The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-01-11
MANY CHANGES
May BE MADE
IN STATUTES
BYASSE|MB|LY.
Bills Are Prepared to Carry
Out Promises of G. @. r.
Platform Social Legisla-
ton is Proposed.
STUDY CHILD WELFARE
(By Associated Press,

sweeping changes in existing sta
tutes, are predicted as a result OF the
seventy-first Indiana general assem-
bly,. which is now in session.
Bills. which were. in the hands Of
members for several days before the
session opened purpose these changes.
Attention is called by the state repub-
Iican committee, which had the bills
printed, that each was prepared by
Senator English, of Indianapolis, and
Representative Harris, of Gary, ito
cover specific promise made to the
people of Indiana in the 1878 repub-
lican state platform.
, The proposals for the creation Of
commissions, dealing with social leg
islation and child labor, probably will
have the widest interest throughout
the state. One is the so-called con-
servatiOn measure and another is to
widen the scope of state authorities
over businesses engaged In loaning Of
money. New state highway legisla-
ton, as we'll as changes in the laws
for registration of voters and in tax
alton of property will be proposed ac-
cording to present plans.
Women on Commission.
The social legislation proposed, pro-
vides that the governor shall appoint
five persons, one of whom shall be
woman, who will constitute the COM
mission on social legislation. The ap-
pointments shall be made within
sixty days after the law takes effect,
while the commission is directed to
convene within ten days afterward, ito
make careful study of social condi-
IN Vy,I ~ -
before November l, 1920, to the gov
ernor, report of it's findings with
recommendations for such legislation,
including housing. employment. sedu-
cation. illiteracy, Americanization.
health, marriage laws. mental defects.
physical defects. and social Insurance
az It deems, essential to- promote Soc
iai well being and to give greater pro-
lection to weaker members of So
ciety." Memfters Of the commission
would be provided with $4,000 appro-
priation, would serve without pay but
would be allowed travelling expenses
according to the bill.
Another commission of five, two
members being women, is proposed in
the bill providing for the study of
child welfare work and codification of
states laws relating to children. "The
whole system of the care of depend
ent, neglected. delinquent and defect
i've children shall be studied,"t reads
the bill, which provides for holding of
public hearings in various parts OF the
state. It's report with recommends
tions is called for in time for proposed
legislation two years hence. Three
thousand dollars would be provided to
meet expeditures, none of which
would be in salaries to commission.
ers. '..
Conservation Body.
"A conservation commission. con-
sisting of four members, no more than
two Of whom shall be adherents of
the same political party. appointed by
the governor. is proposed in one bill
This measu would abolish several
state offices, boards and departments
and incorporate the work done by
these now under the supervision Of
the commission. The commissioners
would serve without pay but would
be allowed travelling and other neces-
sary expenses. If enacted it will be
in force April l. 1919.
Geology. entomology. forestry, lands
and waters, and fish and game would
be the special divisions Of the depart
ment of conservation with a salried
officer appointed to administer the
work of each division, along with the
necessary number of. employees to ef-
fectually carry out the work. The
work of the divisions would be super
vised by director, appointed by the
commission. and paid not to exceed
$4,000 a year salary. He would be
empowered to appoint and remove
for cause chiefs Of divisions and
through the latter employees charged
with the enforcement of the penal pro-
visions of this act" Cooperation with
other departments of the state for the
enforcement OF laws is provided for.
Compensation of chiefs and other en-
ployes would be fixed by the commits
sion.
Rules and regulations, promulgated
by the commission, when approved by
the governor, would have the force
and effect of laws. Violations Of such
provisions would be punishable by
administering fines of from $40 to $500
to which imprisonment in a county
Jail not to exceed thirty days might
be added
This department shall have power
reads the BILL ito investigate. compile
and disseminate information and make
recommendations concerning the nat
ural resources of the state and their
conservation; the drainage and recla-
nation Of lands: food prevention; de-
velopment of water power; culture
and preservation of forests; fish and
game: the preservation Of the soils;
prevention Of waste of mineral re-
sources; prevention OF plant diseases
and pests; and such other questions or
subjects as may be contemplated in
this act
Licenses to hunt and fish would be
issued as at present. Those author
lied to issue licenses would receive
fee Of ten cents for each, while y
remaining receipts would be rem 4
to the department. Appropriate J, OF
Continued on Page Ten