Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-04-12
Peeit;ca IL
Pe~~e4eso~io
By the Ex- Committeeman

Except for the eternal discussion
OF the Philadelphia situation, poll
tics in Pennsylvania has Joined in
the master vacation of the Legisla
ture and members of the two Houses
are at their homes preparing for
the wind up of the General Assembly
which it is now expected will be
delayed at least one week beyond
May Is as a result of the recess.
Some of the legislators have been
1ustifying the recess as convent
ence which enables them to catch
up with affairs at home, but some
unfavorable newspaper comment is
heard.
When the legislators return to
Harrisburg, there will be consider
able action, no less than half Il
dozen big hearings are scheduled for
April %, including the conference
on the compensation amendments,
but there will not be many after
that time, as the majority of the
big legislation has been threshed
out in the newspapers and little
more can be gained by yards OF pub
licity. Legislators are commencing
to call for action and disposal of
the numerous bills which are clut-
tering calendars and committee lists
The policy of passing bills along
to the Senate is not meeting with
as much favor as formerly.
From all accounts, Governor
William c. Sproul is improving nice
ly at Hot Springs, but is not giving
any attention to State affairs. He
indicated what he was going to do
with the numerous bills in his hands
and the Legislature will be notified
in due season. Meanwhile appoint
ments and other matters are held up.
More copies of the legislative bills
to consolidate the State Game, Fish
cries, Water Supply and Forestry
Departments into a proposed De-
partment of Conservation and pro-
viding for a State fishermen's license
have been sent out from the Capitol
the last few days than any other
measures. Interest in these two lines
of activity has taken the place of
all the game and fish bills which
have been presented and which
would change the two codes so that
they could scarcely be recognized.
While these measures are being con-
sidered, the committees will get to-
gether on amendments to the exist
ing laws, which will be rather few
and about as outlined from time
to time.
The fishermen's license bill will
be considered in the House after
Easter recess and it is believed that
it will go through. as strong repre-
sentations as to necessity of provid-
in ~
of the fisheries officials have been
made and some of the men who
lined up against the bill through
uncertainty about powers, have
changed their minds. Meanwhile,
the fisheries authorities are going
ahead with their plans for big ad-
ditions to hatcheries and for the
most extensive fish stocking pro-
gram ever known. Commissioner
of Fisheries n. r. Butler says that
the State can furnish the fish if the
money is provided.
The Conservation bin is going
to have some rough shedding.
1t is understood that the Wal
lace third class code amendment bill
was recalled from the Governor, in
accordance with action just an
nounced, so that changes could be
ries. A number of other matters
are said to be booked for adjust
ment. There are over a score of
changes in administrative matters
in the BILL which was drafted by
city solicitors and representatives of
the third class city league.
One of the odd changes made
to bill on the calendar is that
the penalty was taken out of the
Stadtlander bill giving preference to
returned soldiers, sailors and ma
rines in making appointments to
places in the State Government and
on public works. This bill was
amended while in the House Judi
ciary General Committee.
The Dawson bill regulating
elections in third class cities is out
of the Municipal Corporations Com
mittee. If passed it would prevent
any elections of councilmen this
year, putting off such elections until
1921 when every third class city
would elect two men for two years
and two for four years, the candi-
dates polling the two highest votes
to get the long terms. In 1923 and
thereafter biennially two council
men would be elected for the full