The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-07-25
ROADS BOARD
UNDER FIRE. IN
SENATE PROBE
Determined Effort Made to
Split Huge Fund of
Highway Bureau.
SPENDING PLANS LAID
Department Proceeds With
Moves Costing Millions,
Despite Inquiry.

Despite statewide demands for
diversions of gasoline tax and auto
mobile license funds to block con-
troll by the Indiana highway de-
partment, commissioners already
have arranged to spend $3.50, 900 of
the 1888 budget.
This was revealed today at the
senate hearing. which may result in
demand by the legislature that the
highway division keep out of poll
tics"
The roads committee of the sem
ate learned of the proposed expend-
itures in questioning Ralph Simp-
son, assistant state highway direc-
tor.
Spotlight of legislative activities
VS. to be transferred to the house
of representatives this afternoon,
when vote is slated on the bill to re-
peal the Wright bone dry law.
Senate Watches House
Wet and dry lines were. drawn
throughout the morning, as rep
resentatives returned to their posts
after the weekend. Senators, re-
Stunning their routine duties at the
halfway mark of the special session.
had then ears to the ground" on
the house vote.
Simpsons testimony revealed that
the commission plans to continue
the largest construction program in
state history although commission
ers are aware of the protests.
The commissioners battle, ap-
parent from the testimony before
the committee, will be to keep the
$24,000,OOO fund intact.
Simpsons report was an estimate
of how much funds will be avail
able if the bills to divert gas and
license funds on $3.50 basis are
passed.
Expects Drop in Funds
He placed the gasoline tax figure
at 100000; automobile licenses.
$2,500,000 and federal aid at $13.-
100000. This is several million short
of present figures, but Simpson ex-
planned he expects both the license
ices and gas tax to bring in less
next year.
At the close of his statement.
Simpson was taken to task bv John
H. Aiken, Fl. Wayne, representative
OF the Hoosier Taxpayers Union, on
the grounds that it is wrong to
spend" the 1888 funds before
knowing what will be available.
Simpson replied that it has been
an old custom" of the department.
Chairman John H. Sherwood
(Rep0, Mitchell, of the roads COM
mlttee. took great care to see that
no commissioner was offended.
His aid in their defense last year
resulted in a new paved road past
his farm.
Queried on Pressure
But he wouldn't let any one go
into the matter, although Senator
Winfield Miller (Rep.), Indianapo-
lis, did ask about the pressure
brought to bear on Senator William
V. Doogs Dem). Cannelton, to get
him to remove his name from the
senate fund diversion bill.
Sherwood sought to hush the
matter, but Chairman Albert J.
Wedeking CRep9, Dale, of the state
highway commission, wanted to ex-
plain.
"Oh, of course, Mr.. Wedekin, il
you want to explain you may"
Sherwood said.
SO Wedeking said the reason they
decided not to spend SIS, 900 to i'm
prove a road near Cannelton was
not because Doogs was author of the
bill, but because the bill wouldn't
leave enough money to make such
an expenditure.
That the Weiss repeater will be
passed is not doubted by house vets,
who claim large margin of VIC
tory. It's fortunes in the senate Will
be precarious, although liberals in
the upper house are confident of
ultimate victory.
Bans Obnoxious Clause
The new prohibition bill. if en-
acted, will remove the Wright laws
obnoxious search and seizure on
hearsay, making personal knowl-
edge the requirement for issuance
of a warrant.
It legalizes prescription and sale
of medicinal whisky with so cents a
pint tax, and makes the definition
of spirituous liquors correSond with
federal requirements If there is
liberalization by congress on beer.
the state statutes will correspond
under the Weiss bill