The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-02-11
C. 0. CHIEFS
SHUN PRIMARY
BILL DECISION
Party Opinion Is Divided
Sharply on Change in
Election Law.
REGISTRATION COST HIT
Absent Voters Measures
Are Given Attention
s by Legislators.

-Four old legislative "headliners,"
newly costumed, we're waiting back
stage for a turn in. the spotlight as
the 1929 edition of Indiana's gen.
eraI assembly entered the fifth week
of its eight-week run today.
In the quartet that alternatively
has been legged" and applauded by
politicalIy-minded legislators of pre-
vious sessions are bills affecting the
primary. registration, absent voters,
and reapportionment.
In spite of majority leaders eyi-
dent desire to fulfill the Republican
platform pledge for primary modifi-
cation, the suspicion persists that
the session will go by without any
material change being effecued.
The administration measures IN
the senate elections committee
would do away with statewide fea-
lures of the primary by throwing
nominations for Governor and
United States senator into the state
convention, In conformity with the
Platform pledge the measure would
provide for nomination of represent
atives in congress in district con-
ventions and eliminate the presiden-
tial preference feature OF the prl-
mary.
Decided Split Shown
Striking evidence of the division
of opinion on the proposed change
was furnished when Republican
senators in caucus, split 13 to Is in
a vote on the bill. 1t probably will
not be risked on the floor of the
senate until majority leaders OF the
upper house count twenty-slx Sena-
torial noses on their side.
But friends and foes of modiflca-
ton see no hope for the Alldredge
bill, which would place all nominal
tions for state offices under the pr1-
mary and provide for nominations
by plurality instead Of by majority.
This bill, too, is in the senate cleo
lions committee. .s.,.t.r
The model registration bill, rep
resenting two years research by the
Indiana League of Women Voters,
likewise repoSes in the elections
committees of both houses. Its vlr-
tues were recounted at public
hearing in the house chamber. but
election committee members asked
a great many disconcerting> ques-
lions about its cost.
They made a great stock OF the
fact that the first registration I'M
der the proposed bill would cost ap-
proximately $436, 600 and then about
$4,000 year.
Registration, too, brought a bill
from Senator John S. Alldredge OF
Anderson. contributor to the prl-
mary controversy. Alldredge's meas
ure would make primary poll books
the basis of a permanent reglstra-
ton list. 1t reposes in the senate
committee on elections.
Voters Bills introduced
Two absent voters bills have been
introduced in the house. One
answers the demand of Hooslers IN
Washington for legislation permit
ting them to vote without return
ing to Indiana.
The other is broader and repre-
sents organized labor's demand Tor
a law permitting all persons unable
to go to the polls because OF alb
Sence or illness to cast their ballot.
The anticipated move for reap
portionment of state representatives
came last week from Representa-
tive John w. Scott of Gary. Lake,
Marion and a few other populous
counties would be given increased
representation. but at the expense
of rural counties, who will oppose
the bill as hey did two years ago.
when the legislature was under
constitutional requirement to effect
reapportionnent.
Legislators clamoring for action
on measures bearing on elections
believe their chance may come
after the controversial city man
Ager amendments have been dis
posed of.