Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-02-28
BOTH HOUSES
UNDER LASH TO
CLEAR DECKS
Last Week of Legislative Ses-
sion Opens With Mass of
Unfinished Work.
MORAY BILLS FOREMOST

When the Legislature convened today
It settled down to work under the ad-
ministration lash with a determination
to clear away the mass of accumulated
legislation before sine die adjournment
next Monday night
The Senate, with only ten House bills
on third reading and six on second read
ing and with all of its own bills due
for second and third reading cleared
away, was in far the best position. The
Senate is also prepared to make greater
speed because of cloture rule limiting
debate to five minutes, adopted Satur-
day afternoon. Similar action is ex-
pected to be taken in the House, how
ever, and night sessions will be the
rule the greater part Of the week.
Fear is being expressed by leaders that
the slow progress Of pending bills in
the House will result IN a last minute
jam in the Senate because it will be i'm
possible to have many of the measures
enrolled in time for proper cOnsidera-
ticn.
CENTER EFFORTS ON
McCRAY MEASURE.
Administration leaders are centering
their efforts toward steering through the
MORAY bills, the majority of which are
still in various stages Of enactment. Only
two measures sponsored by the admin
istration, one making the board of agri-
culture a department Of State, and the
one authorizing the transfer of the JEFF
fersonville RefOrmatory to Putnamville,
have been presented to the Governor for
hts signature.
In addition to that only one Of the
three appropriation bills, which call for
an aggregate expenditure Of $4,000, OO0
have been passed. The regular apprO-
priatiOn bill has been signed by the
Governor, but the specific and deficiency
biIls are awaiting final action in the
Senate. The leaders are especially anx-
1ous to avoid last minute jam On these
measures.
The administration tax bill, giving the
Governor, the Auditor and the State
board of tax commissioners power TO tx
all State Ievies, has passed the House
and is awaiting action in the Senate.
Only one Of the legislative reapportion-
ment bills has been definitely passed.
The one affecting Representatives was
sent to the Governor Saturday, but the
Senate is still tied up over It's own sp-
portionment bin, which has been passed
by the House.
The bill calling for T-cent levy for
the common school fund has left the
House and is awaiting action in the Sen.
ate. It is being backed by the State
board of education, although the latter
body first asked for a 20-cent levy.
The House must still act upon the ad-
ministration budget bill, which was
passed by the Senate early last week. It
is regarded as one Of the most important
on the McCray list.
House bill 1S4. which provides for a
highway road patrol and which is be-
ing packed by Governor McCray. is in
fha
House
RILEY MEMORIAL
HOSPITAL BILL RESTS.
The bill proposing the erection Of
Riley memorial hospital IN indianapolis
is still resting in the House and there
are some fears that It will never be
brought out. similar fate is expected
to meet the Rats bill, which would give
families Of prisoners held in Michigan
City a portion Of the inmates earnings.
Both the hospital bill and the Rats
bill are favored by Governor McCray.
Senate bill Ill, which is pending In
the House, is expected to come under
Ere before it is finally acted upon. It
provides that school pupils may be
transferred to private schools under Ger
tain restrictions at the expense Of the
township from which they came. 1t al
ready has been accepted by the Senate,
but is meeting considerable opposition
IN the House.
To all intents and purposes the effort
to create a state constabulary is dead
1t was sqeezed out when the Senate ac-
cepted the Rats bill, giving county
sheriffs the power to employ deputies at
the expense OF the county. The meas
ure, which is opposed by organized labor,
has been advanced to second reading
IN the House. The lower body also has
advanced the anti-picketing bill, which
IS being fought by labor.
OTHER BILLS
PENDING.
Other important bills still pending are
the teachers pension measure, which has
passed the Senate; the all-time nurse
bill, which has been recommitted for
amendment in the Senate; the all-time
health officer bill, which IS ready for
third reading in the House; the Sunday
blue law bill, which 10 ready for second
reading In the House; the soldiers bonus
bin, which is still in a House committee;
the city planning and city zoniRg bills,
which were passed by the House; the
city manager and commission bills,
which are pending IN the Senate after
having been accepted by the House, and
the bill proposing that all bond issues
be submitted to a referendum, which
has passed the Senate.