Omaha daily bee., 1919-05-25
Views and Reviews
Work of Constitutional Con-
Ventlon SurveY Committee

generally that the Constitutional convention sur
vey committee on which | am serving by ap-
pointment OF the supreme court is to prepare
and propose new constitution for submission
to the people of Nebraska
Are you gong to write a complete con-
stitution or only amendments to the present
one?"
When do you expect to have your draft of
the constitution ready"
Cant you incorporate provision for a
state publicity department in the constitution
you are preparing?
These are sample questions that indicate
clearly an expectation of something that is not
to be forthcoming
The survey committee has been created by
the law enacted by the recent legislature merely
as an auxiliary to the convention to be chosen
next tall to gather the necessary working ma
terlals in advance with view to expediting the
proceedings. | take it the idea behind it is
that putting FIVE men with requisite clerical as
sistance on the preliminary get-ready job will
save the time OF 100 men on whom as conven-
ton delegates the final task will devolve. And
yet the committee has but limited authority and
specific duty carefully defined in the law: ITO
compile and tabuate information relative to
state constitutions of the different states or of
other constitutional governments and such in
formation as the said committee shall deem per-
tnent to the problems to be dealt with by the
constitutional convention"
l his, according to my understanding, abso-
utely precludes committee from attempt
ing to draft new constitution or even par
tcular amendments to be offered ready-made to
the convention, or to recommend action along
certain lines except as compiling and tabulating
helpful information that may serve to set the
constitutions makers right upon conditions OF
government and administrative practice else
where. While members of the survey commit
tee must have their individual opinions as to
what properly should and should not 20 into a
constitution for the state, and retain the
privilege of asserting them as their personal
opinion or Judgment, they are not authorized to
formulate them officially, or to present them to
the convention unless called upon by that body
for advice.
Be sure, however, that there is plenty for
the survey committee to do by way of prepara-
ton for the convention without overstepping
its limits-in fact, the brief time intervening as
we'll as the limited resources at our disposal,
Will hold US to only the most urgently necessary
work. Fortunately other states have recently
held constitutional conventions, for which SINH
lar survey committees have carried on the pre-
liminares, and their work is available for us so
far as it is adaptable to our uses. For the New
York state constitutional convention a few
years ago, probably the most comprehensive
and also the most costly compilation of consti-
tutlonal data ever gathered was made. The
documents prepared for that occasion make
many large volumes and give all the minute
details of the subjects covered. Massachusetts,
went at it in similar way for the constitutional
convention year ago, but being more limited
IN time. its survey committee restricted its work
to certain topics or problems specially selected
as most pressing for consideration and en-
bodied its treatment of them in series of
pamphlets most convenient for ready reference
A constitutional convention is to be held in
illinois this year simultaneously with ours in
Nebraska, for which similar preparatory work
is to be done, and we should each be able to
have the benefit of what the other may do to
the extent that it may be serviceable in both
states.
Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker has managed to
keep his feet pretty we'll on the ground not
wthstanding all his notable exploits high in
the air While naturally surcharged with vivid
recollection of wonderful experiences encoun-
tered flying over the lines, his demeanor is the
same as OF old before he began climbing on
high and won the American title of ace of
Aces" by the same daredevil dauntlessness that
used to win him his speedway laurels. | had
had an advance copy of his book, Fighting the
Flying Circus" which asked him to autograph.
I'll be glad to-" said he. Truth is this is
the first time have seen the printed volume.
l. he cover design was submitted for my ap-
proval: ! think it's very good. How do you
like it? That Hat-in-the-ring on the back is
just like the one on our machines"
The high-hying captain tells story now
and then that is not in the book.
Il was sitting in little social game not long
ago." he related, with couple of friends. |
dropped out before the showdown.
'Thatll hold you. won't it" asked one of my
companions. Just gaze on my three queens
Not this time was the retort. I've got
you beat. I've got three Rickenbackers.'