Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-04-29
STATE POLICE
BILL DEFEATED
Labor, Third Class City and
Rural Members Beat the
Powell Bill

The bill adding one troop to the
State Police and giving it the duties
of the fire marshal, as we'll as estab-
fishing bureau of criminal records,
was defeated in the House of Repre-
sentatives by 113 macs to 50 ayes.
The bill abolishing the fire marshals
department was passed last week.
Labor representatives led the fight
against the bill. Messrs. Fowler,
Lackawanna, and Mcintyre, Fayette,
speaking against it. Legislative
leagues lined up with the labor and
rural members. Dauphin men all
voted no"
The Lackawanna member said
the Police were created in 1906 be-
cause militia were too friendly dur
ing strikes and that the increase In
| 1917 was voted because of the war.
| Pennsylvania, he contended, was
peaceful and the addition to the
| force was not needed. He also
assailed the volunteer police and
anti-sedition bills. which he said
were part of a plan to "militarize"
/ tho State.
| Mr. Powell. Luzerne, sponsor for
the bill, said he scame from the
strongest union town in Pennsyl-
vania and that organized labor was
not opposed to the bill. Mr.. McTn-
tyre challenged this statement and
| Mr.. Powell replied that his course in
/ 1917 had been made an issue against
him in his district and he had won.
Mr.. Mcintyre retorted that organ
lied labor was against the bill, but
Mr.. Powell said he thought not
The Luzerne member said he felt
sure labor needed not be alarm ed
and that the Governor would always
be fair.
The State Art Commission bill, an
administration measure. was passed
1S1 to 2. Immediately afterwards
Back On Calendar
The Wilson bill repeating the
nonpartisan feature of the third
class >city code. defeated last Mon
day, was reconsidered and put back
on the calendar in the House after
n brief debate. The motion was
made by Mr.. Skunk, Erie, and OPP
posed by Mr.. Wallace. Lawrence
who had a tilt with Mr.. Simpson
Allegheny. who urged the motion on
the ground that members had heard
from their constituents while home
over the weekend and thought an
error had been made in defeating
the bill. Mr.. Wallace said sentiment
in the third-class cities was against
! the repeal and that a few years age
i the Legislature had refused to re-
peal the Second-class city nonparti-
san law. Mr.. Wallace also said he
ana not think sentiment on the Will
son bill had changed in a week.
The bill was put back on the cal.
ehuar by viva Voce vote and then
postponed.
provisions for increases of salaries
Tor Janitors and other school en-
ploEes, exclusive of teachers, were
stricken from the Woodruff bill or
motlon of the sponsor. after an
nours debate. Mr.. Sterling, Phila.
delphla, who opposed the change
immedlateiy presented a bill provid.
ing increases in salaries for sucI
persons to 20 per cent where the,
received less than 500 a month anG
making scale for others.
Mr.. Sterling said the extra paN
FOR the classes would take only
100000.
Alr. Sterling pleaded that such per-
sons were as entitled to an advance
as teachers, which was opposed bN
Messrs. Sarig, Berks, and Martin
Allegheny, who are teachers. and
MesSrs Woodruff, Snyder, and Will
lamsS Tioga. More than 1874 mem
bers voted to cut out the provisions
Mr.. Martin then moved to add rec.
oGnition for what are known as city
normal schools. but withdrew it.
The bill then passed second reading
Sewers Has Joke
a resolution to refer the Brady
registration bill for Philadelphia to
a rpecial committee. composed of all
the Philadelphia members for a
| hearing, was presented by Mr.
Sewers. Philadelphia, but laid over
for printing.
The House recommitted the anti
vaccination bill and the Catlin Sen
ate bill relative to removal of coal
under cemeteries. Mr.. Fowler Lack