Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-02-19
STATE HIGHWAYS
BMLUPn HOUSE
Senate Measure, Backed by
Administration, Has
First Reading
MORE PAY TO MEMBERS
Increase of Legislators Sal
aries to $25OO Asked by Dem
ocratic Representative
BIZ a Star Correspon dent

By a Std6 Correspondent
Harrisburg, Feb. 19.-Speedy consider
alton of the Eyre Senate bill to reorgan-
ise the state Highway Department was
asked this morning when the bill was re-
ported out in the House.
Representative Williams. Tioga. chair
man of the House Committee on Roads,
IN reporting the measure out, said that
time was big factor. He declared the
Governor and the Highway Commits
sioner were desirous OF its speedy pas
sage.
On motion of Mr. williams the bill
was given first reading. This bill is the
first Of the administration measures to
come before the Legislature.
Determined opposition has developed
to the bill introduced by Representative
Skunk. of Erie. to permit the Public
Service Commission to suspend new rates
announced by public utility corporations
pending a hearing and decision on the
question.
Under the present law the new rates
are in effect while the matter is pending
before the service commission. II the
commission decides against the utility
concern 1t Is then required TO make a
return of the increases collected.
Railroad and transit interests are said
to be back of the opposition to the bill.
To Increase Lawmakers' Salaries
Representative West, of Montour. in
troduced his bill today to fix the salary
OF members of the General Assembly at
s2Soo.
The bill also increases the mileage
compensation to and from the members
homes from twenty to thirty cents a
mile.
Strong hopes are being entertained by
the lawmakers that the biennial attempt
to raise the salaries of members of the
House and Senate may be successful
this time
Their hopes were buoyed up consider
ably by a hint which Lieutenant Gov
ernor Beidleman dropped last night while
speaking at a reception rendered Gov
ernor Sproul and the members of the
Legislature by the Harrisburg Chamber
Of Commerce.
The Lieutenant Governor presided at
the reception and made the reference
which caused the hope eternal' to
spring In the bosoms Of the lawmakers
when he introduced Governor SprouL
Declaring that Harrisburg considered
the members part of its cftizenry. the
Lieutenant Governor said he wished
they could remain here always instead
of dropping in" every two years for
a few months.
Lieutenant Governors Hint
II know that the salaries begin to
run low about the middle OF March,"
he added, "and are gone entirely by the
first of April. but the Governor is will
ing to aid those who will come here in |
the future"
The fact that Governor Sproul did |
not touch on the reference In his re- |
marks did not dampen the hopes of the |
legislators
Leaders in the House said there was
no doubt a bill to increase the present
salary Of legislators from $500 TO
$500 or $4,000. II passed, will receive
the approval OF Governor Sproul.
While Republican leaders have an
nounced their disapproval Of salary
raises In general. there is said to be a
disposition to favor an increase for the
legislators, because the present emolu-
ment OF $500 is declared to be made
quate.
No Extra Pay In Special Session
II the West bill goes through it prob
ably will carry a proviso that they serve
during any special session without
extra compensation. Five hundred dol |
lars 10 the compensation provided now
for a special session.
Two years ago a bill to increase the
salaries to $4,000 was defeated in the
House. Representative West, who in
troduced the salary-raising bill today.
IL q Democrat 1t Is understood that
any successful measure along that line
must be sponsored from the Republican
side.
Governor Sproul. in his remarks last
night. announced to the people of
Harrisburg that the present administra- |
ton planned to centralize the state gov
ermnent in Harrisburg by erecting
buildings to house many departments |
now scattered over the state.
The Governor declared Harrisburg |
should do its part by improving hous- !
Ing conditions and erecting new city |
ana county buildings to replace the |
present antiquated structures.