of building a waterway fourteen feet deep, with mighty miter sills deeper than that, if the Legislature advises it, clear down to the Illinois River. We got those provisions by calling attention to the fact that the City of Chicago in building her ship canal had expended almost $100,000,000 in building one of the greatest canals in all the world, twenty-four feet deep in the rock channels. The provision went in the bill because we showed to the Congress of the United States what Illinois had done. We told Congress what Illinois was going to do. We did not tell them they were going to build an eight-foot waterway with miter sills eight feet deep, or that million would never have been in there. We told them the miter sills would be down at least fourteen feet deep, it would be the kind of waterway that amounted to something in the water traffic of the North American Continent, and with that kind of representation they put in the million dollars. Now when we go back and say we were mistaken, -and those speeches are unfortunately recorded in the Congressional Record and in the hearings before the committee,-when they say, why did you say to us that you were going to put your miter sills down at least fourteen feet? so we would not have to tear them up and replace them with newer; so you have spent a million four hundred thousand for building locks which must be destroyed or abandoned for letting little cats through,—and you expect us to co-operate after you have done this? There are more States in this Nation than Illinois, and if we do this it is the end, in my judgment, for years and years to come, of any assistance from the National Government. Mr. SMITH (Sangamon). I notice that this bill provides for the payment of damages; that they shall be paid out of the money appropriated for the construction of this waterway. I would like to ask if there has been any estimate made of the amount of damages which will have to be levied by reason of the construction of this waterway? Mr. RAINEY. I know no such estimate, from any possible source. In fact, you are asked here to buy a pig in a poke. I don't know how much it is going to cost to complete this waterway or how much the damages will be, except that we know, according to the statement we have just heard, that it is going to cost a good deal more than five million dollars. Mr. SMITH (Sangamon). If I understand you right, the passage of this eight-foot waterway bill would be contrary to the representations that were made in Congress and the representations that were made to the people of this State, which resulted in the adoption of the twenty million dollar amendment; is that correct? Mr. RAINEY. Absolutely contrary and in bad faith, and that is the reason I am clearing my skirts this afternoon. Mr. COLEMAN (LaSalle). I would like to call the gentleman's attention to line 6 of section 12 of the bill on page 20, the damages to land of $318,250, estimated in the bill? Mr. RAINEY. Unfortunately, the State of Illinois is not limited by that amount. If the State agrees to pay all these damages the State will have to pay them eventually. There would be no way of appropriating $318,000 among the people who were damaged. Mr. DAILEY (Peoria). Isn't it true, Congressman, the State would have to pay the farmers of Southern Illinois any damage they sustain? Mr. RAINEY. You have carefully avoided it in this bill. If we can make them do it, they probably will, but you have not provided for it in this bill. You cannot apportion $313,000 in the courts; if that is not enough you will have to pay whatever is required. I thank the Senators for their courtesy, and I am through unless someone else desires to ask any more questions. Mr. JEWELL (Fulton). I don't know that I understand it thoroughly and I would like your judgment on the proposition of whether or not this project would cause an increased flow of water down the Illinois River which would result in the overflow of the bottom lands to a greater extent than the danger which now exists? Mr. RAINEY. We built levees along the Illinois River and I have inspected every mile of them; I have seen every mile of levee along the Mississippi River by daylight. We have built levees of dirt, all except one levee. We have built these levees, all of them, since this water was turned in from the Lake. We have built them to meet the present flow of waters from the Lake, an increase up to the amount authorized by the State of Illinois without taking those dams out in the lower river, and you cannot take them out under this bill and the Government won't take them out. In my judgment it will cause inestimable damage to all those magnificent drainage districts along the Illinois River from Peoria all the way down to the mouth of the river. I thank you. (Applause.) At the conclusion of the address, on motion of Mr. Denvir, a vote of thanks was tendered Mr. Rainey and to Mr. Alschuler for their consideration in addressing the Senate of the pending bill. On motion of Mr. Denvir it was ordered that each Senator be allowed five minutes in which to explain his vote on the bill if he so desired. And the question then being, "Shall this bill pass?" it was deicded in the affirmative by the following vote: Yeas, 33; nays, 9; answering present but not voting, 4. Abt The following voted in the affirmative: Messrs. Andrus Austin Bailey Baldwin Barr Boehm The following voted in the negative: Messrs. Campbell Bardill Answering present but not voting: