The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-01-24
SCHOOL LEVY
DEBATE WILL
Be SPIRITED
Five Cent Tax for State Edu-
cational Institutions Expect
ed to be Subject for Hot
Z Discussion.
PRUNING HOOK READY
Especial Correspondence of the
Richmond Palladium.)

those who wish to see the most legis-
lative activity during this week should
look in on the house.
The subject of absorbing interest in
the house will be that of appropria-
, tions The general appropriation bill
las been introduced and will come up
for discussion in the house early in
the week and the specific appropria-
tion measure also is to be introduced
early in the week
But both of these measures in spite
of the large figures they carry, prob
ably will not cause as much argument
rs will the little bill introduced by
Representative Fifield and providing
for five cent tax levy for the states
educational observation-disclosures Uni
versity. Purdue University and the
State Normal schools.
Consider Amendment.
II was said today to be probable
that an amendment would be introduc
ed to lower this figure to four cents
and there seemed to be some indica-
tion that there might be proposal to
lower it to three cents. And in what
ever form the measure may get
through the house it appears that it
will be a subject for hot discussion in
the senate. The whole situation is
complicated by fight that is being
made by the non-state schools for
help.
Right here it may be said that there
seems to be little sympathy for the
plea of the non-state schools which are
private profit-making institutions. But
nevertheless the fight that is being
made by these schools is not expected
to be of any aid to the state educa-
tional institutions in getting what they
desire.
Urge Economy.
In the senate there is said to be
prevalent spirit of economy. 1t was
started by Lieutenant-Governor
Branch, who in his opening address to
the senate spoke of the need of first
taking care of the states unfortun
ates-which is interpreted to mean
that the first thing to be considered is
the proper amount of money for the
charitable and benevolent institutions
According 10 the gossip, two men
who may take the lead when the
educational appropriation bill reaches
the senate are Senators Hartzell and
Kiper. Both are said to believe that
there is great need for economy in
state affairs. Just what figure either
will propose for the educational levy
is not known
Fix Appropriations.
II is said that in the house the gem
eral and snecific appropriation bills.
both started along the Legislative route
sooner than in any previous session,
may move along very rapidly.
Heretofore when appropriation mea-
sures have been introduced in the
house. it has often been the case that
about the only man who understood
them or was in position to defend
the figures included was the chairman
of the ways and means committee.
But in the present instance Repre-
sentative Fifeld. chairman of this
committee, has sought to avoid this
difficulty. II is said that he might
have introduced the general appropria-
tion measure much sooner than he did
had he not wished to famliariZe a
rumber of senators with its provisions.
The same is true in regard to the
specific bill which is to be presented
this week.
Understand Provisions.
when these bills get to the floor
for discussion" said one member of
the house their provisions will be
understood by all of the members of
the ways and means committee and
possibly by others. The matter of
making q defense will not fall alone
on the shoulders of the chairman of
the committee. And it is my opinion
they will be disposed of much more
rapidly than has been the case in the
past"
In the matter of the bill for the five
cent levy for tine educational institu-
tions which is liable TO cause the hard
est fight on tine floor of the house
Purdue university may nlay leading
part, it is not to be denied that in
~ i, ~
ing against Purdue This is due in
part to the fact that Purdue has a
great deal of power through its county
agents.
Interested in Board.
1t is also understood that. Purdue
interests have been largely concerned
in the fate Of the state board Of agri-
culture and that according to the
PLANS now laid out Purdue will have a
place in the re-created board.
Vt is true also that some of those
who wish to place stress on economi-
cal management in state affairs were
not pleased recently when a plan was
sprung TO give A separate levy of one
cent to the Purdue agricultural expert
ment station and seDarate one-cent
levy to Indiana university. In the first
place the educational ainstitutions de-
sired a seven-cent levy.
Think Purdue Move.
Now it is said that some of those
interested had a hint that only five
rent levy would be recommended and
that the separate one-cent levy pro-
posal was sprung to get by this device
The total desired. Generally the
shrcwdness of originating this plan is
laid at the door of Purdue.
II Is said that the prOposal for a
eo-cent levy for the highway commits
sion and other road proposals may
come to the floor of the house this
week and there is little doubt that the
road question will cause considerable
conflict. 1t is said that with the ex-
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