South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-07-26
CALL REPUBLICAN
SESSION A TRICK
TO SECURE VOTES
The Observation-Disclosures
Combination Hits Snag
at indianapolis.

INDIANAPOLIS, July 25.-One Of
the most famous straddles in the
legislation annals of Indiana is be-
ing attempted by the Watson Me
Gray Goodrich machine which Is in
complete control of the republican
joritv in the special assembly ses-
sion. The problem that the mani
puiators are endeavoring to solve
is how 10 extricate the Goodrich adj
niinistration from the taxation mud
die and at the same time place the
party in a position TO appeal for
votes this fall.
IL is being openly chargcd-and
thus far has not been cOntradicted
by the administration spokesmen-
that the sole object of the special
session is designed with an eye on
November. regardless of beneficial
legislation.
senate vs.. House.
The straddle Is being worked by
playing the Senate against the
House in the hope that the attend
ant publicity given the so-called di-
vcrging views will lead the public
10 believe that the republicans are
actually repudlatinS Goodrichism
and are following out the c.. q. =.
platform pledges.
one of the best instances of this
is illustrated by the Tuthill bill
passed by the house and tho sub
Stitute kipor measure favored in
the senate. TIL essential feature of
the Tuthill bill legalizes the hori-
zOntal increases ordered by the state
board of tax commissioners and
which were declared invalid By the
supreme court. The iegllization
measure was opposed by the Indiana
~ 81 nd
number of other citizens. but Il was
an administration measure bearing
the cndOI sCment of Watson and Nc
Cray anG was pushed through by
Speaker Jesse EschbaCh when Good
rich cracked the whip.
The senate then took uD the
Kipcr substitute which in principle
employees the tern. 'validation" in
stead OF "legalization" and il was
announced that il was n compromise
between the law favored by the
Farmers federation and the Tuthill
bill. II is asserted by experts who
are watching the procedure that
both measures are substantially the
same in import
Farmers Dissatisfied.
Widc spread publicity was given
10 the claim that the farmers bill
was Incorporated in the senate sub
gtitute. The real facts are that the
executive committee OF the fedora
tion was evenly divided on the senate
mendations they made 10 the senate
and that few OF the items desired
by the farmers are included in the
kiper substitute. II is charged
that the pending measure as now
framed bears little resemblance 10
that favored by the farmers.
The Johnson House bill. which
was advertised by the republicans
as a liquidation OF the platform
promise TO restore bond issues AMI
levy control 10 local taxing units.
is declared 10 be n neat piece OF
administration camouflage designed
10 give the state board OF tax com
missioners even greater powers than
they have previously enjoyed.
May Appeal.
II gives fifteen tax payers the
risht 10 appeal any action taken by
local taxing authorities To the state
board. II Is claimed by the oppon-
ents OF the measure that the appeal
provision makes IL possible for the
administration, through its system
Of control 10 carry every taxation
levy and bond issue project up TO
the board. In other words those
who oppose Il. declare that IL is 4
direct repudiation OF the republican
platform and shows Conciusively
that the party now in control docs
not intend tc relinquish any OF the
arbitrary powers II has heretofore
exercise u.
Another feature Of the Johnson
bill which has been iobbied for bv
the forces of WatsoR and McCrtN.
is the fact that it excmpts from tax
/ alton bonds issues for disposal
CONTINUED on PAGE THREEl