The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-03-06
OPPOSITION TO STATE
PENSION PLANS DROPPED.
SHORT SESSION POSSIBLE
Development Comes as De-
mandS Are Made for
Merit Service.
BLACK CHANGES MIND
Decides Not to Fight Pro-
poSal for Payments
in 1898.

ministration program on old
age pensions collapsed today,
it was reported, and admins
tration leaders in both houses
are seeking adjournment of
the special session of the Gen.
eral Assembly by March Id.
Leaders in both houses said they
were confident "at this time" that
adjournment would be called at that
date and that the social security
legislative program would be en-
acted III a much shorter time than
expected.
This afternoon the House Wavs
ana Means Committee was 70 hear
demands of Chamber of Commerce
and other organization officials that
proposed state welfare legislation
include fool proof provisions
carrying out the merit system.
The House adjourned at GAO this
morning in preparation for the pub
lie hearing set for 80.
The measure, as drafted. provides
Tor selection of employees and off,
GERS on merit basis. State and
county boards, however, are given
some leeway which, in the opinion
of the organizations, might cripple
the merit system.
LOOphOle Is Target
This loophole is the target for
the Chamber and League of Wom-
en- Voters pleas.
Gov. McNutt would not hazard an
opinion as to when the session
would be adjourned, but said he
expected to know more about that
after tonight
He referred to the caucus of the
Democratic majority in the House
at which it was reported the major
lty would Dind themselves to the adj
ministration old-age pension pro-
gram.
Rep. William j. Black Cd, Ander-
SOM House leader in the movement
TO start paying old-age pensions to
persons IS in 1897, said he has be-
come convinced that objective is
financially impractical and that he
is willing to go along with the ad-
ministration program.
Others Echo His Views
1--WE learned that many of the
counties will be unable to bear their
share of the financial burden neces-
STATED by the 65-year provision I'M
till 1898, Rep. Black said. The adj
mlnlStration program calls for pay
ments on the 65-year basis in 1893.
Other House members who have
been sympathetic to Rep. Blacks
demands that the old-age relief be
administered on a more liberalized
basis in 1897 echoed his views.
Consequently, the causcuS tonight
is expected to vote in favor of the
administration program. It voted
1928 in favor Of the administration
program the night before the ses-
sion opened, but reconsidered the
decision and postponed final action
until tonight.
GOV. McNutt expressed himself as
very pleased" with the progress the
special session has made thus far
in enactment of the social security
measures.
Denies Making Overtures
He denied that he had made
peace overtures to the Indiana
County and Township Officials AS
ISOLATION, which is opposing the adj
ministration's welfare BILL but said
the door was open and he was will
ing to discuss features of the bill''
Objectionable to the county and
township group.
Meanwhile, both the House and
Senate proceeded swiftly today with
the business before it.
The Senate took up consideration
Of the employment insurance bill,
hearing it read by sections, while
the members checked each para
graph dealing with its administers
ton and the machinery for its
operation.
Tariff provisions of the measure
we're withheld, pending study of the
administrative setup.
Measure Is Explained
The measure wasfexplained brief
~ to the Senate by Senator Hhur-
man Gottschalk Cd, Berne), MEM
Der of the state budget committee
and the joint legislative committee
which drew up the three social Sc
curity bills on the employment IN
Surance, welfare and public health.
The latter measure was advanced
to second reading yesterday by the
Senate with indications there may
not be objections to it.
Minority members raised some OBJ
jections today to the job insurance
bill. Senator William Jenner (R.,
Paolil, said he believed the measure
to be unconstitutional because Of
the United States Supreme Courts
action on the AAA
He was assured by Senator Gott-
schalk that the proposed state
measure contains ample provision
for repayment of the pay roll levies,
if the Federal companion measure
is held unconstitutional.
Before this afternoons hearing.
Chamber officers, declarey they
would support an unemployment in
surance measure which would aftect
Turn to Pare Three