The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-02-28
VOTE WAS CLOSE
Senate Passes a Passenger Rate
Bill.
Provides for Mileage Books at
Two Cents Per Mile.
Gil n, NIA NJ Ii II
A CHANGE IS MADE.
Travellers May Get a 500 Nile
Book.
interchangeable Books 1000
Niles Provided For.
Final Vote on the Bill Was
10 to 90.

Although the senate adopted the
Noftzger plan of reducing passenger
rates, the anti crowd in the senate
managed to have one important
amendment made in that bill, which
fixes it so that the railroads will have
to sell 500 mile tickets at the rate OF
2 cents a mile. That is the best the
senate could do for the 2-cent mile
proposition. The man who travels a
good deal will get the benefit of the
rate; the man who takes only short
trip now and then will pay the old fare
of cents a mile-that if, if the senate
bill becomes a law.
The fact about the whole days work
that shows a change of front was that
the 2-cent crowd managed to gather
together a total of 19 votes on the final
test. This is the largest number to as
semble under the square deal" banner
at any one time during the entire seS-
sion of the senate. If other senators
get into line, the anti-pasS bill Will be
put through today by the senate. This
was the final test vote, taken on Sem
ator Brewers motion to disagree with
the recommendations of the commit
tee of the whole in favor of the Noftz-
ger bill:
For the Noftzger bill-Benson,
Belts, Buschow, Caldwell, Conner,
Fitzpatrick. Fulton. Gilbert, Griffin,
Hamme, Harrison, Haskell. Huffman.
Martin of Woodson, Noftzger. Porter
of Crawford, Porter of Montgomery
.Smith, Waggener. Wilkerson- GOD
Against the Noftzger bill-Blaker.
Brewer. Carver. Chapman, Dolley,
Getty. Hayden, Hodges, Hughes. Low
er. Martin of Bourbon, Miller, Quincy,
Robertson, Simons, Stannard, Stewart,
Tucker, Young. (19.)
What the Bill Provides.
The senate bill, as finally passed.
leaves general passenger fares at g.
cents per mile, but requires railroads
to sell 500 mile mileage books, not in
terchangeable among different roads,
and good only for the original pur-
chaser for a period of one year, for
$40. or 2 cents per mile. The bill also
requires that 1000 mile books be sold
original purchaser within IS months,
for $50, with a rebate of $3.50. I'm
used portions of either the 500 or
1000 mile books can be redeemed on
ton used. At present the railroads
sell 1000 and 1000 mile books. nom
interchangeable, for $25 and $50 re-
spectively.
Cut Out Favored Glasses.
Senator simons made the frs,
require the railroads to give a rate of
IL cents per mile to old soldiers.
Then Senator DoIley wanted to ex-
clude old soldiers on this rate when
amendment was defeated and the
Simons motion carried both on viva
voce vote.
A little later. Senator Quincy moved
to include ministers of the gospel in
the Il cent rate. Several senators
thought this would be unconstitution-
al. and after some discussion. Senator
Quincy withdrew his motion, and the
senate, on motion of Senator Dolley,
reconsidered the old soldier question.
and defeated the proposition by an
almost unanimous vote. The senators
feared that any exceptions to the law
would invalidate the bill.
Reduced the Length of Mileage Books.
Senator Stannard then made what
proved to be the most important
amendment of the afternoon. He
moved to strike out 81. 900" and re-
quire that the mileage books of 500
miles length be sold at cents a mile.
This amendment put the 2-cent fare
within the reach of a good many ad-
ditional people.
Senator Dolley spoke briefly in favor
of the Stannard amendment.
This would be practically the same
thing as the 2-cent fare proposition
said Senator Fitzpatrick. eff the 2
cent fare is confiscatory this amend
ment would be confscatory."
Senator Tucker said that all the
discussion had been a lawyers dis
pute. and the merits of the 2-cent fare
bill had not been gone into. IF we
are going to give the public any re-
duction in passenger rates. we should
adopt this amendment
The amendment was adopted by a
vote of 20 to Is. the same as the vote
on the Noftz-er amendment. "on,y
different"
Mr.. Stannard then moved as an
amendment that the mileage books be
good until used, instead of good for
one year. This motion was defeated
by a vote of Is to Is.
Senator Stannard then moved that
the limit for the 1000 mile books be
raised from IS months to two years.
This motion was defeated.
The committee then voted to report
the bill for passage as amended.
When the senate committee of the
whole arose to make its report, Sena-
tor Brewer moved that the senate dis
agree with the recommendation of the
committee that the Noftzger amend
ment be adopted. On this motion
Brewer demanded roll call
Brewer Hits at Bristow.
In making his motion. Senator
Brewer took occasion to read per-
sonal statement. and conduct little
investigation right on the floor of the
senate, for the purpose of refuting
charges made by J. L. Bristow in the
Salina Journal Mr. Bristow has in
the 2-cent fare bill in good faith. and
that he has not been trying to push II
to passage.
Mr.. Brewer said:
1.-The aGitator the alarmist, the false
prophet. and the man who impugns
mems motives even before their votes
are cast is abroad in the land. and
fear misleading some people. and be-
fore discussing the merits of this bill
of which I am the author. namely. the
two cent fare bill, desire to make
few remarks of a personal nature.
ct read in the Salina Journal under
date of February 18th an article writ
ten by that eminent apostle of reform
and a Square Dealer the Honorable
Joseph L. Bristow. q part of which is
as follows: The facts about this bill