Omaha daily bee., 1919-04-08
AT TACK ON
CODE BILL.
IS MADE IN.
THE HOUSE
Governor Proposes Measure
to Create ConstabuIary to
Aid in Running Down
Automobile Thieves.
From a Staff Correspondent.


Lincoln, Neb., April 7.-(Special
Telegram. "A crisis in the progress
of the administrative code bill was
precipitated shortly before adjourn
ment of the house tins afternoon
when Mclaughlin moved its in
definite postponment. Lengthy
speeches in favor of the motion were
made by Tracewell and Byrum.
Tracewell asserted that no one,
with the exception of Senator Peter
son, knew the provisions or the ma
ture of the bill.
Tracewell alleged that legislation
has been held up pending the prog
ress of the code bill, adding that it
had been productive of more log
rolling and more railroading than
any other measure that had come be-
fore the house. He warned the men,
bers of the legislature that the peo-
pie of the state would not be patient
ir the event the bill was passed and
members of both houses would be
held responsible.
No Measures Held Up.
Mears contended that no mea-
sures had been held up because of
the code bill. He denied all of
Tracewell's statements.
Byrum stated that the code bill
was a party measure, and that while
the governor denied it was his mea-
sure, the rank and file of the re-
publican party had not been con-
suited as to its provisions. He called
attention to features Of the bill
which he contended were vicious
and would be fatal to effective ad-
ministration of the law. When asked
why he had not suggested amend
ments to cure them, he replied that
it was too late in the day to do this,
as the whole measure would have to
be rewritten.
Byrum made an appeal to the
members OF the house to have a
sense of individual responsibility in
passing on the measure and to con-
slider the bill, not as a party mea-
sure, pledged by the platform, but
as the governors measure-and to
carry out the wishes of the people
and not those of the executive.
No action was taken on the mo-
ton to indefinitely postpone. A mo-
ton to arise and report progress
was carried.
Gives Agents More Power.
A bill to enlarge the powers Of
the state agents for the enforce
ment of the prohibition laws and
give these officials something of
the character of state constab-
ulary. was presented to the house
shortly before adjournment.
The bill is one that was intro
duced by the governor and is en-
titled H. r. 585. 1t has for its pur-
pose the clothing of the governor
with the power to deputize any citi-
zen with the authority to enforce
the laws prohibiting the stealing of
automobiles and motorcycles.
The real purport of the bill is to
extend the powers of the state
agents who ARE enforcing the pro-
hibitory law and to enable Gus
Hyers, as head of the department,
to use the machinery and personnel
of his office in the detection of auto
thieves in Omaha and throughout
the state.
Thieves Banded Together.
1t is alleged in some quarter that
there are conditions existing in the
large cities of the state which pre-
vent vigorous prosecution of auto
mobile thieves, and that they are
banded together. The argument is
advanced that many of the men who
are now engaged in bootlegging on
a wholesale Scale are also engaged
in the business of handling "hot
ones," as stolen automobiles are
called.
1t is also predicted that the effec-
tive enforcement of the prohibitory
law will soon put many of the ad-
ventureous spirits engaged in boot
Logging out of the running because
of the risks and also the coming CO.
operation of the federal government
in enforcing the law The men thus
put out of business will turn to an
easier and more profitable game
and one in which the federal gov
eminent will not take hand, the
business of automobile stealing, it
is said.