor an
nounced he will veto.
Constitutional Revision
Bills creating commission to
study and recommend revisions of
the constitution and for a continu-
ance of the commissions to report
on old age pensions, health insur-
ance, coditication of insurance,
banking and penal laws were
passed.
The State Welfare Commission
was authorized to continue certain
phases of the work of the State
Council of Defence.
Provision was made for reorgani-
zation of the National Guard and
building of armories.
Authority for the State to DUR
chase land or accept donations OF
property to create game preserves
was voted and the protection taken
from the red squirrel; the blackbird
season advanced and protection
voted for the skunk and the polecat.
The proposed fishermen's license bill
failed. Enlarged authority over
forests. including right of eminent
domain for acquisition of forest
lands and more extended supervision
over water supply proposed.
Soldiers Preferred
Preference for soldiers of the
world war in civil appointment and
erection of memorials ordained
Building and loan associations were