Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-03-08
FATE OF THE KANSAS RAILROAD
BILL TO BE KNOWN TO-DAY.
VETO GENERALLY EXPECTED.
A STATE OFFICIAL SAYS IT HAS
BEEN DECIDED UPON.
Strong Pressure Being Brought to
Bear Upon the Governor to Dis
approve the BiII-VetO VIII
BE UpheId-LegisIa-
tive News.

Topeka. Kas. March 7.-(Special0 The
fate of the railroad bill which has been
passed by both branches of the legislature
will be known tomorrow. Governor Leedy.
with his private secretary, h. C. Little,
spent several hours to-day at the executive
office. considering the measure. 1t was
gone over section by section very carefully.
and no one but the governor and his secre-
tary knows what conclusion was reached
concerning the governors proposed actions.
From the event which transpired to-
day, however, it is the general belief
that Leedy will veto the bill. although
there are many who claim that he will
sign it under protest and send ringing
message TO the legislature criticisns the
Populists for passing such a measure.
At the conclusion of a conference of Pop
ulists, composed of state officials and men,
bers of the legislature, state official
stated that Governor Leedy had decided
to veto the bill. but he declined to say that
he spoke with authority.
Those who are of the opinion that he
will veto it base their belief on the actions
of the maximum freight rate advocates
who are rushing around getting signatures
TO petition pIedging the governor their
support of Il Veto 1t is said that the petit
tion was circulated at the request of the
governor himself. He did not want to Veto
Il bill and then have the legislature pass
it over his head leaving him up in the air.
Forty-three signatures have been obtained
among the house members-just enough to
prevent the passage of the bill over the
veto. Chairman Brown, of the railroad COM
mittee, who lad something to do with the
petition, said that several others declared
they would sustain the governor by their
votes, but would not sign a petition. He
hgures that at least fifty votes can be
mustered in defense of the governors ac-
tion in returning the bill to the house with
out his signature.
In case the governor does veto the bill
he will accompany it with a redhot mes
sage demanding more radical legislation,
and the house and senate has also been
canvassed on this proposition. 1t is said
that he will favor the amendment offered
Mitchell. when the bill was under consid-
Grafton in the house as a committee of the
whole. This amendment provided for 4 10
per cent reduction in the freight rate sched-
ule in force on January /. of this year and
the same be made the maximum rate. 1t
also provided for a change in the rate
every six months. If necessary. and that
the railroad commissioners should sit twice
a year to hear complaints and fix rates for
the ensuing six months. This amendment.
II is said, was drawn by L. C. Little pri-
vate secretary to the governor. The max
imum crowd claim to have won over John
son. of Chase; Marks, of Jefferson. ard
bIdFtS, Ol LedVenWOrtn- In committee OF
the whole, the amendment to give the rail-
road commissioners power to fix maximum
rates was defeated by margin of only
three votes. The vote stood 81 to IS. The
change of the three members mentioned
would make a big difference.
In case OF veto an effort will be made
10 revive the railroad legislation this term
and Chairman Brown says he believes that
a bill can be rushed through the house but
he believes Ii will fail in the senate If this
thing happens, then he looks for an extra
session.
Senator Campbell Populist. of Labette
believes that the railroads are behind the
movement to have the governor veto the
bill. They are afraid of it, said he The
bill Is stronger than the people think, and
L believe that if it is permitted to become
a law 1t will accomplish much good 1t
gives the people at home an opDortunfty
TO say what they believe is d fair freight
rate for their vicinity. and what better
thing could the people ask than that? When
complaint IS made to the commissioners
ana decision is reached, If it is not salts
FACTORY, then an appeal can be taken to
the district court in the county where the
complaint originated and the merits of the
case will be tried before a Jury Now. If
the people Of county cannot trust a ;ury
composed of taxpayers of that county to
do them justice, il is folly to think that
some commission would.
tell you. it is the railroads that are
Kicking against this bill. and they will he
glad If II Is vetoed. They don't want the
fixing of freight rates left in the hands ~
jury in the neighborhood where rates are
considered too high"