The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-01-16
Of
PROBE FEVER
IN ASSEMBLY
Let's Investigate Prevails
as Bills Offered Exceed
1929 Introduction.
SCHOOL BOOKS TO FORE
Proposals for Free Texts
and Methods of Paying
for Them Get Attention.
BY BEN STERN


BY BEN STERN
Knee-deep in bills, the seventy
seventh general assembly, at the
close Of its first week, appears to be
a body bent on Investigations.
BY far the outstanding feature,
excepting the plethora of bills
which exceeds by twenty-six the
number introduced in the same pc
riod in the 1929 session, has been
the determination Of the represent
atiYes TO change the system of
adopting school texts and provide
them free.
Seven bills having to do with free
textbooks have been introduced.
They range from the levying of
special taxes on malt, cigaretS and
tobacco products to pay for the
books, to the appointment of a
state textbook commission to pur-
chase manuscripts and print books
in state owned establishment.
At the same time two resolutions
relative to the book situation have
been presented for the consideration
of the representatives, and two
similar in content were approved
by the senate.
The first house resolution calls
upon the state board Of education to
defer adoption of texts until the
legislature shall have acted upon the
various measures before it; while
the second asks for an investigation
of the circumstances surrounding
adoption Of books.
Senate Desires Inquiry
From the senate comes word OF
the introduction OF a resolution
asking for the appointment of spe-
cial commission to investigate the
administrative branches with view
toward reducing the number of
commissions and boards.
First step to redeem the Demo-
cratic platform pledges was taken
this week with the introduction of
an old-age pension bill in both
houses, Senator James j. Nejdl
(Rep., Lake, joining as co-sponsor
in the senate.
Assault on the Wright dry law
was started with introduction OF
repeal bill in the house, while re-
ports from the senate declare a SIM
liar measure is to be introduced
there. n
In line with their campaign
pledges the Democratic representa-
tives from Lake county have intro
duced bill to put county officials
there on a salary basis and end the
fee system, which has made those
posts the most lucrative in the state.
So far but one income tax meas
ure has been dropped into the hop
per, and it provides for a state tax
to be half that of the federal income
tax.
Bills bearing the recommendation
of the Governors tax commission
have as yet not been presented, al
though they are eagerly awaited.
Primary Repeal Offered
OF utmost significance was the
conference held in Republican state
headquarters this week when Sena-
tor Joe Rand Beckett Rep., Marion
and Johnson) read his proposed re-
peal of the. primary law to State
Chairman Eliza o. Rogers and Sec
rotary Harry Fenton.
It is understood that except for
the provisions making precinct COM
mitteemen all powerful in the party,
the measure met with the commit
tee heads approval.
Governor Harry G. Leslie, who
ran seventh in the 1928 primary
and was nominated in the conven-
ton, has taken an open stand for
repeal of all features of the pri-
mary.
The 1929 session repealed the Sec
tionS providing for the nomination
of Governor and United States
senators in a primary election, leav-
ing only city, county and district
officials to be so nominated.
Now it is proposed to make all
nominations in convention.
Although several members of the
legislature are working on congress
sional reapportionment no plan has
been presented to the assembly yet
and headquarters of both state
committees are not divulging the
manner in which they desire the
districts framed.
/ Two representatives in congress
appeared at the legislative sessions
this week and secuted about in an
attempt to learn what the gerry
Wandering holds for them. They
were John w. Boehne Jr., First dis
trict, and Eugene B. Grove, Third
district.
Harmony Continues
So far nothing has happened to
hamper seriously the harmony
among the Democratic house ma
jority.
In order to keep things moving
equally, party leaders are consider
ing the calling of 8 series of con-
ferences to discuss pet proposals and
Sc if an agreement can be reached
before they are presented on the
floor.
OF major interest to both Demo-
cratic and Republican leaders are
the enthusiastic receptions ac-
corded Paul v. McNutt at the Jack
son day dinners at which he has
appeared.
Reports from Lake county were
that he had been hailed as Gov
ernor in 1882 and President in 1885,"
while at Peru he is said to have
been met with fifteen minutes Of
cheering and acclaim
1t is generally believed that Nc
Mutt can have the Democratic
nomination for Governor for the
-.