The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-01-18
SMASH crime,
IS SLOGAN OF
LEGISLATORS
Several Bills Introduced
to Curb LaWIeSSneSs
Reign in State.
PRIMARY FIGHT AVOIDED
Teacher Tenure Law Sure
to Precipitate Battle
in Assembly.
BY ROBERT BEARD


Bills to curb crime by increasing
the punishment were in predomi-
nance as the general assembly en-
tered the second week Of its sixty
one-day session today.
Primary revision, pledged in the
Republican state platform and sec
onded word by word by Governor
Harry G. Leslie, remained too con-
troversial a problem to find its way
into the early fodder.
But auto license fee revision,
teacher tenure repeal, universal
drivers license, compulsory liabil-
ity and property damage for drivers,
and an old age pension bill, in new
dress, put in their appearance.
Ffrst-week bills marked out a
rocky road for the bandit. In the
senate, measures proposed manda-
tory death sentence for burglars or
bandits convicted of committing
murder in commission of crime,
increased the penalty for burglary
or benditry to twenty-five years, and
defined grand larceny as the theft
of $25 or more, instead of the pres
ent 500 minimum.
Whipping Is Advocated
Even the ancient cat-of- nine-tails
was threatened by one measure pro-
viding 10 to 20 strokes for persons
carrying deadly weapons in COM
mission of a felony. The whipping
post would be bestowed in addition
to the penalty already prescribed
by law
Republican members of both
houses failed of anything approach
ing general agreement with their
platform promise for primary modi-
flcation. In fact, numbers of them
doubt any change will be made.
The same lack of unanimity was
apparent in regard to Governor
Leslie's recommendation that the
highway department be given
100000 more annually for two
years to speed the paving program.
The inclination was to approach
the proposal cautiously. Highway
Director John H. Williams, in re-
questing a 100000 increase in the
highway departments biennial APP
preparation, recommended a one
cent boost in gasoline tax and sub
stantial increase in license fees. OPP
ponents, both of the appropriation
and the means, were forming their
lines to fight.
Tenure Fight Is On
Renewal of the teacher tenure
fight of two years ago was in pros
pect, with introduction of bill in
the house for outright repeal. Or
ganized teachers will spur on de-
tenders of the measure, while town
ship trustees goad the repeal forces.
Because of the number of bills
designed to license and regulate the
driving of automobiles, probability
increased that recodiflcation would
not be attempted this year, but that
an amendatory act would be pre-
pared, Incorporating the best fea-
lures Of several already framed by
individual legislators and automobile
associations.
The house was first to apply the
opener to the biennial utility regula-
ton Squabble, with a bill requiring
that utility valuation for taxation
shall not be under the valuation
fixed by the public service commits
sion for rate-making purposes.
Backed by Farmers
The bill has the backing of the
Indiana Farm Bureau Federation
and is regarded as the forerunner.
of others striking at utilities and the
regulatory body.
Creation of a new commission and
a new sub-departnent were pro-
posed in the first weeks bills. A
commission Of three, to be appointed
by the Governor, would be created
to administer old age assistance
a pension of not more than 81 q
day to the aged INDECENT.
A forest fire prevention depart-
ment would be established under the
department. of conservation, with an
annual appropriation Of $4,000,
while the old age assistance com
mission would require $4,000 an
nually, the bill estimates.