The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-01-15
Home RULE
IS FAVORED
BY SoLONS
No Strong Opposition to Mea-
sure Has Developed, Says
Senator McConaha - May
Introduce Next Week.
KNAPP MAY PRESENT

No strong opposition to the proposed
home rule bill which is to be intro
duced in the Indiana state legislature
has developed, according to Senator
Walter McConaha, senator from
Wayne county, who was in Richmond
Saturday.
He stated that in talking with var.
1ous members of the senate, virtually
all ne had broached the subject to,
were faVorably inclined towards the
Dill. He said the bill probably would
be introduced in the house next week
and according to information available
to him it would be reported out ia.
vorably
Knapp May Present.
am informed that Representative
Knapp probably will introduce the
bill, since Representative Southard has
become ill. He is a good man to
handle it as he is in touch with
some of the best men in the house to
put the proposed measure across" he
said.
Rep. Knapp, Of Hagerstown has al
ready taken a strong stand in favor
of the bill. He also is a member of
the committee on cities and towns
Rep. Miltenberger, of Muncie, is chair
man OF this committee, and he is
supposed to be favorably inclined to-
wards home rule. This would vir-
tually insure a favorable report from
the committee
Mr.. Knapp has been Ill at his home
in Hagerstown for the past few days.
Word from him received Saturday
stated he expected to be able to re-
turn to Indianapolis Monday for the
purpose of introducing the home rule
bill in the house of representatives.
Senator McConaha has been appoint
ed chairman of the fees and salaries
committee. This is an important post
because of it's dealings with all offic.
ials salaries in the state.
Sentiment in the legislature is
against any considerable raise in sal.
aries for state or county officials"
Mr.. McConaha declared.
Increases Few.
Efforts to get back to a normal
status in state affairs is being made in
the session thus far, and the trend to
normalcy in living is such as to make
it seem probable that increases or
changes will be few during this ses-
sion"
Mr.. McConaha Is opposed to special
bills which are passed for the benefit
of certain towns or communities. He
stated that these bills generally serv-
ed to help one town only and worked
a hardship on many others. This re
ferred particularly to passing bills to
benefit towns of a certain class based
on population.
Better Personnel Seen.
The personnel of the present legisla-
ture is made up of men of much bet.
ter character than has been the case
during the past few sessions. accord.
ing to the senator. Twenty-three new
faces are in the senate chamber and
among these are some of the most
successful business and professional
men of the state. it was stated. This
" ould indicate that some excellent
business legislation is to be enacted.
Mr.. McConaha stated that most OF
them were inexperienced in legislative
procedure, however, and that they
would have to become acclimated.
Thus far the state body has been oc-
cupied with organization and it is ex-
pected to get underway with the reg
ular business beginning next week, ac-
cording to the Richmond senator. Mr.
McConaha will return to Indianapolis
Sunday evening.