Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-03-07
HIGHWAY LEGISLATION
ATTEMPTS FALI SHORT.

ATTEMPTS FALL SHORT.
Although the disclosure Of inefficiency
in the highway department caused stir
In the Assembly very little road legis-
lation was enacted, although several at
tempts were made.
One OF the principal measures affecting
highways passed by the Assembly is an
amendment TO the county unit road law
to provide that roads may be built on
petition of 80 taxpayers, Of whom fifteen
must be from each Of a majority of the
townships IN the county The present
Jaw provides that roads may be con-
structed on petition of any fifty taxpay-
ers. The amendment is one of the amend
ments which mysteriOusly disappeared
at the last regular session.
The highway commission was given
more leaway in the construction Of roads
by bill which provides it may pay
contractors 90 per cent instead of 50 per
cent OF the cost Of roads before they are
completed, and that IL may pay for each
mile Of road as II is completed.
The Assembly did not Ak the State
highway levy. 1t left this to n com
mittee composed Of the Governor, the
State tax board and the Auditor Of State
Governor McCray said the levy probably
would be fixed at cents. This IL far
from the hope Of the highway comuils-
sion. A bin was introduced at the ODen-
ing Of the session that the department
be granted a 20 cent levy, but It was
not acted on. l. II. Wright, director of the
commission, in attempting to explain the
state board Of accounts reports II gross
extravaganza in the department, tod
members OF the Legislature that the
commission must have at least 10-tent
levy. The present levy. as fixed hy the
tax board under authority 1t assumed,
is 80 cents. In addition to this the
commission receives all proceeds of au-
tomObile licenses and the State inhe-i-
lance tax. An Unsuccessful attempt was
made to transfer the latter tax, amount
Ing TO about 5000 900 a year, to the gan-
eral fund.
The notorious extravaganza Of the com
mission brought one attempt to bring
about its adjustment Senator James }.
NeJdl Whiting, introduced a bill calling
for its adjustment but it was never re-
ported out Of committee. An attempt to
amend the county unit law so as to null
lily its provisions also failed.
REVISION OF
CONSTITUTION.
Indlana's constitution, to a large ex-
tent, will he rewritten If the people of
the State favor the amendments adopted
by both the 1919 session and the 1927
session. A bill was expected to be acted
on in the House today fixing Sept. as
the date for a special election when the
amendments will be submitted to the
people.
b The amendments in substance follow:
Requiring voters to be citizens of the
United States and extending fun suf-
frage to women.
Providing that the Legislature may
classify counties for registration pur-
poses.
Providing that the number of voters
in State may be determined by vote cast
for Secretary of State instead of by
enumeration.
Providing that the Governor may veto
separate sections Of appropriation bills.
Providing that the terms of State eOf1-
GERS shall be four years instead Of two
years.
Providing that terms of county officers
shall be four years instead of two years.
Providing that terms of prosecuting at
torneys shall be four years instead Of
two years.
Providing that the Assembly may pre-
scribe qualifications for persons admitted
to the bar.
browning LudL Ine GenefRI ASSEMBLY
may prescribe the system of taxation.
Providing that a State income tax may
be levied.
Providing that negroes may be ad-
mitted to tho militia.
Providing that the term of an Office
may not be extended nor sall%y increased
during any term.
One more amendment is pending which
has passed the Senate and may pass
the House 1t makes the office of State
Superintendent Of Public instruction APP
pointlve instead Of elective. This Is
remnant of the Goodrich scheme of cen
tralization. Another echo Of that scheme,
an amendment making the office of clerk
of the Supreme Court appointive failed
Another amendment which failed would
have made the constitution easier to
amend. An amendment providing for the
establishment of the budget system was
not pushed on the ground that this sys-
tenn can be created by statutory enact
ment.
WELFARE
Probably the greatest blow sustained
by those individuals and organizations