Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-02-07
Pssitscs i~
Ps~nsytSaa;a
By the E,x.Committecman

Governor William c. Sproul is
not an advocate of the bill to
aoolish the direct primary, and he
Is not sure that the next governor
or PENNSYLVANIA will be nominated
at state convention. In speaking
TO newspapermen last night the gov
ernor said bluntly that he did not
see any reason why the statewide
primary law should be set aside
Then he added that he thought that
there were some kinks in the nom
partisan act which should be
Strengthened out during the present
session of the legislature"
The governors action is said by
morning newspapers to be indica-
1--WE OF his opposition to- the Eyre
bill which abolishes the primary
and returns to the old convention
system for state officers.
This statement should go a long
ways toward clearing up some un-
certainties about the election laws.
There have been reports of whole
sale changes, while bills for all
kinds of new appliances for the vot-
ing machinery have been presented.
The non-partisan repeater looks
like the only bill that is at all like
ly TO get anywhere.
Revenue legislation said the gov
ernor, had not yet been worked out
in detail. Suggestions were being
received from all sources, and all
suggestions made were being given
consideration. The school people,
who are anxious to raise funds with
which to finance a S10.000.000 in
crease for teachers are advocating a
two-mill tax on manufacturing cor
porauons. The capital used in
manufacturing is not now subject
TO a state tax. Governor Sproul ex-
pressed himself as being inclined to
oppose any general real estate or To-
cal tax for state purposes. He was,
however. anxious to do something
toward tax revision. Governor
Sproul reiterated the view expressed
in his inaugural that il would be
impossible for the state to give the
schools twenty million dollar in
crease in appropriations for the next
two years.
Legislation providing for the ap-
pointment of commission of
twenty-five to study the problems
that should be brought up before
constitutional convention will soon
be introduced. The commission
would be authorized to report to the
neat lSSiSidluIS. at Which llllle lue
question of whether or not consti-
tutional convention should be call
ed will be decided.
While discussing proposed COM
munity memorials, Governor Sproul
said: Il think that community
houses which can be made centers
of community life make the only
kind of suitable memorials. These
buildings should not be formal
structures. but should be built with
a view to making them places in
which to foster community hos
pitality. ] am against the erection
of bronze and marble statutes.
Buildings of warmth and well light
ed are much to be preferred"
A couple of bills for additional
judges in coal counties are said to
be in prospect, but to be in storage
until the fate of the Allegheny judge
bill is settled.
Concerning the Mearkle met
ropolitan district bill the Pittsburgh
Post says: Business sense alone
should be sufficient to end the folly
of having scores of municipal gov
ernments working separately and to
cross purposes in this closely built
up district. Civic organizations of
the community should be prompt in
getting in touch with the members
of the legislature who show a dis
position to act for systematizing
public Improvements in this county.
The splendid teamwork of the citi-
Zens of the district in meeting war
needs should be seen in solving their
problems at home
The dinner activity at Washing
ton the last week is believed by
some people not to mean so much
that Congressman j. Hampton
Moore has any boom for the speak
ership, but that rather he is lining
up for floor leader.
The editorials in the newspapers
of the state on the prohibition
ratification in the House
are interesting. The Pittsburgh
the big dry" paper
of the state, sounds a call to keep
up the fight and expresses pride in
the action. The Philadelphia Press
reports progress on the amendment
and urges prompt action in the Sem
ate. The Philadelphia Bulletin dis
cusses seriously the effort to get
for the people in the
LIQUOR business. The Pittsburgh Dis
patch and Philadelphia Inquirer in
news articles say that the real bat
tie royal is coming over regulatory
The Dispatch says the
liuuor people want a bill giving lib
eraI Interpretation" to the laws. The
Philadelphia Record and the Ga
give Governor Sproul
the credit for putting the. amend
ment through the House, the latter
saving he kept the faith"