The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-03-07

special session OF the leglSla-
ture this summer to pass a
bill more generally satisfac-
tory and consistent with what
some Senators termed pub
lie welfare"
Administration leaders, however
passed along the word that the bill
is to be passed at this session, re-
CARELESS of the short time remain
ing.
Weary-eyed members of the SEN
ate Committee ST aggled back to the
Senate this morning after long
hours spent last night at the Indi-
annapolis Athletic Club in discussion
of the controversial features of the
bill.
One Senator expressed indigna-
ton at the amount of pressure
which mas been brought to bear on
the committee by the liquor in
terests.
1T begins to look like we're legis-
lating for the bootlegger, rather
than the people" he declared after
the night of harassment.
The most controversial points con-
sidered by the committee we're said
to include:
Sections Attacked
Conditions under which liquor
may be sold by the drink.
Abolition of the roadhouse.
Importer provisions excluding out
state breweries from having their
own agencies in the state.
The 81 gallon tax on whisky.
The triple license system.
Senator William d. Hardy Cd,
Evansville), committee chairman,
said this morning it looked as if
the committee would need another
meeting before a report is brought
in. Later he said the committee
would meet in executive session i'm
mediately after the noon adjourn
ment.
Floor Fight Likely
Amendments were reported to in
clude broadening the beer and liquor
wholesalers state rights as a move
to correct what has been termed
another importer monopoly; re-
duction of the liquor commission
personnel from five to four. and
legalization of package liquor stores
where sealed bottles could be sold.
Some Senators. not members of
the committee, were said to feel that
passage of the bill this late in the
session is injudicious in itself be-
cause of the controversial features.
From them came indications that
the bill would face q floor fight in
the Senate, regardless of the COM
mittee action.
Passed by House
Administration leaders pointed out,
however, that the same threats "of
tearing the bill to pieces" being
made in the Senate we're made in
the House, but that the bill passed
the lower chamber by a large vote.
Indications that a majority of the
Senate public policy committee
favors the bill in principle we're
seen by some observers in the fact
that the committee conferred last
night with Tom O'Mara and Merl
Wall.
Mr.. O'Mara, a Terre Haute at
torney, wrote the original draft of
the bill and Mr.. Wall is associated
with Frank McHale, one of Gov.
Paul V. McNutt'S advisers. Mr.. Nc
Hale and Mr.. O'Mara we're given
administration sanction to write the
bill.
Racket Charges Made
Charges that attempts are being
made to continue a school bus con-
tract racket" are expected TO be
made when House bill requiring
steel school bus bodies and safety
glass comes before the Senate to-
morrow.
Senate Bill 181, which would have
required four-year bus contracts,
competitive bidding and public
opening of proposals. was killed in
the House of Representatives which
earlier had adopted a bill regulat-
ing the type of BUSES.
Today the provisions of the de-
feated Senate bill we're added TO the
pending House measure.
Senator John Bright Webb d,
Indianapolis is expected to lead the
fight for incorporation of the strict
contracting regulations. He plans
if necessary. to charge that inter-
ested persons were instrumental in
killing the Senate measure when it
reached the House and that the
present methods Of contracting re-
suit in excessive costs to taxpayers