The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-01-02
Law MAKERS
WILL PROVIDE
EXCITING DAYS
Legislature to Open Next
Week May Be Most Stir
ring in Twenty Years.
MANY ISSUES INVOLVED
Tax Reduction, Age Pension
and Reapportionment
Important Matters.
BY BEN STERN

Z What many persons so facetiously
refer to as "the biennial Indiana
calamity is due for a recurrence
beginning Thursday when 100 state
representatives and fifty state SEN
ators assemble here for sixty-one
days.
Inasmuch as there is no way of
forestalling the converting of a gen.
eral assembly, the people of Indiana
will cover in their homes, close
their ears against the bowling
of embryo statesmen and pray for
the best.
There can be little doubt that the
session will prove more exciting
than any in two decades.
The menu served up for legisla-
tive action will cover wide field
and includes reducing the tax bur-
den upon real property, an old
age pension bill, reapportionment
sales, tobacco and malt taxes, dou-
bling the automobile tax, reorganiza-
ton of political parties and repeal
of the direct primary for all offices
a statewide referendum on prohibit
ton, repeal of the Wright bone dry
law, free school text books, and a
proposal for state-owned cement
plant.
Several Probes Likely
Investigations are expected to be
made of alleged extravaganza and
miSpanagement of the state high
way commission, gasoline tax frauds,
operation of the fire marsllals Of
flee. A probe of the conservation
department may also be asked by
Representative II. H. Evans of New
castle.
That the highway department is
expecting close scrutiny is seen in
the action of its heads in sending
the 1929 and 1880 annual reports
to all members of the assembly.
Evidence that Governor Harry G.
Leslie foresees much trouble in the
offlng is indicated in his attempt to
win the support of the G. o. P
state organization from which he
has been estranged for some time.
Leslie this week appointed John
Kidd of Brazil as insurance COM
missioner. to succeed Clarence Wy
song, who has been under fire for
some time. Kidd is the father of
Linn Kidd. Fifth district chairman,
and is reported to have had the
support of the state committee.
Ignored Former Aid
But in appointing the Brazil man
the Governor further widened the
breach which has existed between
him and Bert Fuller, his manager
in the 1928 campaign, who was an
aspirant for the post.
AS a prelude to all this excitement
comes the caucuseS of both parties
Wednesday night when friends oil
Representative Walter Myers will
attempt to obtain his election as
speaker of the House in the face OF
opposition from supporters of Ear
Crawford, Milton; DELPHI McKesson
Plymouth; Fabius Gwin, Shoals;
David ByerS, Vincennes, and Will
liam McClain of Evansville.
If credence can be given the
claims of the Myers men, he is
already elected.
Despite the widespread belief
that Crawford has the support OF
the Indiana Farm Bureau Fedora
ton, it was authoritatively stated
today by farm leader that the fed
Grafton is taking no hand in the
speakership fight. 1t is recalled that
Crawford joined John j. Brown OF
Monon and others in organizing a
grain cooperative in competition
with that of the federation.
Opponents of Myers are expected
to get behind either one of their
number or possibly George L. Saun-
derS of Bluffton, veteran legislator
and publisher, who was minority
leader in 1927-1929.
The Republican twenty-five rep
resentativeS indicate they will
nominate James Nj. Knapp of Hag-
erStown, 1929 Speaker, as their lead
err, No opposition is expected.
Fight for Senate Gavel
The Republican senators, however
will be emhroiled in bitter fight
for president pro tenn. But fifteer
votes are necessary to obtain the
election and it is believed that the
veteran Senator James j. Nejdl Of
Whiting, three times president anc
several times a formidable conten-
der, has q lead.
Nejdl's wet stand may injure him
unless the action of Senator John J
Niblack. Indianapolis, in urging FOL
a prohibition referendum, is indica-
tive of the trend of thought among
senators. In that event the Lake
county man is expected to win.
Opposing him are French Gle
ments of Evansville, who is no cub
and I. Floyd CARROT of Battle
Ground, who has been working fol
the post for some time.
Senators Chester A. Perkins oil
South Bend, and Walter S. Cham
bers. Democrats, are candidates fol-
otAtdbC AhAtlOAlJy iGdu6IS. EeIhlIlo IL
known to be wet an6 Chambers
has long been in the dry column.
incidentally Perkins has just an
nounced a reapportionment plan
providing for eleven congreSsiona,
districts with Marion county in q
district composed also of Hancock
Hamilton and Madison counties
with a population of 539.097. This
district would elect two representa-
tiveS. Such a plan is a radical in
novation and may get lost in the
scramble.
Senator Joe Rand Becketts pro
posed bill for making precinct com
nlitteemen the all-powerful unit il
the party and for the abolition O
the direct primary for all official
is not meeting with much favor.
Party leaders have for long tim
felt that the committeeman are to-
powerful as it is and are reluctan
to leave all nominating power il
their hands.