Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 August 1917 — STATE NEWS ITEMS [ARTICLE]

STATE NEWS ITEMS

The Doings of Hoosierdom Reported by Wire. COAL BILL IS FINISHED Final Draft of Measure Will Be Shown to Several Leaders by Governor Goodrich—Drawn by Thompson and Cox. Indianapolis, Aug. 17. —The final draft of the state coal bill will be shown to several leaders of the legislature by Governor Goodrich. The bill was prepared by W. H. Thompson, prominent Republican attorney, and former Supreme Court Judge Charles Cox, a Democrat. It was stated that the bill is drastic in its specifications for state control of the Indiana coal mines, giving ample powers to the state to prevent any circumvention of the purpose of the bill. The special session probably will begin about September 1. Several of the legislators ■nay be present in military uniform, as the governor plans to ask for furloughs for members now in the military service. Both Lieutenant Governor Bush and Speaker Jesse Eschelbach will be present. Among the other legislators invited are: Representatives McGonagle, Wright of Randolph, Behmer, Dilworth, Cravens, Gorski, Haslinger and Houghton: Senators Gemmill, Elaner, McConaghy, Chambers. Hudgins, VanAuken, McKinley, English, Fleming and Bracken, A stone was held over the heads of coal miners as the result of dissatisfaction expressed by many miners over a reduction in the price of coal, fearing their own wages will be reduced. The Third district exemption board put the question as to whether miners shall be exempted under the selective draft up to Governor Goodrich. The governor informed them that if they were released from military service on the ground that they could be of more service in mining coal they would have to “play ball.” T. E. Dempsey, the Illinois public service commissioner, is expected here to discuss the coal situation.