Kansas City daily journal., 1897-02-06
W. T.. BROWN WANTS TO CONTROL
RAILROAD LEGISLATION.
HAVING A HARD TIME OF 1T.
LOCKS HIS COMMITTEE IN TO BRING
THEM TO TERMS.
Calls in Scrgeant-nt-Arms to Pre-
serve Order-LiveIy Time Mt Last
Nights Meeting-LoDger Leg
isIatfon Session Proposed
Other News.

Topeka, Nas, Feb. 5.-(Special) The
members of the house committee on rail-
reads came near having a regular knock
down and drag-out' time at their session
this afternoon. They became so boIsterous
that 4 sergeant-at-arms had TO be called
in TO preserve order. The rumpus started
over the arbitrary manner in which Chair
man Brown, of Pratt, conducted affairs.
Brown wants to be the sole dictator of rail-
road legislation. He proposed Il bill. and
ordered the other members to sign it, which
they refused 10 do until they had read 1t.
Finally he furnished them copies, and the
meeting this afternoon was for the purpose
of reading the bill, section by section, and
passing uponi it.
The first question that arose was whether
10 recommend for passage what Is common
ly called a maximum bill or one giving au-
thcrity TO the railroad commission TO fix
rates. The only difference, as Brown eX-
planned, between the two, was that one
fixed a schedule as a basis on which the
commissioners could make rates, while the
other left the basis fixing 10 the commits
sicners Browns bill fixed a schedule
while the bill of Keefer, of Leavenworth
left the matter with the commissioners. a
vote was taken, and resulted II to 6 in
favor, of Brown. Those voting with him
were Fairchild, Merrill, Rothweiler, jamie
son; Jaquins. Russell. Fulton, Ward Bas- las
votes Of Jones, Burtis, Henley, Try and
Brooke
When Brown saw he had the committee
he began to run things with high hand.
lie did not even think it worth while to let
the committeeman read the bill through.
This arbitrary ruling caused revolt, not
only among those opposed TO Brown. but
also in his own ranks. Keefer claimed that
such proceedings were an outrage and
should be resented. He claimed that there
were other potatoes in the hill besides
Brown, and that each one has as much
voice in the doings of the committee.
Brown replied in a sarcastic manner,
claiming that keefer wanted 10 delay prog
ress. This charge was denied. About this
roughshod for his attempted dictatorial
policy. Brown stood Ills ground. He said
he had TO do it If there was to be any rail-
way legislation this session. He kept press
ing things for a favorable report without
due consideration. He said: The bill is all
right, for drew 1t, and wanted the COM
mittee TO take his opinion for it and sign it.
Henley. Fairchild and Simmons then
broke into the scrap, declaring they would
the members rushed to the hatrack to get
their headgear, with view TO leaving.
Brown sprang to the door, locked it and
put the key in his pocket. ''The only way
you will get out is to jump out the win
dow" he shouted. I'VE will Just stay here
and consider the bill.' He then called for
an assistant sergeant-at-arms to help pre-
was restored, and Brown withdrew his OBJ
lection TO its reading by sections and the
committee began its consideration. The
rest of the afternoon was spent on 1t, and
at a late hour tonight the work had not
been completed.