The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-02-17

piled with a copy of the resolution
which was passed. One hundred were
printed and mailed.
The action of the Commercial club
last night was a distinct surprise.
About 1 o'clock in the afternoon. c.
x. Holiday sent notices of a special
meeting to be held last night. to the
newspapers. Asked what the meeting
was for. he replied: Il don't know.
Some of the members want to talk
railroad matters"
The constitution and bylaws of the
club permit the calling of a special
meeting upon the request of three
members, by simply printing call in
the newspapers I did what was re-
quired Of me-" said Mr.. Holiday this
morning. Il am not a messenger boy,
SO that I have to run out and tell
every member when meeting is to be
held. The gathering was perfectly
legal and according to the provisions
of the bylaws and charter of our or
ganization-
Those who wanted the action of the
club of last Friday night rescinded,
maintained that all they cared for was
to unite the hands of Shawnee,s rep
resentatives in the legislature. and let
them vote. according to the dictates OF
their best judgment"
To this effect. p. T. Bonebrake Of
fered the following resolutions:
Whereas, The Commercial club of
the city of Topeka, on the 10th day of
February 1905, passed a resolution
instructing our representatives in the
legislature TO vote for a bill pending
before the legislature comforting GER
tain powers upon the railroad COM
nlissiOners of the state of Kansas, and,
Whereas. The said resolution was
passed by the Commercial club with
out a full representation and due con-
sideration as to the effect of said pro-
posed legislation upon the business in
terests of the city of Topeka and.
Whereas, The said bill as it now
as too drastic and far reaching and
will seriously affect the business in
terests of the city of Topeka, and,
Whereas We have unlimited con-
fidence in the integrity and business
judgment of our representatives in
the legislature, and believe that they
viii act for the best interests of our
people If left free to vote and take
such steps as they may in their judg-
ment deem wise and necessary.
Therefore, Be it Resolved, That
the said resolution heretofore passed
by this club be modified TO the ex-
tent that we submit the entire matter
of railroad legislation to ocr repre-
sentatives for such action as they may
deem wise and prudent in perform
ing their duty.
Judge T. F. Carver, father Of the
Carver bill was present and he at
once opposed the resolution. He first
thought that it was improper to act
on the matter last night because so
little notice had been given of the meet
ing. He then launched into the merits
of the resolution, and declared that
the law now being discussed by the
Kansas legislature is not as drastic
as that of Iowa, illinois. Nebraska,
Texas or Missouri He reviewed at
a good, careful board of railroad COM
missioners reviewing and adjudicating
freight rates over the state.
A discussion over the matter started
Eugene Hagan got the floor and pour
ed oil on the troubled waters. LET
Judge Carver" he declared. make his
long talk to the legislators. They are
paid to stand still and listen. They
cannot get away All that we are try
ing to do now, is to unite the hands
Of our representatives. That 1 think
is fair"
Judge Carver moved that adjourn
ment he taken unit Friday night at
s O'Clock, for further discussion of the !
matter a motion was made to table |
this and voted on in the affirmative. |
Mr.. Bonebrake's resolution was them
presented and carried with but a few
dissenting votes There were twenty
SIX members of the Commercial club |
present. Several who were present
did not vote.
The resolution which was passed at |
the last regular meeting of the club |
and caused the trouble was as follows: |
" hereas, A bill is pending before |
me legislature OF THIS state providing !
Tor comforting upon the board of rail- |
road commissioners enlarged power, so
unat such board shall, either upon |
complaint, or upon its own motion, in |
vestigate the schedules of rates and
charges put into effect by the railroads
or the state, and establish in place
thereof, new schedules of rates and
charges If existing schedule of rates
and charges are found to be unreason-
able or diseriminative. and.
Whereas. Experience exclusively
shows that necessary and effective
railroad regulation can only be secured
by the exercise of the power of super
vision and rate making by the state
railroad commissioners, and that only
IN this way can the public and private