Louisiana Votes Down Bounty on Scholars

Louisiana solons, in recent legislative action, failed by the slim margin of five votes to legalize the slaying of Harvard graduates and Rhodes Scholars in that state.

With the provision that "no one shall hereafter be convicted of a crime of murdering any Harvard graduate, Rhodes scholar, or student, except upon the testimony of the deceased in open court," the measure was entitled, "An act to restore peace, tranquility, and sanity to the United States," and was introduced "with the solemn declaration that it had nation-wide endorsement."

Since the 46 favorable votes to 12 lacked five of passing, the bill was returned to the calendar "for reconsideration the next legislative day," slated for May, 1948.

Investigation showed that the measure was a "gag bill" aimed at one of the legislators, a Rhodes scholar, "who spoke and voted against the successful measure doubling the pay of state legislators."