Evening star., 1938-07-29

HARRISBURG, Pa, July 29.-Key
Democrats in Pennsylvania State
Senate said today they had lined up
enough strength to enact Gov. George
H. Earle's program to checkmate a
Forthcoming grand jury investigation
OF the chief executive and 13 asso-
eiates.
Four of the five administration bills
passed the House finally last night,
cleared into the Senate Judiciary Gen.
eral Committee, were amended and
Immediately we're given the first of
three readings.
The Democratic Senator'S proposed
second approval today, final passage
after midnight-when a new legisla-
tive day starts-and House concur
renee in the amendments before dawn
Saturday. Gov. Earle's signature then
would make the bills law.
The bills will pass the Senate.
There will be some dissenters, but we
have the votes" said Thomas E. Kill
eallen OF Allegheny County pitts
burgh).
Senators Confident.
That situation occurred in the
House, The Republicans protested.
Eight Democrats bolted. But the ad-
ministration, taking full advantage of
It's top-heavy majority, swept the
measures through.
I'VE won't have any trouble" OBJ
served Senator John H. Dent of West
moreland County (Greensburg).
Senator Frank w. Ruth of Berks
County Reading) threw his sup
port behind the program.
Il think there is no doubt that
there should be an open investiga-
tion," he said. The Legislatures
power is clear on this. I don't think
there Is anything to it Ohe charges). /.
If they (those back of the grand jury
inquiry had anything they should
have made arrests.
Judge Paul N. Schaeffer was brought
In from Ruths County by the State
Supreme Court to handle the Dauphin
County grand jury inquiry.
Democrats Have 2-to-1 Edge.
The Democrats have . two-to-one
edge In the Senate, with numerical
strength Of 80. Republicans number
Is. The 50th Senator is Weldon C..
Hepburn Of Delaware County. He was
elected on = coalition Democratic
Royal Oak ticket but Is q registered
Republican.
Some Of the Senator's wondered
whether they would be showered
again-as yesterday-by flood Of
telegrans urging opposition to the
program. Telegraph companies esti-
mated 5000 messages came from all
parts Of the State in response to Re-
publican pleas for the home folks" to
protest.
The four bills and the votes by
which they passed the House finally:
Giving the Legislature sole power to
investigate charges against the Gov
ernor and other civil ofacers, 1876 to So.
Creating the Legislative mvestigat-
ing Commission, l43 to so.
Establishing the right Of the attor-
ney general to supersede county prose-
eutors, 141 to 81.
suspending the Dauphin County In
quiry, 1856 to 81.
Dricoll Hits "Fake" Wires.
The so-called fake telegram lobby"
In Congress three years ago was cited
as parallel to the bombardment OF
wire messages protesting Gov. Earle's
legislative program.
Denis ]. Driscoll, former Congress-
man and now chairman OF the States
Public Utility Commission, observed:
Many of these kilograms appear
virtually identical in thought and
wording, resembling to marked de-
gree telegrams which I and other
members of Congress received three
years ago during the debat on tn pub
lie utility act Of 1885, the vast majority
of which kilograms later demon
strated to be fraudulent and part
Of an organized campaign to unduly
influence members in the discharge of
their duties"
Mr.. Driscoll urged every member
Of both houses to scrutinize all tele-
grams with care and. where possible,
TO check upon such kilograms to verify
their authenticity"
BAR TO VOTE VIEWS TODAY.
Special Meeting Called rs Radio
Appeals Reach Public.