The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-01-31
IN
HOPELESS SPLIT.
OVER PRIMARY
Senate Majority Apparently
DeadIoCked on Election
Law Bill.

With the Democratic majority IN
the Indiana Senate apparently
hopelessly entangled on primary
election legislation, it was learned
today from authoritative sources
that the Republicans in the upper
house would introduce a bill calling
for complete repeal of the direct
primary law.
simultaneously, it was learned,
the Democratic majority will hold
it's second secret caucus in two days
late this afternoon on the ninth
floor of the Claypool The caucus
was to be held after adjournment Of
today's session. The caucus was
called because a special elections
committee appointed at yesterday S
meeting is unable to agree.
The Republican bill calling for re-
peal of the primary system ana
throwing all nominations back into
convention was introduced by Sen
ator I. Floyd CARROT, Battle
Ground, the minority leader. 1t was
reported to have been given him by
the Republican state committee.
CARROT Introduces Bill
IF the bill is introduced by Sen
ator CARROT, with complete party
sanction, the Republicans thus
would be acting to fulfill their party
platform whereas the Democrats
have repudiated theirs in respect To
the primary. 1t generally had been
believed that both parties would
steer clear of primary repeal, de-
spite their platforms.
The first aggressive move by the
minority, on strictly party motive,
came this morning in the Senate
when Senator Garrett introduced a
resolution demanding an investlga-
ton of Democratic activities in the
Second congressional district cleo
ton Tuesday.
The resolution called for report
from the Governors executive sec
rotary pleas Greenlee) as to the
number of state employees particl-
pating in the election at which
Charles Halleck, Republican, de-
feated George R. Durgan. An &C
counting of the loss to the state in
salaries and gasoline also was de-
manded.
Weiss Demands Tabling
Alertly, Senator Jacob Weiss d.,
Indianapolis), president pro tenn,
demanded tabling and Senate Pres
ident M. Clifford Townsend quickly
called for a vote. The Democrats
roar overwhelmed the Republicans
solid vote for CARROTS move.
In full flight in the face of
general disapproval of the party's
pledge to repeal the primary, the
Democratic majority formally re-
pudiated that intention at yester-
days caucus and agreed to strength
en- the primary system of nominat-
ing candidates.
The decision followed a two-hour
secret caucus guarded by Senate
doorkeepers and from which news
paper men we're excluded, despite
decision early in the session that
newspaper men could attend eau
cuses
At the close of the huddle yester-
day, Senator Henry F. Schrlcker
Cd, Knox, majority caucus chair
man, issued the following announce
ment:
In response to popular demand
of the people, the Democratic
caucus of Senators decided unani-
mously that the Indiana primary
law should not be repealed"
Senator Schricker dressed the
unanimous" feature of the resolu-
ton and added that the decision
was in full accord with Gov. Paul
V. McNutt's views.
This committee today was report
ed to have disagreed on the heat
bill of Senator Albright, which would
place the Governor, United States
Senator anc all state officials, in
Guiding the supreme and appellate
Judges, back on the primary ballot.
Such nominations now are made
in convention.
Senator Albright's bill has pro-
voked so much controversy that the
regular Senate elections committee
is divided against itself on report
ing the bill out.