Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-01-25
Gage County Nan Opposed to the State
Wide Primary Measure.
COMBINE OF PRINTERS MAY Dc PRostu
FusiOnists Evidently Plan to Delay Reform
Measures If Possible
RAILWAY COMMISSION BILL OUTLINED
state Dairy Com mission Presents Biu
for Inspection of Diaries and
Dairy Products by the
state.
(From a Stan COrrespondent.)

CFrom a stan Correspondent
LINCOLN, Jan. A.-(Special )-Members
OF the senate and house committees Sc
lected to draft and report a state wide
primary election bill this afternoon elected
Adam McMullen of Gage county chairman
and decided to hold the next meeting at
7;So Monday night. The election Of Nc
Mullen as chairman created some surprise,
inasmuch as his stand on this plank Of
the state platform was one of the factors
which contributed TO his defeat for speaker
OF the house. Mr.. McMullen favored a
primary for the nomination OF officers ex-
cept state officers and In the last legisla-
ture he made a fight for such a bill but
! was defeated.
Some of the members take the election
| OF McMulen to this position to mean the
majority of the committee Is not in favor
Of carrying out this pledge of the repub-
! lican state convention, though there is
very little apprehension felt but what a
state wide primary election law will be en-
acted. McMullen was placed in nomina-
ton by Dodge Of Douglas who has a state
primary bill.
In answer to the argument that stats
wide primary will cost too much money
a proposed constitutional amendment win
be introduced to abolish the yearly election
and the money used for this purpose will
pay the cost OF the primary. In other
words, with this amendment adopted the
direct primary will not add a cent of cost
to the taxpayers Of the state.
Commiaaion BIII Outlined.
The subcommittee appointed to draft
! a bill to confer power on the state railway
commission has worked out the general
outlines OF its bill, which will provide the
commission with authority to fix rates OF
Io al
car companies. which are to go into effect
within ten days after the order is issued
by the commission. The bill will also pro-
vide the commission rates shall be In effect
pending appeals to the courts. The only
question at Issue now before the COMMITTEES
is the mode Of procedure
Combine Among Printers.
Both house and senate have shown a
disposition to look into the methods and
profits of the Printing trust during the
last few days and the evidence seems to
show the existence OF combination be-
tween the big printers Of Lincoln and
Omaha to get their hands into the state
treasury by unlawful methods. This was
indicated by the bids received at the an
nual letting some months ago. when j. r.
C1afin OF University Place got nearly all
of the printing because the big printers
had pooled on prices. as one OF them ad-
mitted. Recently the printing board
wanted to get some rush printing done
for the governors Office. No bids were
advertised for. but when the price was
| shown to the governor and secretary Of
state they turned the proposals down.
Bids were advertised for. and as a result
about Sl69 or more saved to the state.
These bids were for furnishing six dif-
ferent kinds of lithograph blanks for use
IN
commissions such as National guard ca
det delegates and notaries. The State
Journal bid S321.6o for the lot; Rees Print
ing company OF Omaha, SI525O, and
Gillispie of Lincoln, $3G6. Had the first
bids. which were not advertised for. been
accepted the cost to the state would have
/ been In excess even OF the State Journal
bid. The printing board awarded the con-
tract to Rees. A movement is on foot
to look deeper into the cost OF state print
ing.
The house recommended for passage
Scudder's "anti-hobo" bill after amending
II so that conductors on trains would have
authority to arrest any person caught
stealing a ride This bill took up a great
part OF the day.
The salary bill was signed by the speaker.
Proposal to Stop Delays.
As the f1sonists have shown a disposi.
tion to make political capital out Of this
legislature, and especially is this true OF
Cone OF Saunders county, their house floor
leader. who, In order TO delay and harass
and embarrass and nettle the republican
majority, has never missed an opportunity
to take up time on the floor OF the house,
thus putting on from day to day the hour
when the republicans can count all their
pledges TO the people kept, many OF the
| I'm In faH % Av-ov rlrs- q Nk.
. party lines taut and with republican votes
: and by republican counsel enact into law
, those measures promised the people by the
, republican state convention and all OF the
, republican members
While Cone IL demanding roll calls on
, trivial matters, talking all subjects and
raising technical objections to everything
proposed by a republican member the rail-
roads ana the other corporations work
ing day and night. 1t is their one hope
and their one wish to get the republicans
divided so that a bunch Of insurgents can
be organized to work with the fusionists.
This would please the floor leader OF the
minority, because It would make campaign
. thunder for the fusionists.
When the legislature convened the fusion
, lists gave 1t out they intended 10 see TO Il
that the republicans kept their pledges to
the people and they would be satisfied.
1t was publicly stated they would assist
the republicans just 80 long as the majority
, worked In line with the state convention
pledges. According 10 numerous repub-
licans who are watching the course OF
Z events closely a number OF the fuslonista
at least have decided to do Just the oppo-
site. and according to this member. the
longer the republicans delay working as a
body and with a solid front TO the minority.
so much more time will there be for the
railroads and the fusionists to work on
their scheme.
That many fusionists are opposed 70 the
taxation of railroad terminals for city and
I village purposes there is not the least
. doubt. and there are some republicans who
z believe Tom Allen, chairman OF the demo
' cratic state committee. will crack his
I party whip at the proper time TO get them
al 70 -nla q .aIn.L Ihla M aLIEa ia !. an