The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-02-26
THE GAG GOES IN.
Senate Uses 1t on the Railroad
Measure.
Shut Off Debate On the Waggen-
er Substitute.
1T is VOTED DOWN.
Won't Leave Freight Question
to Railroad Board.
Second Effort to Revive H0ch
Bill Is Defeated.

for that more unintelligib1e expression,
''the previous question" was adopted
this morning by the senate for the
first time this session, to shut off de-
bate on the resolutions intended to
throw the entire question of freight
rate regulatioan into the hands of the
state board of railroad commissioners.
The motion for the gag was made
by Senator Dolley. Senator Noftzger
made a fearful speech against it. He
said it had not been resorted to at
the present session, and he hoped itI
wouldn't be. The vote was for 26 for
and 10 against. The gag went in
Immediately the vote was taken on
the motion to postpone consideration
of the freight rate resolutions until
after action has been taken on the
other railroad bills standing on the
calendar. The principal ones of these
bills are the maximum rate bills for
coal, lime, brick, cement and stucco,
the 2-cent fare bill and the antipass
bill The motion to postpone conSid-
voce, and balanced heavily toward the
affirma tive.
This indicates that the senate is get
ting ready to go on record on the re-
naming railroad measures. 1t did not |
dodge behind the resolutions as IL
might have done.
Indications are at this time that the
senate will make a cut in the coal, |
cement. brick and stucco rates similar |
to that made in the grain and grain
products.
Indica atoms also are that the senate
is getting ready to pass some sort or
an antipass and 2-cent fare law.
Maybe the fare will not be cents
but the senate wants to do something
on that line to make the house teeI
as uncOmfOrta the senate mas
been feeling about house measures.
Waggener's Resolution Taken Up:
II was past IL O'Clock this morning
when the senate went into commlttee
of the whole for the discussion ol tue
freight rate matters.
senator Waggener's resolution leaV-
ing the further regulation OF rates 70
the board of railroad commissioners
was taken up. This resolution pro
yides for "a $4,000 fund for making
Investigations of freight rates
A substitute for the Waggener reso-
luton was offered by Sc tor Nottz-
ger. 1t increased the -lvestlgalon
fund to $4,000.
The following is the Noftzger reso-
luton:
of representatives concurring therein
That all attempts to enact maximum
passenger or freight rate laws be con-
dned to such rates and scheduleS as
will bring to the people OF lue lS
immediate and substantial relief ana
hat the board of railroad commission
srs be and they are hereby instructed
10 proceed forthwith to make thor-
ough and complete Investigation OF the
rate situation, and TO that
End employ the most competent and
.apable experts whose services can be
obtained and employ skilled legal
counsel to assist the attorney for the
BOARD and to confer with and secure
he advice and suggestions of the in
erstate commerce commission and
hereafter fix, establish and promul-
"a te full and complete schedule OF
'ates concerning charges for CARRYING
"a ssengers and all class of freight
which shall be just and reasonable
md to wipe out all unjust or unlawful {
and to reach a result
f possible that will secure equality of l
ates to all.
s.Resolved, further. That the sum of 6
$50, 900 be Appropriated at this ses- [
ion and placed at the disposal of the '
BOARD to be used by them in carrying 1
mt the spirit and intent of these reso- t
utions."
Debate or Noftzeer Resolution.
The debate was opened on behalf of
he resolution by Senator Noftzger.
Senator Tucker, chairman Of the
abroad committee. followed. He de- i
Jared that the people of Kansas
would not be satisfied with such ac-
ion. He thought the success of the s
party would be endanger il
d if only one bill fixing rates on grain a
nd grain products should be passed. a
Ie said that the legislature knows as v
auch about railroad rates the new v
oard of railroad commissioners. e
Another speech against the resolu- b
ion was made by Senator Simons. He d
aid the resolution was subterfuge, a
nd was intended to furnish an easy
way out" for senators. a
Senator Fitzpatrick spoke in favor r
f the resolution. He said the passage h
f the resolution would not prevent a
he enactment of other maximum rate s
lws by the senate and house. He s.
aid: "I believe that we should and C
ill pass an antipass law and make a d
eduction in passenger fares. The q
ouse has substituted it's bill for the b
i'll we passed on Monday. Things do 0
lise and you do not know what a IL
difference committee viii do and n
either do I. But by passing the b
asolution we leave it to the railroad "
ommission to do what this legislature b
lav be Unable to do.
Senator Smith moved that the SEN
te take up the maximum rate bills
nd other railroad bills before the 1t
onsideration of the Noftzger resolu- t
on. This was debated at some length. L
ntil Senator Dolley moved the pre- 1
ious question. 81
Debate Is Shut on. e
The motion for the previous ques- :,
On was carried by a vote of 26 to 10. -
enator Smiths motion that the
oftzger resolution be postponed un-
after the consideration of other
abroad measures was carried by de-
Sive vote.
The committee rose to resume dis
lssion of the railroad bills at 2 p. IN. | d
Simons' Bill Beaten Again. v
Senator S;me7s made another effort d
lis morning to get the prohibition bill G.
rinted and placed on the calendar, | re
nd was again defeated. The vote g.