Messrs. Haase Hull Ordered that the title be as aforesaid, and that the Secretary inform the House of Representatives thereof. A message from the House by Mr. Vogel, Assistant Clerk: Mr. President-I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has concurred with the Senate in the adoption of the following preamble and joint resolution, to wit: SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION No. 14. WHEREAS, The proposition of uniformity of certain laws has been the subject of much agitation throughout the various states of the Union; WHEREAS, Much commendable criticism has been expressed in editorial columns of newspapers in the nation and by associations of citizens who believe in the advancement of legislation in the interest of social justice and political economy; and, WHEREAS, There are now assembled in session more than 40 of the 48 state legislatures in sister states in the Union; and, WHEREAS, The variety of laws in various states on identical subjects vary to such an extent as to become perplexing; and, WHEREAS, Such condition of affairs could be materially remedied and lead to advancement and a better understanding by the people engaged in commercial enterprises, throughout the length and breadth of the land, in having universal laws enacted which would be clearly defined in preference to 48 separate rules construed in 48 ways by as many courts. Resolved, by the Senate of the State of Illinois, the House of Representatives concurring therein, That a committee consisting of five Senators and five Representatives, to be appointed by the Executive Committee of the Senate and the Speaker of the House, respectively, be and they are hereby appointed and that the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House shall be ex officio members of said committee, which shall be known as the Committee on Uniformity of State Laws, for the purposes of assembling in a convention with committees of sister state legislatures, to discuss and take action on the property of adopting uniform State laws on such subjects as may be agreed upon and reporting and recommending the same for enactment to their respective legislatures; further Resolved, That a copy of this resolution attested by the President and Secretary of the Senate and the Speaker and Clerk of the House, be forwarded to each branch of the legislature of every state in the United States, where such legislatures are now in session, respectfully requesting the appointment by them of committees as in their judgment may be expedient to the end that a Congress of State Legislative Committees may be assembled to take action on the uniformity of such laws as may be propitious; further Resolved, That in such states where no sessions of the legislature are being held in this year, or where sessions have been held and adjourned, certified copy of these resolutions be sent to the governors, with a request that similar committees for the purpose herein expressed be appointed by the executives of such states to meet and participate with the legislative committees in convention; further Resolved, That the solicitor or law secretary of the Senate, and the legal ̧ secretary of the House, be directed under instructions of the committee herein, appointed to arrange the necessary details for the meeting and organization of such Congress of Legislatures, in the event of favorable concerted action, approval of and adoption of similar resolutions on the part of a majority of other state legislatures; further Resolved, That should the emergency arise therefor, the committee is hereby authorized and empowered to subpoena witnesses and the production of books, papers and documents and the committee may appoint such clerks and assistants as may be essential to carry into effect the purposes of this resolution and the committee shall receive its actual expenses and the assistants shall receive such compensation as the committee may determine, which shall be paid out of an appropriation, which shall be made therefor, on vouchers duly certified to by the chairman of the committee and the Auditor of Accounts, and the Treasurer shall pay the same; further · Resolved, That said committee shall make its report and recommendations, together with any proposed bill or bills agreed on as the result of the deliberations of such convention, to the General Assembly, or to an intervening special session if one be called, and the subject herein expressed be included in such call, providing the same shall be practical. Concurred in by the House, May 26, 1915. B. H. MCCANN, Clerk of the House. Mr. Curtis, from the Committee on Appropriations, to whom was referred a bill, Senate Bill No. 308, for “An Act making appropriations for the University of Illinois," Reported the same back with a substitute therefor, with the recommendation that the original bill be laid on the table, and that the subsitute do pass. The report of the committee was concurred in, and, On motion of Mr. Curtis, the original bill was ordered to lie on the table, and the substitute, being Senate Bill No. 541, a bill for "An Act making appropriations for the University of Illinois," Was, under the rules, read at large a first time, ordered to a second reading, and to be printed. Mr. Curtis, from the Committee on Appropriations, to whom was referred a bill, Senate Bill No. 282, for "An Act for the appointment of commissioners and making an appropriation for the construction and erection of a monument in memory