The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-02-13
TAXATION AND
LIQUOR ISSUE
OUT IN FRONT
Apportionment and Utility
Fight Also Among As
SembIy Topics of Week.
PARTY MOVE ASSAILED
HooSlerS in Congress 0p-
pose Election at Large
Set for 1882.
BY BEN STERN

Although nothing OF great moment
was accomplished in either house
of the general assembly during the
fifth week which is drawing to a
close, it was made interesting to
the public by four happenings of
relatively major Importance.
These were: Introduction Of the
Democratic platform pledge per-
SOnal and corporation income tax
bills; two open hearings on pro-
hibition which drew several hundred
interested persons and threw some
light on the public feeling regard
ing this question; decision of the
Republican senators and representa-
tiveS against passage of a congress
Sional reapportionment bill; and the
intensive fight of the lobbyists to
kill the Moorhead utility holding
company bill.
VETS Bills are HighIights
Although introduced Monday aft
ernon and Immediately reported
out Of committee with recommended
ton for passage, the income tax
measures were not handed down
for second reading because the
house ways and means committee
desired to frame certain amend |
ments to smooth rough spots.
The hearings on the two so-called
)"Wet" bills were easily the high
point Of interest during the week.
The first was devoted to a dis
cussion of the Egan-M onnig bills
permitting the prescription and sale
of medicinal whisky and outstand-
ing physicians of the city and state
testified in favor of the measure;
while the "drys" deplored any
weakening OF the Wright act.
The next night consideration was
given to the Galloway Egan bill for
repeal of the Wright law, and for
the first time since its passage cit
liens of Indiana we're told how The
power of d. G. Stephenson, one time
Khan dragon and now in the state
prison, was exerted to obtain its
passage, which was celebrated
with a debauch at the Claypool
hotel"
Divided Report Expected
The dry contented themselves
with the regular appeal to keep
us from the saloon and save The
children"
Both bills are expected to be
brought to the floor on divided re-
ports.
The Republican legislators deci-
sion not to pass a reapportionment
act and thus cause the election of
all representatives at large in 1892
brought severe criticism from the
Indiana Republican representatives
in Washington.
Led by Will r. Wood, Tenth dis
trict Republican veteran representa-
tive, they declared that such tao
tics would be a grave error.
Fear State Wide Plan
1t was pointed out by observers
that these men in the capital are
seeing the handwriting on the wall
for 1882. They realize that while
running from their home districts
they may have good chances of re-
election, but by becoming candidates
from the whole state their defeat
is certain if there is a recurrence of
the Democratic landslide of last
year.
With proponents of the Moor
head bill, which would place utility
holding companies under the SUI
pervision of the public service COM
mission, putting up bitter battle
for its passage, all Of the utility
lobbyists are presenting a united
front in opposition.
The bill is now ready in the sem
ate for passage and If it wins
through there will have easy sail
ing in the house. which has so far
manifested strong anti-utility
tendency
Too much credit can not be given
the willy veteran senator, James j.
Nejdl (Rep., Lake. for obtaining The
passage of the amended old age
pension bill in the senate.
nnnIIF MrInM 10 CnIINnr