Jasper County Democrat, Volume 9, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 January 1907 — LINING UP FOR REFORM [ARTICLE]

LINING UP FOR REFORM

Republicans in the Legislature Pick Out Five Bills That Will Have to Pass. PROMISED IN THE PLATFORM Investigation of Mine Explosions Suit That Is of Interest to Gas Men —State Items. r Indianapolis, Jan. 24. —The Republican leaders in the house and senate have decided that at least five of the reform measures for which the Republican platform declared during the last campaign shall be passed by the legislature, and a movement has been started to line up the majority members jn their favor. The list includes the bill to create a separate department of Insurance, with a commissioner of Insurance at its head, a private banking bill, a public depository bill, an anti-trust bill and a 2-cent fare bill. They Were on the Platform. The Republican platform specifically declared In favor of these measures, and the campaign was fought by the party along the lines of reform. When the legislature opened the people throughout the state expected that the party would redeem its pledges of reforms, and It Is realized by the leaders, so they say, that the temper of the people cannot be misunderstood or Ignored. Therefore, they have decided, so one of them declared, that at least the five bills mentioned shall be passed. There are orher measures of reform, also, that they say will be passed, but the decision reached, so It said, Is definite so far as these five bills are concerned. Been Hearing from the Voters. As soon ns the leaders had decided on this action they at once began the work of lining up the members of the majority in both houses. They are explaining to them that it is a matter of the utmost Importance to the Republican party that the platform declarations and campaign promises be kept, and that nothing must stand In the way of their fulfillment. During the last few days the members of the legislature have been hearing from their constituents on the subject of these reform measures, and the tone of the lettersand messages that have been received by them has caused them to sit up and take notice. Legislative Notes. In the house the “blind tiger” bill was reported favorably and advanced to second reading. The “full train crew” bill was also reported favorably and advanced. The governor was authorized to use the emergency fund for the relief of Ohio river flood sufferers. The senate passed the joint resolution authorizing the general assembly to appoint a commission to investigate causes of recent mine explosion in Indiana.

IMPORTANT TO GAS MEN Sult in Court That Is to Determine Whether Pumping Stations Are According to Law. Muncie, Ind., Jan. 24. A trial that has begun in the Delaware county circuit court and that will last all week at least will determine whether gas pumping stations are legal. All oil and gas men In the state are highly Interested in the outcome of the suit. There Is scarcely a city or town in the state that uses natural gas. which is not dependent on pumps to bring the gas to the place where it is to be used, nnd if it should be decided that the use of gas pumps is illegally natural gns companies may about as well retire from business in Indiana. The Ho Oil company Is suing the Indiana Natural Gas and Oil company for damages and a permanent Injunction to restrain the latter from using its big gas pumps near Fairmount. The Ho company, which has extensive gas Interests in Grant county, alleges that

when the Indian* company oegan operating It* pumps at Fairmount, the Ho noticed a decided diminution in its own supply, where upon it brought suit for damages and to enjoin the Indiana company from using pumps. The complaint was held good by Judge Paulus, of the Grant county circuit court, and the case was then taken to Delaware county on a change of venue.