The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-12-20
Sedgwiek County Man Wants
Place on Railroad Board.
Says He Understands Mr..
Robson viii Retire.
OPENS UP TWO PLACES.
Mr. Wheatley Only Member to
Ask Reelection.
Hall Still a Candidate for Seere.
tary of State.

Geo. ". Kanavel of Sedgwiek county,
who IS in Topeka today, is said to be
slated for the endorsement Of Sedgwiclx
county as member Of the state board OF
railroad commissioners to succeed J. W.
Robson of Butler county.
MIR. Robson stated some time ago that
he would not make the race tor men,
beTshjp on the board in case his people
seemed to be opposed to such acticn.
Evidently some of the Eighth district
Republicans have taken him at lis word
AMI are booming Kanavel for the en-
dorsement of the district.
Mr.. Kanavel said this morning: IT
shall not be IL position to say what I
viii do about this matter until about the
first Of the year. am considering it..
I have been reliably informed that
Mr.. Robson has about decided to With
draw from the race. I am now waiting
for some of my own business affairs to
take shape before making definite an
nouncement of my intentions concerning
, this position. do not know Of any
candidates for member of the board who
are making an active fight at this time.
with the exception of Mr.. Wheatley.
People have asked me concerning my
attitude on railroad and corporation
matters. 1 can simply say this: That
believe in fair deal for the railroads
4
on the board of railroad commissioners,
I would try to be square with all. That
would be my only platform, and I be-
lieve that it is a platform which can not
| be successfully assailed. I shall go from
Topeka to Chicago to spend Christmas,
and by the time come back to Kansas,
| will be ready to say whether or not
am to be candidate"
Mr.. Kapavel came to Topeka today,
it is understood for the purpose Of talk
5r7n- of
his chances He has held responsible
/ offices under the state at previous times,
being for a long time a member of the
state board of charities. He is a man
of high moral character, and is said to
be entirely free from obligation to the
interests of railroad corporal tions.
Mr.. Robson has done good service on
the state board of railroad commission
ers. He was elected without opposition
TAN political parties uniting in his sup
| port because it was felt that he would
represent the interests Of the shippers
! of the state, he himself being an exusn-
sive grain and cattle shipper.
The voluntary retiI ement of A. d.
Walker from the race for denomination,
and the strong probability that Robson
will do the same, opens up two places
on the board for new men. Geo. Wheat
ley will try to succeed himself.
/ Mr.. Wheatley has been generally set
down heretofore as a. friend of the rail-
road companies, but he has been lining
up strongly on the side of rate regula-
/ ton since it became apparent that the
/ people of the state demanded such ac-
/ ton Wheatley favored a 70 per cent
reduction in the grain rates instead OF
/ the per cent reduction which the board
decided to grant. Since he has put him
| self on record in this fashion, his chances
/ of denomination have frightened con-
| siderably. He has the backing OF tine
/ Third district, which is also out after
| two other good places on the state ticket.
This may hurt Wheatley's chances,
especially IL a strong field OF candidates
come UP for the office Of railroad COM
missioner.
So far the candidates for member
1 ship on the board are few. Cory Of
/ Leavenworth is in the race, but is like
! ly to be eliminated in case Frank Ryan
/ gets the support of that county for
secretary of state. There is talk OF
Alvin Law of Graham county, formerly
/ member of the legislature. Hays
/ White, a prominent boss buster is a
/ factor in the race.
The clash between Carr Taylor. att
torney for the board, and the members
! of the board, has served to rather in
| tensify an easily aroused public senti-
ment against the board. The feeling
| prevails that Taylor will be reappoint-
/ ed for another term, and the result is
| that Wheatley, who for a time seemed
/ to be opposing Taylor, has switched
around, and now is getting quite chun-
my with the boards attorney. 1t seems
| to be another part of the demonstra-
ton which Mr.. Wheatley is making Of
his independence of railroad influence.
Hall a Candidate.
Charles Hall of Russell came to To-
peka today and conferred with some
! Of the politicians about the Sixth dis
| trict situation. Frank Lockhart and
Senator BuschOw. also Of the Sixth. are
in town.
Mr.. Hall declares that he is still
candidate for the Office of secretary of
state. He said.
sT wish to deny the report that
/ have Withdrawn, or am contemplating
withdrawal. I am still in the race for
secretary of state. I don't know why
it is that these reports about my with
drawal are being started all the time
[ have never said anything to indicate
that 1 have withdrawn. I don't know
how my candidacy will affect that of
Mr.. AGcGonigal, or how the affair will
be settled
Frank Iockhart said: Hall would
be a strong candidate. I think that
there will not be two candidates out
for secretary of state from the Sixth.
Either Hall or NcGonigal will with
draw. I do not think that the fight on
Reeder will materialize."
Senator Buschow was down to look
after a bond deal in which he is inter-
ested.