South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-03-02
HOUSE SPEAKER
ISSUES WARNING
influences Are at Work to
Pass Questionable LegiS-
Iation During the
Closing Hours.

Associated I'FesS Service:
INDIANAPOLIS, March l.
Charges by Speaker Esch0ach that
a com bination has been formed in
the legislature to enact during the
closing days of the list general as
sembly laws that will increase eX-
penditures OF public money marked
the fOur-hour continuous session OF
tho lower house Of the legislature
today.
Prior 10 adjournment being taken
this afternoon until 10 O'Clock Mon
day morning, the speaker said he
had evidence that influences were
at work 10 cause question: BILE leg
islation TO be enacted during the
rush hours of the closing week. He
said an INVESTIGATION is now being
conducted and expressed his inten-
ton 10 take the floor, if necessary.
TO try and prevent passage of such
measures.
The speaker would not discuss
the matter further. Members we're
inclined 10 resard his statement as
being in the nature OF u warning.
The house Monday afternoon will
study the provisions of the specific
appropriation measure. which car
ries a total OF $3.5OO. goo. an amount
double that voted IN 1917.
Passage of IA measures, several
Of which related directly TO patri-
otism. was the important busiE
transacted today. The more impor-
tant bills passed provide for con-
struction of memorial buildings in
honor of those who engegd in war
activities during the world war, for
erection of a monument TO the late
Charles Warren Fairbanks. and for
bolshevism being defined and pun
ished as a crime.
Review the Past Week.
Members, in reviewing the ac-
complishments of the week, which
marked the end of consideration of
house measures, excepting the ap-
preparation bill. pointed to passage
OF the general appropriation meas
ure last Monday, the garnishee bill,
the blue sky measure and the anti
foreign language bill, the last OF
which is now law.
BY a vote of rs to 4 the house
passed the Abrams measure which
would appropriate $40 900 of the
public funds for construction and
erection of a monument TO the late
Charles Warren Fairbanks. Reps.
Barnard and Hamilton, CT South
bend. voted against the bill. The
former fought its passage on the
floor. declaring flowers should be
distributed among the living, not
among the dead" and adding it is
time 10 quit such foolishness." He
argued that the money should be
given eto some institution for un-
! fortunates or inmates and where, he
said, it would do some good. He de-
clared that Indiana already had Civ
} en- the former vice president every
thing it could in the way of honor.
Rep. Walker, of Adams county,
I democrat. pointing to the passage of
the Kessler bill providing for $500
/ being appropriated for u memorial
/ tablet in honor of the Indiana men
! and women who died in the naval
and military service of the nation
during the world war, said the leg
/ stature now proposes TO erect a
Y $4,000 memorial in honor of one
man. He voted fer the bill. Reps.
CAM of Frankfort, Johnson OF Gas
/ City and smith OF Princeton spoke,
urging its passage.
Marion county representatives
: formed the bulwark of opposition
TO the Lafuze bill. passed by a vote
4 of CT TO 10. which provides for me
mortal buildings being erected by
cities or counties, or both, in honO-
OF war workers.
The house adopted a motion by
Rep. Miltenberger calling upon the
senate TO modify its rule whereby
one member could defeat proposed
, legislation by refusing to sign a com
mittee report for passage of any bill.
4 committee OF the house will con-
/ fer with senate leaders and urge the
change be made. House members
expressed their bitter resentment at
adoption of such a rule by which
many house bills have been or are
slated to be killed in the senate.