Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-05-06
NEWS OF THE LEGISLATURE
POLICE BILL IS
THROUGH HOUSE
Lower Branch Also Passes the
Bill to Repeal Nonpartisan
Third Glass Law


The House of Representatives last
night passed two bills which it had
defeated within u fortnight, the vote
in each case being emphatic and
after bitter debate. One of the
bills, that reorganiZing the State
Police force, was reconsidered and
passed with some votes to spare,
while the Wilson bill repeating the
nonpartisan elective feature was
passed after being reconsidered a
week ago. The evenings proceed
ings attracted much attention and
there was a large audience in the
House during the debates, a number
of Senators being present.
The Powell bill reorganizing the
State Police Department, creating
an additional troop to be located
here and establishing two new
bureaus, was the first to be taken
up. 1t was brought up on a motion
to reconsider by Messrs. Willert and
Skunk, Erie. and then debated for
an hour. The vote on passage Of
the bill was 131 ayes to 62 noes.
The bill, which was defeated two
weeks ago, now goes to the Senate.
The administration forces made a
~ 'N'f5 i'SAiI iOi bilC blll anu IiltlllN
men who opposed it before voted for
it. All Dauphin. Perry and Cumber-
land members voted for the bill.
Mr.. Whiteman, Westmoreland,
made the first speech for the BILL
declaring that the people of his
county looked to the State Police
to run down the murderers of a
school teacher in a particular afro
cious manner few days ago. If
the bill carried many millions of dol
lars, he said, he felt he would vote
for it,
Mr.. Dithrich, Allegheny, said that
labor was not against the bill, but
only some agitators. The people of
the State want more State police
men, he said.
The bill was opposed by Mr..
Fowler, Lackawanna, who said that
labor organizations resented being
classed as Bolsheviks and have al
ways been against radicals. There
is no need for an increase of the
Police, he declared, and opposed the
taking away of the jobs of fire, fish
and game wardens to put their du-
ties in the hands of the State Police.
Mr.. Fowler charged that orders had
been issued" to put through the bill.
Places for Veterans
Mr.. Walker. Philadelphia, said
the Police were needed and would
provide places for veterans of for
eign service, who would afford addi-
tional protection to people. Labor,
he said, is not against the State
Police, but only some of it's leaders.
John Thomas Davis, Indiana, in
whose county some attempts at dis
turbances were made a few days ago,
said that If it had not been for State
policemen "being on the job" there
would have been blood shed in Indi-
ana mining districts. The House,
he said, should show that it stands
for maintenance of law and order
and safeguarding of homes.
Mr.. Ramsey, Delaware, said the
Governor urged the increase of po-
lice just as a mayor would ask for
more officers. If the increase in Of
hcers was needed only to run down
automobiles thieves, it should be
granted, he declared, amid consid-
cradle applause. After referring to
the bomb outrage at Chester, Mr..
Ramsey said that the State wanted
more policemen and the Governor
has directly asked for them.
Mr.. Hess, Lancaster, said legisla-
tors could appreciate the abnormal
conditions when they saw the Capi-
tol had only one door open and de-
clared there was q Statewide de-
mand for the bill.
Mr.. Helt, Northum berland, said
that possibly State officials misap-
pretended the conditions and that
If labor was ever needed to put down
a Bolshevik riot, it would be done
effectively. He made the last speech
on the bill.
The Wilson Bill
The Wilson bill repeating the non
partisan elective feature of the Clark
third-class city act, was passed by
10 ayes to rs noes.
Two weeks ago the bill was de-
feated by a decisive majority, but
reconsidered last Monday, Allegheny
county members led the fight for
passage of the bill and crossed
swords with members from Butler
and Lawrence.
The Dauphin and Cumberland
members voted for the bill, which
goes to the Senate.
In opening the debate, Mr.. Wal
lace, Lawrence, said so many bills
were being called administration
measures" without the Governor
''iio eeiAS NhAA0 dbOuI
it was becoming joke. When ques-
toned by Mr.. Wilson, the Lawrence
member said the Governor had twice
been quoted as saying he was not
back of the bill and had told him
he did not want the bill to reach
his desk.
Mr.. Dithrich, Allegheny, said that
he thought the Governor could speak
for himself and remarked that some
people were coming here and form
ing organizations for legislation, who
seemed to be very busy.
Mr.. Woner, Butler, said that the
bills was destructive legislation
and was laughed at, whereupon Mr..
Wallace asked that he be given a
respectful hearing.
THE gentleman seems to be able
to take care of himself" ruled the
speaker.
The Butler member said Senator
Penrose had been quoted as favoring
nonpartisan government and became
involved in a controversy with Mr..
Simpson. Allegheny. on party regu-
larity. The latter said the bill was
not a step backward, but to correct
an error"
A motion for the previous question
ended the debate.