The Indianapolis times., 1931-02-19
MOVE TO KILL
ROADS BOARD
GAINS POWER
Senators Adopt Minority
Committee Report by
26-19 Vote.
KEICHUM LEADS FIGHT
Measure to Set Up New
Commission Goes to
Second Reading.

First step toward passage of the
senate bill which would abolish the
present state highway commission
and set up a full-tirne commission
of four members, was taken today
when senators adopted, 26 to 10, a
minority committee report for pas
sage of the measure.
Senator Anderson Ketchum (Dem.,
Bartholomew, Decatur, Franklin
and Union), co-author of the bill
with Senator Charles L. Strey CKos-
ciusko and Wabash, led the fight
against the majority report. of the
roads committee for indefinite post
ponement.
Strey and Senator James B.
Brewster (Dem., Crawford, Floyd
and Harrison) signed the minority
report.
One to be Chairman
Ketchum explained the plan pro-
posed in the bill of having the
Governor nominate a bipartisan
commission from the four present
highway districts, the appointments
to be approved by the senate.
Each commissioner would get
$4,000 a year and serve full time.
One Of the four would be elected
chairman.
"The total cost would be $4,000
a year and $1,000 of this would be
had by aboliShing the present Of
fees of director and assistant di-
rector" Ketchum explained.
At present the dictatorship is on
full-time and the commissioners
on per diem basis
RowIey Against Bill
Senator Earl Rowley (Rep., La
porte and Starke) took the floor
against the bill, contending it,
should have been introduced only
if the senate highway investigation
committee disclosed corruption un-
der the present scheme.
Strey and Ketchum are leaders
in the investigation. Ketchum urged
the bill be Kept alive at least until
the committees findings are re-
turned to the senate.
There will be something in. that
committee report regarding failure
to collect federal aid under the pres
ent Setup that the senators should
know in deciding their vote on this
bill" Ketchum declared.
A. roll call vote was taken and the
bill went to second reading. If the
authors retain the twenty-six votes
for final passage the measure is as
sured a constitutional majority in
the senate.
+ The committee report was brought
in by passage of a motion demand
ing the report be made today. Tbs
motion was adopted at the Wednes-
day session.
Brought in on Motion
Debate on the motion caused Strey
and Senator John G. Sherwood
(Rep., Lawrence, Martin and
Orange), to come almost to blows.
Strey called Sherwood liar" but
later apologized. Sherwood said
Strey had asked the bill kept in
committee until the senate highway
investigation report was made.
Having failed to undermine the
position of Jess Murden, Peru, as
a state highway commissioner, Strey,
who Is chairman Of the senate high
way investigating committee, today
directed his guns on Chairman AL
bert j. Wedeking of the state high
way commission.
Wedeking was in the senate
chamber during the debate today.
Strey announced Wedeking will be
summoned to re-appear before the
copmittee and explain statements
regarding the Evansville bridge at
variance with those made by Van
derburg county commissioners.
Wedeking previously testified that
Vanderburg county was securing the
Indiana right-of-way for the bridge.
but the county commissioners have
denied it, according to Strey.
The senator Wednesday secured a
seven-page opinion from Attorney
General James M. Ogden upholding
the legality Of Murden's appoint
nlent as commissioner.