Jasper County Democrat, Volume 23, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 August 1920 — STATE HAPPENINGS RECORDED IN BRIEF [ARTICLE]

STATE HAPPENINGS RECORDED IN BRIEF

News Items From AR Over Indiana. GOVERNOR SIGNS TWO BILLS Approves Teachers* Pay Measure and the Two-Platoon System In Fire Departments of Cities Exceedceeding 15,000 Population. Indianapolis, Aug. 6.—Governor Goodrich signed the teachers’ salary bill and the measure compelling the establishment of the two-platoon system in Are departments of cities exceeding 15,000 population. Five other measures passed by the special session of the legislature were rejected. The rejected measures Included the amendments to the county unit road law and the amendment to the state highway commission law whereby contractors could collect 100 per cent of the estimated value of completed new work. Under the constitution Wednesday was the last day for executive action on bills passed by the special session. The teachers' bill provide# for an Increase of approximately 80 per cent, in salaries and establishes SBOO as the minimum that can be paid to any teacher in Indiana. This measure was strenuously opposed by Township trustees and farmers. Senator Oliver Kline of Huntington, chairman of the education committee in the upper house, fought the measure on the floor. He declared that trustees had already made their contracts for the coming school year and that they would not have sufficient funds to pay additional salaries. Aside from lack of revenue to pay salaries there was opposition to the measure because the minimum will tend to lengthen the terms of school in rural communities. This was one of the arguments urged against the bill before its passage. Senator Kline held that rural children should not be kept in school as long as city children because part of their education consists in learning how to wort on the farm. The governor said that he signed two-platoon bill with the understanding that the firemen will not oppose and amendment by the 1021 legislature extending the time for the act to take effect until July 1* 1921. Under the provisions of the act all cities of more than 15,000 population are compelled to institute two platoons in their fire departments. Of-' Helals of several cities told the governor that they will not have enough revenue to establish the new system by the first of the year, but that it could be accomplished by July, 1021, as they will be able to make a levy this year In anticipation of the new expense.