The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-05
Legislature to Assemble in Spe-
cial Session
On That Date if Gov. Leedy
Can Get Pledges
TO PASS A RATE LAW.
Bill Has Been Drawn and Sub
mitted to Legislators.
A Majority of the Senators Al
ready Committed to 1t.

If a majority of the members Of the
house of representatives join the ma
jority of the members of the senate in a
pledge already made to the governor to
support a railroad bill cOnferring full
power to regulate rates upon the state
board of railroad commissioners, there
viii be a special session of the legisla-
ture, not later than March L
The governor has taken this step as
an ultimatum and will place the respon-
sibility Tor the failure of railroad leg
islatiOn, if there be a second IalIure,
wholly upon the house OF representa-
o tiVes.
The bill which the legislature will be
expected to pass, if there be special
session, embodies the ideas of the gov
ernOr upon the subject OF railroad leg
islation. 1t was written by E {: Lit
tie, and has been examined and ap-
proved by w. P. Dillard. chairman OF
the board of railroad commissioners,
Attorney General Boyle, eX-Chief JUS
tice Martin and q number of eminent
lawyers in the state.
The bill provides that all freight rates
in effect on Kansas railroads December
81. 1897, shall be the highest rates to be
charged. April 1 the members of the
board will begin hearing the railroads
or the public with reference to rates
May the commissioners are required
to prOmulgate a schedule of rates pre-
pared by them officially for the govern
ment of rates of freight transportation.
During the month of May the railroads
or other aggrieVed persons may file pro-
tests; submit evidence and other docu-
ments in support of their contentious,
and the case must be decided by June
so
July 1 the schedule of rates promul-
gated by the commissioners becomes 4
law and the commissioners are required
to enforce it within ten days thereafter.
The proposed law cOnfers upon the
state board Of railroad commissioners
all the powers OF a district court They
are empowered to make orders issue
Writs and indulge in the exclusive adju-
dicauOn of all matters pertaining to
rates. The decisions OF the board are
not renewable in any district court and
no appeal can be taken except to the
supreme court.
Every county sheriff is REQUIRED to
enforce the orders of the board as he is
required to enforce the orders of a dis
trict court.
To carry on the work of the board or
court, the commissioners are empOw-
cred to select an assistant attorney gen
eral who bears the same relation to the
board that a county attorney bears to
the district court or the board of cOun-
ty commissioners. 1t will be his drtv
TO prosecute all complaints and he will
ne empowered to file complaints or
cause investigations.
Ihe board will also have the right to
near complaints filed by petition
The bll was presented to a meeting of
the executive council and approved bv
them today.
The maximum rate abandonment is
the most conspicuous feature of the pro
posed law.
The governor will send the proposed
law, in printed form, to every member
OF the legislature, ACCOMPANIED bv an
address, and the question: ..WilI Won
pledge yourself to vote for this bill at
special session of the legislature if I
can the legislature tOgether?"
If majority of both houses reD1v il,
the affirmative the Legislature will be
convened Immediately, and not later
than March L. A majority of the mem
rs pers OF the senate have already pledged
themselves to support such a bin. If
Il fails the house of representative will
De responsible, and the governor will
rlSht himself before the people.