The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram., 1921-02-08
PICTURESQUE
FIGHT IS NEAR
ON PRIMARY
Although Not Showing on
Surface, Repeal of Direct
Voting Takes Center Of
Stage Tuesday.
ALL LOOK TO M'CRAY
BY PALLADIUM CORRESPONDENT

BY PALLADIUM CORRESPONDENT
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, Feb. 8.-Al-
though it does not appear on the sur
face in legislative action the question
of the repeal of the statewide fea-
lures of the direct primary today took
the center of the stage in the legisla-
tive gossip and about every legislator,
lobbyist or railbird encountered had
some sort of ~theory as to how the
muchtalked-of new bill would make it's
appearance and what would happen to
it after it appeared.
1t is realized by all that the new
fight is going to be much more pic
turesque than the first fight which re-
suited in the death of the Beardsley
bill to amend the primary. Scores of
petitions on both sides of the question
from all parts OF the state are ex-
pected and undoubtedly the champions
of the primary and those opposed to it
will come to indianapolis in great
numbers.
1t seems to be the general opinion
that the new bill will be presented in
the house and there are two channels
through which it may come. 1t may
be introduced as an entirely new bill
or 1t may be presented to the house
elections committee as a substitute for
the Willis primary bill which is al
ready in the hands of that committee
Favor Latter Course.
Most Legislators appeared to believe
today that the latter course would be
the one chosen because in that way
there will be quicker action. 1t is the
understanding that those who wish to
anoon1 hn lov xryn1,lI lilo n
push the issue through as rapidly as
possible. They realize it is said that
the more time that intervenes the
more time the opponents of the bill
will have to sound the cry of protec-
ton of the peoples rights. They real
ize that the talking point in favor OF
direct action by the people is good
one
Friends of the bill also will make
much of the proposal that voting ma
chimes shall be used in casting ballots
in state conventions while the opposi
ton will contend that most of the
trading and dealing is done in the
counties and that the voting machine
Will merely offer an opportunity for
secret voting. The chairman of the
house elections committee which will
have charge of any primary bill that is
introduced in the house is Represent,
ative Noll, of Indianapolis. and it is
understood that he is favorable to the
amendment of the primary law along
the lines proposed.
NoIi.McCray Friendly.
1t is said also that Mr.. Noll is on
very friendly terms with Governor Nc
Cray, who soon after he was elected
recommended action on the primary
questions. There is no detailed infor-
nation on the other members of the
committee but some of the legislators
wish to amend the primary law, or at
least will stand in favor Of amending
it, were saying today that the cleo
tions committee is "all right
Generally it was believed the COM
mlttee would make a majority report
in favor of a bill to amend the law al
though it might not be a unanimous
report. The other members Of the COM
mittee are: 'Overmeyer, Dean, Hare,
Hughes, Jinrett, Nares, Mann, Hum
1ichhouser, Beyler. Hansell, Johnson
of Monroe and Erni.
Fear McCray's Pressure.
It is true that a good many of the
influential men connected with the Re
publican state organization are inter
eSting themselves in the proposal to
amend the primary law but this pres
sure is not feared nearly so much by
the pro-primary men as is the pressure
that Governor McCray may be able to
exert In fact it is believed by a great
many that the kind of action that is
finally taken on the primary question
will depend largely on what Governor
McCray does. 1t is pretty we'll known
that the primary bill was pending in
he passed out at that time went out
too late to have much effect on the
fate Of the bill.
Outside forces that seek to amend
the primary law are much more active
now than they were when the Boards
ley bill was under consideration. In
fact the fight for the Beardsley bill
was made largely within the senate
and the ease with which that measure
was killed or the vote which was &c
to q against it should not be taken as
any indication of what may happen
when a new bill is brought up.
Several Considerations.
IF the primary fight after it starts in
the house reaches the senate, and there
are many who think it will get there,
then several things must be taken into
consideration. One Of the most import
ant questions is will the Democratic
senator's who voted against the Boards
lev bill stand pat when the question
comes up again." There are nine
Democratic senators and when the
Beard sley bill fight was made all eX-
cept Hepler and one who was absent
voted with the pro-primary Repub-
licans.
The leadership Of Senator Nejdl
also must be taken into consideration.
Nejdl is an expert parliamentarian and
1t is recognized by those who have OBJ
served the senate proceedings that
from the first day OF the session he
has been building up an organization.
In a number Of instances he has gone
to tho aid of various senators and in
that way has formed number of al
liances that may prove effective.
Nejdi Fearless.
It Is remarked also that the stand
Governor McCtav may take will not
affect Neidl 1t is recalled that in the
snecisl session he oDnosed Governor
Goodrich and at a night session took
occasion 10 make long speech in
(ContiDued on page TWC1