The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-02-18
CRY OF LIAR
STIRS SENATE
IN ROAD ROW
Strey and Sherwood Are
Near Blows in Debate
on Ripper Bill.
FIST BATTLE AVERTED
Prompt Intervention of
Other Members Prevents
Fight on Floor.

Bitterness flared to point of blows
in the Indiana senate today, and
did not subside until that body, by
a vote of 81 to 10, directed its roads
committee to report within twenty
four hours on the highway commits
sion ripper BILL" which would abol-
ish the present state highway COM
mission.
A fist fight between Senator John
G. Sherwood rep, Lawrence, Mar
tin and ORANGE, chairman of the
senate roads committee. and SEN
ator Charles L. Strey CRep., Kosci-
usko and Wabash), author of the
bill, and avowed enemy of the
present highway commission, mar
roWly was averted.
Only the prompt intervention of
other senators halted the two as
they came within arms length of
one another, Sherwood incensed at
the appellation Liar" which Strey
hurled at him.
Motion of Senator Anderson
Ketchum (Dem., Bartholomew, De
catur. Franklin and Warren) direct
ing the roads committee to report
the ripper bill to the senate within
twenty-four hours, precipitated the
argument.
Debate Is Heated
Ketchum is coauthor of the bill
with Strey. Both are members,
Strey chairman, of the senate COM
mittee investigating administration
of the state highway commission
under Director John J. Brown.
Ketchum said road committee
members had had the bill under
consideration since Feb. 5 and
should be ready to report.
Heated opposition came from SEN
ator Harry <. Cuthbertson dem,
Howard and MiamD, a committee
member
This committee doesn't intend
to have any paid lobbyist tell it
when to report out a bill or when
not to-" he shouted. Sam MADDEN.
q paid lobbyist, had the audacity
to ask this committee to hold Up
this bill until the investigating
committee has made its report"
Hadden is secretary of the In
diana Sand and Gravel Association
and enemy of the reigning highway
commission.
Did I ask to withhold the re-
port, Strey asked, rising to his
feet.
Liar Strey RetOrts
Cuthbertson nodded to Sherwood.
who said absolutely"
You're liar" Strey retorted as
he and Sherwood strobe toward
each other.
After their colleagues had quelIed
them, Senator Earl Rowley Rep.,
La Porte and Starke) asked Lieu
tenant Governor Edgar D. Bush to
admonish Strey for his remark, but
Strey interrupted the rebuke with
an apology.
Ketchum explained the bill under
debate would abolish the present
highway commission and substitute
a new board of four members to be
appointed by the Governor. the
chairman to serve as the executive
officer. Each would receive $4,000 a
year and expenses.
1T is true" he said, there are
lobbyists here representing the ce-
ment and gravel interests, but there
also are lobbyists here for the high
way commission. They would be at
our desks in five minutes if we were
to recess"
Reopen Debate Thursday
Sherwood sought to amend
Ketchum's motion to direct the road
committee to report immediately
after the investigating committee
has reported its findings"
But after Senators G. Oliver
Holmes (Rep., Lake. and Alonzo H.
Lindley (Rep., Fountain, Verlmilion
and Warren said it was unfair to
authors of the bill to withhold it
longer, SherWood's motion was voted
down, % to 10, and the report or
dered within twenty-four hours.
In the course of debate, Sen
ator Ketchum asserted three mem
bers Of the roads committee would
favor passage and three indefinite
postponement.
The promised divided report will
open the whole matter to open de-
bate Thursday.