South Bend news-times., 1922-12-14
MUNICIPAL LEAGUE
TO PROPOSE LAWS
TO new ASSEMBLY
Mayor Seebirt TO Preside .;
Special Session to Be
Held Friday.

Mayor Eli Seeb1rt. president OF
the Indiana Municipal league, will
preside at ths srecal meeting Of
the league 20 be held az Indianap-
oils tomorrow TO discuss recommen-
dations OF legislation 70 be made TO
tho state legislature at the next
session. The principal recomnen-
datfons were drawn up here in Oc-
tober. The recOmmend dattons adopt
ed here are as follows:
1. a bill 20 change the criminal
law IN the state OF Indiana pertain
ing 20 violations OF the liquor laws
OF this state which Will require the
courts to infiict a minimum punish
ment OF 90 days in jail for any vio-
lation thereof and for a first Of
fense.
Hit Change OF Venue.
2. A bin 20 amend tho change OF
venue statute IN the state OF Indiana
pertaining TO changes from courts
in criminal cases so that any de-
fendant desiring a change from the
Judge before whom his case is pend
ing shall be required 20 state the
facts constituting the reason why
ne cannot have a fair and impair
tial trial before said Judge. and fur
thsr providing that II shall be with
IN the sound discretion or the court
20 grant or refuse such a change.
8. A bill TO amend the public im-
provement statute which IN sub
stance shall provide that the board
OF public works OF cities and that
the common council OF towns may
assess any part or the whole OF In
tersection costs against abutting
property but that the preliminary
resolution adopted by such board or
council shall IN the first instance
recite or inform property owners
whether or not said cost or any part
thereof shall be assessed against
them
4. A bill 10 amend further me
public Improvement statute OF cities
and towns which in effect shan pro-
vide that where a Board OF public
works or common council having
jurisdiction IN the matter shall in
its discretion and Judgment find
that all bids submitted for such
public Improvement are too high,
that they NAV refuse all bids and
order that said public Improvement
shall be made by the city. IN which
case the city shall have all the
rights OF a contractor and shall
have the power TO receive, sell and
assign public Improvement bonds
executed because OF any such i'm
provement; and any deficit arising
from the sale OF such bonds shall
be paid out OF the general fund
Adopt Civil Service.
5. A bill for any act providing
that where cities or towns own and
operate any public utility, that the
board or council having control
thereof. may by the passage OF an
ordinance adopt civil service rules
and requirements pertaining TO the
superintendent, manager. officers or
emp1oyes OF any such public utility
and may provide rules for the oper-
alton OF such civil service system.
However. that said statute should
provide that after the common
council has elected 20 adopt suoh
civil servioo system that the council
shah not thereafter have the power
60 repeal such ordinance.
7. A bin to provide for tho ap-
constitutional shall restore 20 the
municipalities OF this state their
former contract rights under fran
chises with pablo utilities as they
we're before said franchises were
surrendered.
:. A BIZ top rUvide for the ep-
pointmeut OF commission 20 re-
-tss and consolidate The laws o.
IRE state pertaining 20 municipal
government