Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 37, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 February 1905 — INDIANA LAWMAKERS. [ARTICLE]

INDIANA LAWMAKERS.

The Newhonsg railroad commission bill, amended to conform with the views of the railroads and shippers, was passed in the Senate Monday by a vote of 42 to 0. The bill creates a commission of three members with’ power to review rates and to adjust those found to be inequitable. Appeals from the decisions of the commission shall he made to the State Appellate Court. Rebates and discriminates are prohibited, penalties being prescribed for the railroad that grants rebates and for the shipper who asks them. T|ie commissioners shall re•eive a salary of $4,000 a year. A secretary shall receive $2,500 and a stenographer $1,500. The commission shall maintain an office in Indianapolis, but at its discretion may travel about the State and sit in the counties where complaints arise. t In the. Senate Tuesday the inheritance tax bill was passed applying only to collateral inheritances. The public health committee reported in favor of adding an osteopath to the State board of medical registration. The weekly wage bill was up for special order in the nftw.noon. In the House the drainage committee reported the codification bill with amendments. The bill allowing foreign lire insurance companies to submit ns part of their assets bonds of cities out of the State was defeated. The Ncwhouse railroad commission, passed by the Senate, reached the House. —ln the Senate Wednesday a majority report in favor of the codification commission bill on cities and towns Was adopted. A hill was passed to increase salary of secretary of State board of health and secretaries of county hoards of health. Senator Davis’ hill against the usg of railroad passes by public officials was advanced to engrossment without amendment and without debate. In the House the criminal code committee reported unanimously for Iluick’s hill to permit playing of baseball on Sunday for pay. The negotiable instrument bill to make Indiana law uniform with many other States was killed. Representative Brtinattgh introduced a bill that would prevent a. murderer from inheriting property front the person murdered. The ways and means committee reported a bill for agricultural experiments at Purdue, witl* amendment providing tliat after next year the expense, shall be paid oitt of the appropriations for Purdue university. A bill for regulation of private banks was up for second reading in the Senate Thursday, and amendment requiring annual examination by Auditor of State was defeated. A bill was introduced to give State Auditor power to send tax ferrets into other States to discover mortgages held by citizens of Indiana. This is to be substituted for the Stansbury tax ferret bill authorizing the Auditor of State to go into Indiana counties. Iu the House the rights and privileges committee reported unanimously for the passage of the Guirl anti-trust bill. The Newhouse bill for Southeastern Insane hospital was passed and is ready for the Governor's signature. The Senate bill to legalize action of State tax board increasing land valuations was reported against. Resolution was adopted in favor of “Star-Spangled Banner” without omitting stanza referring to threat Britain. Many petitions for the Parks anti-cigarette bill were received.