The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-02-07
BIG QUESTIONS
STILL PENDING.
IN ASSEM- bly,
With One Exception All I'm
portant Problems Hang
Over Until Today-Senate
May Consider School Levy.
REVIVE PRIMARY FIGHT

ture when the sessions began last Mon
day were still pending today when ,he
houses convened.
The exception was the bill to abolish
the public service commission which
was killed in the house last week and
strictly speaking this question was not
finally settled because the way was
left open for reconsideration of the
vote.
Another question which it was
thought by some had been disposed of
when the Beardsley bill to amend the
primary law was killed in the senate
a week or SO ago has been revived by
the announcement that Senator Swain
has a new primary bill to repeal the
statewide features of the present law.
The primary question therefore may
come up on committee report in the
house this week but it is probable
there will be another public hearing on
the question. By most persons the re-
vived primary fight is regarded much
more seriously than was the first
skirmish.
Levies May Come Up.
1t is probable also that the senate
tHlo Wcch Will nave up lOI
tion the bill to give the higher educa-
tional institutions five cent tax levy
this measure having gone from the
house to the senate.
There was a possibility also that
some action would be taken before the
end of today's deliberations in the SEN
ate on the bill for a state police force.
Before the sessions convened today
~ of h, ,rt
fear the opposition of organized labor
leaders on this measure
The fact that the bill must carry
a provision for an, appropriation they
said was the most dangerous feature.
They feared this provision might run
afoul the general sentiment for econ
emy that seems to exist among the leg
islators. The bill was scheduled for
a report without recommendation.
Money Problems Up.
In the house this week continua-
tion of the money problems of the
state will be in evidence. The specific
appropriation bill was scheduled for
early introduction and the question of
tax levy for roads also was pending
Bills for removal of the state reforma-
tory and for changing the statutes of
the state board of agriculture also are
pending
But even il most of the important
measures still are pending, it is cor
rect to conclude that no progress has
been made. As will be referred to in
detail later. both houses have used the
Gx on number of unmportant but
unwise measures, some of them of
socialistic tendencies.
State Appropriations.
Then as to the bills providing for
state appropriations: there are a num-
her of complexities that are acting to
hold up these measures. The whole
business of tax levies and appropria-
tions is in such a mixed state that a
great deal of work must be done be-
fore any final action is taken
1t is very we'll understood among
Legislators that the specific appropria-
tion bill might have been introduced
in the house long ago. 1t is also true
that action might have been taken
more promptly on the road levies and
common school levies were it not for
the fact that the legislature is think
ing of making no levies whatever but
of making specific appropriations for
all of these needs and leaving the
matter of the levy with the state tax
board. This plan is thought of be
cause of the likelihood of changing
values in taxable property in the next
two years and the inability therefore
will raise.
May Halt Action.
If it is finally deemed necessary to
on the five-cent levy for ,the higher
educational institutions will be halted
in the senate and bill for a specified
appropriation prepared to take its
place. 1t is this uncertainty as to the
manner in Which the legislature must
proceed on these questions that has
held 10 the specific appropriation bill.
1t is the desire of the legislative lead
ers to get the whole question of levies
and appropriations worked out before
final action is taken on any measure
of the kind.
In relation to the educational levy
question today the opinion seemed to
prevail that the Lake county crowd
mieht be able to get p levy or a specific
aDnronriation for tho state normal
school la-oe enough 10 make possible
the establishment of a branch of the
normal in Lake county.
Trading Possibilities,
Thnre are good many trading poSSi-
l'il'ties in the situation. The poorer
southern counties Of the state hope
that eoodlv promotion Of the money
devoted to common school purposes
nav he trr,od i~tn those counties. N
thie connection Renres Fifield.
cf Like COUNTY. who i crairnlan Of
tho ways ard means committee. is in
p good position TO lend helping hand
TO the poorer counties and thew in turn
being moor in money. hnt rather strong
IN Ieeis1ative representation NAV SEE
f't to helm hinl boost the state normal
school frrd "1"ne.
It was noted 'ast week in the con-
trovor~v eve" III" lew that she'll he
stahlishcd fn~ tho common schools
TIA y great dol cf II was evo' ronort-
- dnrios- +he wool, +hat the doGciarcv
fund for tho ci1 ~f the noor~r counties
r,ieht he ertah'ished at 1a0 per cent
which would raise an amount for the
Continued on Page Ten)