The Indianapolis times., 1927-01-03
INDEPENDENTS|N
HOUSE MAY RULE
Continued From Page y

he is well known because of his
stand on the public service commits
sion, and the handling of the auto
mobile tax. He is in the transfer
business and operates a fleet of
trucks for overland hauling.
Friends of Leslie have been hold
ing conferences In the hope of get
ting enough strength to put him
over on the first caucus ballot. They
cite his experience. William Settle.
president Of the Indiana Farm Bu-
reau Federation, will probably throw
his influence to the Lafayette man.
Pittinger, an instructor at the In
diana State Normal School in Mum
Gle, has the support of Coffin, Gov
ernor jackson and the backing of
Senator Arthur r. Robinson. Pit
finger refused to act as manager
for Oswald Ryan of Anderson in thu
senatorial primary last May. az
Ira Mendenhall, Washington, ~
steadfastly refused to commit. hIffIs4
self on the subject Of impending
legislation because being a candi-
date for speaker of the House IN
the coming session 1 do not deem II
policy to state my position" How
many votes Mendenhall can rallv is
one Of the things worrying the
leaders.
Democratic Race
George L. Saunders, Bluffton ed
itor, will probably get the Demo.
cratic vote for speaker, which will
make him minority leader. unless
the coalition program goes through.
saunders served in the State Sen.
ate last session.
The Bluffton editor is known to
favor amending the utility act so
that the rights of the people may be
protected and will probably lead the
fight for a legislative inquiry into
all branches Of the State govern
ment.
Being a member of the State
budget committee, which takes much
time, probably will prevent Addison
Drake Of Fairbanks, Sullivan
County, from acting as leader of the
Democrats.
Some consideration has been given
Fabius Gwin of Shoals as leader of
the minority, His stand on the re-
peal Of the primary, which he favors.
may react against him.
With thirty-seven votes in the
House, the Democrats feel thew will
be able to block all suspension of
rules and will be able to muster
enough Republicans on some meas
ures to make a real fight for "cleanA
government" in Indiana. Mk&
Repeal Of the primary has i<&
with such formidable oppositi' &.
throughout the State that the lea w.
ers are wondering just what move ~
make. Articles appearing in a lead.
ing weekly Of national circulation by
former Senator Albert j. Beveridge
has aroused the citizenry. Then. too.
the plans Of Clyde Walb, Republican
State chairman, who saw in the con.
vention plan the means Of his own
nomination as Governor, were too
drastic for all Of his followers.
Five-Ring Fight
There has been some talk that M
Burt Thurman, collector of internal
revenue and the man behind the
throne" In the Watson campaign.
who also has gubernatorial ambi
tions, may take up the cudgels in
behalf of the Statewide primary as
a means of getting himself before
the public.
Although there is little. agreement
on the multifarious proposals talked
of, 1t is generally conceded that
the coming session, which viii get
under way Thursday, will witness a
fight for supremacy between:
l. George V. Coffin, who would
like to succeed walb as State chair.
man.
2. Clyde Walb, now State chair.
man, who wants to be Governor.
3. Frederick Schortemeier. sec.
retary of State, who also wants to
live In the house owned by the State
on Fall Creek Blvd.
a. M. Burt Thurman, internal
revenue collector, who thinks he
would make good Governor.
SD Jackson, who did not >Sva..a&.