The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-01-24
LEGISLATURE
BATTLES ON
BILLS LOOM
Proposal Would Create New
Public Service Commits
sion of Six.
THREE OF EACH PARTY
Friends of Collins Form
Lobby on Court Plan.

Fireworks were ready to be
touched off as both houses of the In
diana Legislature prepared to re.
convene this afternoon.
Measures of major importance are
to be reported out of committees
which may result in test votes.
The appropriation bill for the en-.
suing two years was to be introduced
by Representative Samuel j. Farrell,
Hartford City.
A new measure that may put an
entirely different complexion on the
Cam plan TO abolish the public serv-
ice commission is expected to be in
troduced soon in the Senate. The
bill will provide for aLolishing the
commission and the establishment in
its stead new body of six, three
Democrats and three Republicans.
Up TO Senate
Selection of the members will be
after the manner of choosing similar
bodies in the Federal Government.
Names will be placed in nomination
by the Governor, but approval will
require a two-thirds vote of the SEN
ate. Should appointment be neces-
sary when the Senate is not in ses-
sion a special session will be called.
The recess over the weekend has
given Senators opposing the Cam
bill time to prepare data and a for.
nlidable array of facts and figures
are expected to be brought forth
when the fight reacheS the Senate
floor.
The bill introduced by Senator
Howard a. Cam. Frankfort, pro-
vides for complete abolition of the
commission and no State control at
all. The bill was reported on favor
ably by the Committee on Public
Rights and Franchises, to which
Cam asked that it be sent. He is
chairman Of the committee.
Fight Tuesday
1t went TO first reading and the
printer by a vote Of 20 to so. the
committee report being accepted.
Many Senators explained that they
were not taking sides in this vote,
but felt that with the bill printed
they would be able to study it. The
fight is expected when 1t comes I'D
for second reading and engrossmsnt.
1t is not likely to be called up today.
Cam declared, but intimated the
battle may be staged on Tuesday.
Many members declare that 1t Is
utterly impossible for the bill to pass
In its present form, contending that
the result would be chaos.
The bill introduced in the House
by a number of the Marion County
delegation to increase council mem
bers in Indianapolis from nine to
fifteen will be fought to the end.
Anti-Coffin representatives consid-
er 1t as a measure to prevent heck
ling Of city executive as has hap
pened locally in the council.
TOO Much Coffin
"Too much Coffin and machine pol
iticsS' is the way the bill is being de-
scribed. 1t will be fought by Frank
Borns and Mrs. Ella Gardner, In
dianapolis Representatives who
backed Harry G. Leslie for Speaker
against the wishes of the Coffin
Observation-Disclosures machine.
"Sent back to the committee for
further consideration" was the fate
of Mrs. Gardeners f1fty-fifty bill,
which would give women an equal
right with men in the party organ.
ization.
Representative William c. Bah
cocks bill for a bonus for World
War veterans is still slumbering in
committee. Little hope is held out
for its passage. as opponents point
the war memorial was ordered built
on the promise there would be no
bonus.
Highway commission maintenance
OF detours on State roads is being
favored. 1t is said to have the sup.
port of the highway body and was
introduced by Curtis H. Bennett
Dem.) of Dillsboro.
Support for Collins
A lobby against passage of the bill
abolishing the Criminal Court of
Marion County has made it's appear
ance. Friends Of Judge James A.
Collins are asking that the bill be
killed.
Movie censorship is involved in the
bill being prepared by Senator Earl
W. Payne. Of Bloomington. Under
its terms it is probable that minis
terial associations will act as censors.
The bill would further provide for
showing only religious pitcures on
| Sunday.