Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-02-11
BIZ a Std1 Correspondent

Harrisburg, Feb. 1i.-Representative
John W. Vickerman, Of Allegheny,
+ leader of the dry" forces in the House,
announced today that no regulatory
legislation on the national prohibition
amendment would be introduced In the
Legislature until after Congress has
acted
Mr. Vickerman said that the enforce
ment legislation would be drastic
enough in its provisions to exclude any
possible loophole for the sale Of intox'-
cants after January /. 1920. Any at
tempts by the liquor people to put
through bill defining an intoxicant as
something more than or per cent
alcohol. the dry" leader said. would
meet with strenuous opposition.
Scott Loses Opening Skirmish
Ware members of the House, under
the floor leadership of former Congress
man John r. X. Scott, made their first
drive last night TO win support from
the big dry" following in the lower
chamber.
Mcidentally, tne rndneuNeI ueNeioPe"
into the first skirmish this session and
resulted in a drubbing for Scott who
lost a fight to recommit for a hearing
the Dithrich bill to give Allegheny
County two additional common pleas
court judges.
The bill, which was on the third read
ing calendar, was called up by its spOn-
sor Representative W. Heber Dithrich,
Of Allegheny. Representative Vickerman
made the motion to recommit the bill
back TO the judiciary General Commit
tee, of which Dithrich is chairman, for
a public hearing
At this point Scott took up the at
tack for the dry" leader. After con-
siderable argument the Vickerman mo-
tfon was defeated by a vote of 1875 to 56
ard then the House passed the bill finally
with but one dissenting vote.
Back OF Scotts move In behalf of the
vickernan mction Is believed to have
been a carefully conceived plan to re-
cruit votes from the "drys' against the
proposed charter revision measures from
Philadelphia
sproul Aids City Charter Plans
One of the first big obstacles in the
way Of the charter revision program was
removed Saturday when Governor Sproul
announced emphatically that he was op-
posed to any scheme TO rip out Of
ONCE the present commission form of
council in Pittsburgh.
The Governors stand blocks any pos
sibility of coalition between the Ware
forces from Philadelphia and the Les
lie forces from Pittsburgh 10 put through
charter bill of their own. applying to
both Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
With the Governor opposed TO any
Bill affecting the Pittsburgh Council the
logical move of the Ware forces was to
seek support from the "drys" who AL
ready are obligated 10 them to some
extent for the Ware votes for the ma
tional prohibition amendment.
The "drys" failed to line UP solidly be-
mind Scott, as did also the Ware forces
from Philadelphia. Many of the Ware
members were pledged TO vote for the
Dithrich bill and five of them voted
against the Vickerman motion.
Those voting against the motion were
Colder. Walker. Conner. Sewers and
Dilsheimer. The Penrose followers in
the House lined up to a man against the
"A Vickerman motion.
Scott. In arguing TO recommit the bill
for hearing. declared that the press OF
IN Pittsburgh was unanimous in the de-
mand for hearing and read newspaper
articles 10 support his contention.
Scott advanced the argument that all
the people of the State were interested
because the State would have to pay the
bill, $4,000 annually, for the salaries OF
the additional Judges.
This bill does not end here" Scott
warned. 1T goes to the Senate and
then to the Governor, who is on trial be.
sore the people of Pennsylvania
~ sPennsyivania has a great Governoi
and no legislation can be sent to his
ehamber besmirched."
Flynn Charges Bad Faith
Representative ]. M. Flynn, of Elk
, Democratic floor leader. came to the aic
Of Dithrich. He charged the Vickermar
motion was not made in good faith
Flynn said the time for hearing ~a-
after the bill passed second reading
ssnd no one knows II better than tn,
xentleman from Philadelphia"
n Flynn said the bill could not b,
!, ,nmended now except by unanimous con
1sent.
# Scott asked Flynn II his memory 'hat
tAot suffered relapse" and said the bill
could be amended by the House resolv
1nr itself into n committee of the whole
-The motive for the denial Of hear
1rs.'s Scott charged. gives a suspicion
that there Is fear OF the merits OF thu
n Representatives Dunn and Glass. o.
r1I3lad ad<Iphia, who said they were pledged
~ oapport the bill Joined the argument
r6~r the <sbats p1thrich charged
&co1f waited the bill reccmmittet
Il unarInI Cornniffee. oj