The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-01-11

the executive committee of the cleo
ton of the county organizers.
At the close of the convention, on
motion of w. r. Stubs, the Kansas
semicentennial of 1911 was endorsed.
A meeting of the executive commit
tee was held at the Carey hotel last
night. This committee has the power
to appoint five more members from
the state at large to act with it. Sew
eral names were suggested but the
committee decided to defer action I'M
til more time could be had to discuss
the qualifications of the men sug-
gested. 1t is expected that Chair
man J. s. George will call another
meeting Of the Committee within the
next five days to take up this matter.
D. W. Blaine. of Pratt, was made
chairman of a committee to draft
constitution and bylaws for the or
ganization. Mr.. Blaine said that action
would be taken at once.
Potter for Chairman.
Thomas NJ Potter OF Peabody, who
was made permanent chairman, deIiv-
cred a brief address.
Mr.. Potter said that he realized that
he was not looking into the faces of
those who wished to tear down, but
into the faces of business men, who
feel their business interests are at
stake.
AS I stand here it seems to me that
somebody ought to be leaning forward
rumbling of the peoples voices, he
said Il stood in my stock yards and
representa- tive of the corporate pow
ers came to me and asked me how
much can you stand l want to say
that when I am talked to that way
my blood boils, and, furthermore. we
have stood it long enough.
What combination can stand be-
fore the people when all of Kansas is
united ?"
Mr. Potter need co r.ae,,, II, 5iec,,ee
ing legislators, delegates. congressman,
judges and others who rode on passes.
He touched up" Senator Long by re-
ferring to him as the United States
senator who was compelled to make
four public efforts to explain his posi-
ton on single issue. He made a
vigorous protest against railroad rep
resentatiVeS visiting state conventions
and outlining the work of those con-
ventions. He dealt sarcasticaIy with
all persons who took passes from the
railroads, and caused some amusement
by referring to a soft place a man who
took passes must have in his heart for
the railroads.
Platform Is Adopted.
The committee on resolutions on plat
form, of which ". R. Stubs is chair
man. outlined the convictions of the
meeting. Its report follows:
Resolved, That it is the sense of this
convention that congress should confer
upon the interstate commerce commits
sion, upon their own motion or upon
complaint, power and authority to alter,
change or amend any rate, rule, regula-
ton, schedule or classification establish
ed by any railroad company found to be
unjust, unreasonable or discrininative;
the same to be effective within a reason
aDle time, subject to review of the SUI
preme court; and that the president of
the United States be authorized to ap-
point an assistant attorney general,
whose duty it shall be to make and
prosecute complaints before the inter
state commerce commission.
Would Prohibit Passes.
Resolved. That whereas passenger
transportation has been determined by
the supreme court to be property; and
whereas the railroad companies give
away this property in the form Of passes
10 the amount of a great many thou
sands of dollars every year. it is the
sense of this convention that the inten-
ton of the railroad companies is to in
nuence the recipients with these gifts
and that it partakes of al the essentials
Of a bride; that it is the further sense
of this convention that these passes are
among the most insidiouS insinuatiOn
and dangerous influence in the public
life today. and we, therefore, recommend
that law be enacted which viii make
1t crime for a railroad company to
give any person or persons, except bona
4iae railway employees, any form WHAT
ever OF passenger transportation free
II the above resolution IS enacted, We
favor the reduction Of passenger rates
to two cents mile.
Uniform Railroad Bookkeeping.
Resolved, That we favor a uniform
system of railway bookkeeping. estab-
lished by the interstate commerce COM
mission under the supervision of the
government. similar to the national
banking system
Resolved. That it is the sense OF
this convention that congress should
appoint d commission to make the
same sort Of an investigation of all
railroad expenses and accounts that
have recently been made of the insur-
ance companies Of this country, and we
hereby recommend that our delegation
In congress introduce and support a