The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-02-15
OKLAHOMA SENATE PASSED
SOLDIER RELlEF BILL WITH
But -FOUR DISSENTING VOTES

Continued from page II
hush OF expectancy. 1t was followed
by Applause. the Intensity VI which
was almost hystericsl. And before the
effecS had worn off. the vote was
taken, end the senate passed the hos
pital bnl with only four dissenting
votes. Announcement OF the vote and
Of the success Of the emergency pro-
vision was the signal for further ap-
plause.
The hospital bill occupied most of
the senates working time yesterday.
Both houses curtailed their activity
cut Of respect for the memory OF Tom
b. Ferguson, former territorial gov
trnor Of Oklahoma. who had died that
daY. The house adjourned few
nutes after being called to order.
IL the senate postponed adjourn
nj until It had disposed Of the
lltal bill.
ais bill was hurried through, with
question, and Republican criti-
was directed at this haste. The
Topriations committee reported
terday the ball do pass as amend
ID. The senate then voted To con-
sider the measure az once Senator
Davidson moved it be advanced. Sem
ator Fleming moved, as substitute,
that the bill be passed over for the
day and De printed. Senator Johnson
chairman OF the committee on hos
pitais and corrections, moved Flem-
ing's motion be tabled. Roy Harvey.
Republican, started to make a speech
but was shut Off by a point OF order
20 the effect a motion to table is
not debatable. The senate proceeded
10 table Fleming's motion.
Senator Wells, Republican, propos-
ed an amendment to make the ap-
propriation one million instead of $780,
1000. Senators Davidson and Nichols
opposed the amendment. saying the
original appropriation was enough,
The amendment failed of adoption
Senator Woods of Claremore offer
ed an amendment consisting Of an
,sdditional section which provided that
the hospital it should be operated by
the state under the same management
Is the university hospital. Friends of
jehe bill said the amendment was ac-
ceptabe and it was adopted. The
5bih then was advanced TO engross-
.meht and third reading. On motion
OF Senator Davidson, the rules were
suspended, and the measure was
placed on third reading and final pas
sage.
Each side Of the question was given
a half-hour to debate. Joe Fleming
was the first speaker against the bill.
He declared the senate was setting
bad precedent by voting an ap-
prooriation of nearly a million dol
lars without having copies of the bill
printed so the senate members could
he sure what all its provisions were.
He predicted this action would be
regretted. He said IL practically shut
off both debate and the right 10
amend the bill. Fleming said he
realized he would be criticised for
saying what he thought should be
said. He declared himself in favor
OF giving all relief TO disabled sold
iers that should be given. but insisted
he wanted TO see what he was doing.
He also asserted the appropriation
was not necessary; that the university
hospital could be taken over at once
for soldiers He hintei that the sen,
ate Democrats were trying ito play
politics with the lower house by rush
Jog tolls bill through yesterday.
na- Ilat.
tor from oklahoma county, an over
seas veteran, spoke in favor of the
measure. He denied II was politi-
cal move. 1t is not question OF
sentiment" he said. but one OF cold
plooded duty" He wound up a
relation Of scenes o. suffering he
mad seen on the battle-fields or
and sick service men and women.
Senator Harvey, Republican from
Perry. spoke against the bill, although
admitting that TO 10 so might mean
POLITICAL oblivion. He also declared ne
was moi opposed 10 Legislation TO aid
ex-soldlers He asserted the question
was not whether the soldiers deserve
them, but how II will help them. He
said lie was member Of the eos
pIg0s committee but had not been
notified ot committee meetings 10 con-
slder the bill. He charged that many
fehators we're willing 10 vote for the
measure without studying II merely
because OF the pressure OF public
-af- Il ~
10 influence the senate. as he realiz-
81 the cards already were stacked
against him.
SIator Johnson said the meetings Of
the committee Of which he Is chair
man had been announced, both from
he flosr oi the senate and by writ
zen notices. Ia answer the charge
that the bill was being rushed through,
nc Asserted rhc legislature had been
here SIX weeks am1 had done nothing
ye; 10 help the soldiers.
Emator Golobie OF Guthrie, RepUb-
Tcsr, made q short speech whose ep-
'lNrent purpose was to defend from
criticism Republican senators who
might vote against the bill. while Civ.
ms the impression Shst he. himself
would vote fOr it-as he did when
lie time came.
Senator Sherman, Republican floor
leader. explained thst be was for the
previous bill spproprating $50 900 ia
~aks ready the Citation sonhorium for
.tseereuiar soldiers. but voted agains,
II because the appropriation was rails.
~ 10 s2oe oos He urged the neces.
atty for Immediate relief measures, In,
stead % program thas woui1 be Q
year Ans a half IN fuitilment. IA.
said that before the permanent sospi
ra contemplated In the bill undel
diseussion was completed haf the sold