The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-10-14
NOFTzCERSAYSNO
Denies Responsibility for Ma
nipuIation of a Bill.
Talks About His Coal COnfisca-
tf0n Measure.
WAS IN FAVOR OF 1T.
Wanted Bill Passed to Put Stop
to Confiscation.
Gives in Detail His Record in
the Case.
WAS IN FAVOR OF 1T.

Senator T. A. Noftzger of Harper
county denies the allegation that he is
responsible for the manipulation of the
bill in the last legislature to suit the
railroads. The bill was manipulated
until it practically legalized the con-
fiscation of coal, in which shape the
senate passed it, and this resulted in it's
dying in the house The house refused
to pass it in that shape and there was
not sufficient time to amend it and put
it into proper shape.
Senator Noftzger, who, as chairman
of the committee which Investigated the
coal confiscation outrages last winter,
framed the bill and looked after its pas
sage, has been blamed with its manipu-
lation in the interest of the railroads,
and it has been making him trouble.
but he says the manipulation was &C
complished over his protest. He places
the blame for the amendment of the bill
at the door of Senator r. B. Ward of
Republic county.
There were two bills in which was
specially interested" said Senator Noft-
zger Tuesday in discussing the matter.
lone was this coal confiScation bill and
| the other was a bill to do away with
the mortgage redemption business of
| eighteen months.
IF you will read the testimony taken
| by the committee which investigated the
] coal cOnnScal1On business you VIII Iuu
that I personally examined the Witness
eS and that I brought out all the facts
possible. I am specially interested IN
the coal cOnfiScatiOn matter because 1t
is a serious question with my people,
especially those in the western part of
my district where there is no fuel ex-
cept the coal that is imported. When
the railroads confiscate all that Is ship
ped out there it becomes serious mat
ter Last winter there was danger OF
absolute suffering at times because the
railroads took so much coal that the
people had none to keep them warm
The Rock Island contiscated thlrty-six
cars from one dealer, and not only
caused a shortage but actually forced
that man out of business.
For this reason 1 was anxious to
have a bill passed that would stop coal
confiscation, and 1 personally intro
duced the two bills along this line after
our investigation, one prohibiting the
confscation of coal consigned to pub
lie institutions. and the other DrOhsbi
ing the confiscation of coal consigned
to individuals The railroad companies
did not like them, and railroad attor-
ney asked me to let them go to a
committee. I refused, because they
were practically committee bills-bills
of the coal Investigation committee. By
that time l had got the bills advanced
to the head of the calendar in the sen
the railroads asked to let them appear
before our committee and have a hear
ing before we put them through. They
said if we didn't give them a hearing
they would fight the bills in the house,
so we consented. I had to be aEaV
the next morning for while, and
told Lieutenant Governor Hanna to
pass over the coal bills that day, hut
when the bills came up Senator Fitz-
patrick was in the chair and he knew
nothing OF the committees agreement.
The first bill was passed and they were
discussing the second one when 1 went
in. l explained the matter and asked
to have the bill laid over one dav. ard
also asked that the bill already passed
might be recalled from the house.
THAT night we had committee meet
ing at which the entire committee was
present except Senator Mcmillan. and the
railroad attorneys presented their objec-
tions. We agreed to take off the penalty
for delaying coal shipped to state insti-
buttons, because the railroad men said
the roads were as anxious to rush ship
the cars, but the committee absolutely re-
fused to remove the penalty making it a
misdemeanor to confiscate coal consigned
| to private parties, and 1 was spokesman
! of the committee The railroad represen-
! tatves said if didn't they would go on
/ to the floor of the senate and make a
fight there, and that is just what they did
| the next day. Senator Ward moved the
amendment which the railroads wanted,
prescribing that if the railroads confis-