of Lyman Trumbull of Chicago, Cook County, Illinois," Reported the same back with the recommendation that the bill do pass and that it be ordered to a first reading. Under the rules, the bill was ordered to a first reading, and was immediately taken up and read at large a first time, and ordered to a second reading. The President of the Senate presented a communication from Senator Shaw asking indefinite leave of absence on account of illness, which leave, on motion, was granted. Mr. Curtis, from the Committee on Appropriations, to whom was referred a bill, House Bill No. 885, for "An Act to provide for the payment of fifty per cent of the expense, costs and charges for burying, disinfecting premises, disinfectants, certain claims for animals slaughtered, and assistant veterinarians' services, paid out and provided on account of the slaughter of live stock to suppress the foot and mouth disease, and to make an appropriation therefor,' Reported the same back with amendments thereto, and recommended that the amendments be adopted, and that the bill as amended do pass, and that it be ordered to a second reading. Under the rules, the bill was ordered to a second reading, and to be printed with the amendments. Mr. Curtis, from the Committee on Appropriations, to whom was referred a bill, House Bill No. 912, for "An Act for an appropriation for the repair and re-arrangement of the interior of the Capitol Building," Reported the same back with the recommendation that the bill do pass and that it be ordered to a second reading. Under the rules, the bill was ordered to a second reading. Mr. Curtis, from the Committee on Appropriations, to whom was referred a bill, House Bill No. 930, for "An Act making appropriations for the ordinary and other expenses of the State charitable institutions herein named," Reported the same back with the recommendation that the bill do pass and that it be ordered to a second reading. Under the rules, the bill was ordered to a second reading. Mr. Curtis, from the Committee on Appropriations, to whom was referred a bill, House Bill No. 605, for "An Act making an appropriation for county fairs or other agricultural societies of the State of Illinois," Reported the same back with amendments thereto, and recommended that the amendments be adopted, and that the bill as amended do pass, and that it be ordered to a second reading. Under the rules, the bill was ordered to a second reading, and to be printed with the amendments. Mr. Curtis. from the Committee on Appropriations, to whom was referred a bill, House Bill No. 929, for "An Act making appropriations for the State charitable institutions herein named," Reported the same back with amendments thereto, and recommended that the amendments be adopted, and that the bill as amended do pass, and that it be ordered to a second reading. Under the rules, the bill was ordered to a second reading, and to be printed with the amendments. re Mr. Barr, from the Committee on Judiciary and Judicial Practice, to whom was referred a bill, Senate Bill No. 26, for “An Act authorizing courts of record to suspend sentence and parole adult persons guilty for the first time of certain criminal offenses, and authorizing the appointment of a Registrar to aid in carrying out its provisions," Reported the same back with the recommendation that the bill do pass and that it be ordered to a first reading. Under the rules, the bill was ordered to a first reading, and was immediately taken up and read at large a first time, and ordered to a second reading. At 2:10 o'clock p. m., on motion of Mr. Roos, the Senate went into Executive Session. Mr. Roos made the following report: To The Honorable, The President of the Senate: The committee appointed by the Senate to consider the vacation, nominations made by the Governor to the Senate, March 24, 1915, beg leave to report and recommend that the Senate advise and consent to the following nominations: Civil Service Commission: James H. Burdett, Chicago, Cook County, to succeed himself; appointed August 14, 1913. Member of Board of Managers of the Illinois State Reformatory: Charles W. Elliott, Galesburg, Knox County; vice C. H. May, removed; appointed November 7, 1913. State Fire Marshall: Walter H. Bennett, Quincy, Adams County; vice J. C. LaBoskey, resigned; appointed January 14, 1914. Member Industrial Board: Robert Eadie, Springfield, Sangamon County; appointed December 19, 1913, for the four-year term. Member of the Board of Pharmacy: Frederick P. Provose, Chicago, Cook County; vice J. C. Wheatcroft, resigned; appointed August 3, 1913. Respectfully submitted, FRED B. Ross, E. J. HUGHES, The question then being, "Shall the report of the committee be adopted and the Senate advise and consent to the foregoing nominations ?" and the yeas and nays being called, it was decided in the affirmative by the following vote: Yeas, 42; nays, 1. The following voted in the affirmative: Messrs. On motion of Mr. Ettelson, the Executive Session arose and the Senate resumed the consideration of business. On motion of Mr. Denvir, Senate Bill No. 523, for "An Act to amend an Act entitled, 'An Act to enable West Chicago Park Commissioners to issue bonds for the building, improvement and maintenance of public parks, boulevards, and pleasureways under their control, and to provide for the payment thereof,' approved May 20, 1915, in force May 20, 1915," Having been engrossed, and printed as engrossed, was taken up and read at large a third time, |