Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-03-15
ROW ON CHARTER
BILLS IMPENDING
Exciting Legislature Skir-
mishes Also Promised on
Liquor Question
RURAL MEN IMPATIENT
High Living Cost Perturbs the
Country Members, Who In
sist on Adjournment

Some action on the Philadelphia char
ter bills, which have been slumbering
in the Senate Municipal Affairs Com
mittee since their introduction. two
weeks ago, by Senator Woodward, is an
ticipated when the Legislature recon
venes next week.
No move for hearing has been made,
and precious time has been wasted as
result of this inactivity. The demand
for action was voiced by George w.
Coles at the meeting of the charter
committee Thursday II developed later
that the failure TO request hearing
had been due to O misunderstanding
In contrast to the inactivity relatlNe
to the charter bills was the quick WORK
performed on the Brady bills 10 revise
the registration laws and simplify Vot-
ing The three bills were introduced by
Representative Brady, of Philadeiphia,
on Monday night and were reported out
Of committee Wednesday after the hrst
factional row of the session.
Ware members of the House Elections
Committee strenuously opposed prlhs-
ing out the measures, but their oppo-
stion was voted down by the Penrose
majority in the committee. The DIS
will appear on the House calendar TINS
week and the fight which started in the
committee is expected TO be carried 10
the floor of the House. =
Forecast House Row
Unless Republican leaders interfere IN
the interest of harmony one OF the oiu-
time rows, such as marked the session
two years ago, Is certain to follow IN
the House. Ware members take the
same stand on the Brady bills as they
took on the charter revision measures
two years ago. charging introduction
was actuated by fac:,onai motives.
Trouble also is anticipated during the
coming weeks unless the leaders take
some steps to pacify the country mem
hers Most of the members from the
rural districts are insursent by nature.
They have been going along with the
organization so far this year, but gradu-
ally are becoming restless under the
yoke
Much of their mpatience is due to
the desire to get the session over. The
high cost of living is higher than ever
in Harrisburg this session, and there is
lack of the interest that usually marks
Legislative session.
Unless the leaders act promptly and
accede to the demands of the rural leg
islators the latter threaten to revolt
AS they control about sixty voteS they
could make things uncomfortable for
the balance of the session.
steps were taken last week to set the
date of adjournment for May 15. The
House Resolutions Committee was en-
pected to introduce a resolution fixing
the adjournment time It failed to do
so. and now the leaders are reported
to be trying to move the adjournment
time up week to May 8.
If more haste Is not made in intro
ducing the administration measures
which have not yet been presented it is
hard to see how the Legislature can
finish up by that time. Several proposed
administration measures have not yet
made their appearance.
Liquor Forces Busy
Both the "wets'' and "drys" in the
Legislature expect to get busy next
week. The "drys' are planning to in
troduce their enforcement measures and
the ''wets" will put in their bills to de-
fine an intoXicant if they reach an
agreement on the measures.
The "wets" planned to put their bills
in last week, but difference in opn-
ion as to what provisions were to be
inserted in the bills caused delay.
Some tall skirmishing is certain to fol-
low when the rival liquor and anti
liquor forces oppose one another.
Representative william +. Rorke's bill
to permit concerts, lectures and movies
OF an educational character after
D. m. on Sundays has begun to attract
statewide attention. The sub-commit-
tee in charge of the bill held a hearing
here last Monday which was marked by
tumultuous scenes.
On Monday morning the committee
will hold another public hearing in
Pittsburgh and on Wednesday the third
and final hearing will be held in Harris
burg Movie houses have begun
statewide film campaign in the interest
Of the bill. which Is opposed bitterly by
church people 49,.
Three hearings are scheduled for next
week, which will attract various inter-
ests from Philadelphia to Harrisburg
The Baldwin bill to increase pilotage
rates on the Delaware River and the
Scnantz bill to decrease the hours of
work for women will be aired at public
hearings next Tuesday.
! Compromise on Taxes
On Tuesday a second hearing will be
held on the Horne bill to abolish the
mercantile tax While 1t is almost GER
( tain that tax will not be repealed some
sort of q compromise which will appease
the merchants opposing the bill is anti
/ cipated
The House whirled along with con-
siderable speed last week. Committees
reported out bills on a wholesale scale
and the calendar for last week was
cleaned up in jig time.
Tuesday was said by members OF the
Legislature TO be by far the busiest day
this session. In addition to sessions
morning and afternoon. a'number of i'm
portant hearings were sandwlched In
between,
1t was also the occasion of the
memorial service for the late Senator
James p. McNichol which was attended
by more than 400 politicians, big and