The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-02-22
ON FREIGHT BILLS
Evident That Senate Will Pass
Maximum Measure.
Debate Opened With Speech by
Senator Young.
SMITH SAYS GO SLOW.
Fears Too Many Items Will BE
Included.
Debate Stopped While Bills Are
Read.
SMITH SAYS GO SLOW.

Under the agreements made last
night the various measures, known as
railroad legislation, were down for
consideration by the senators as spe-
ciai order in general orders for this
morning. These bills include the
maximum freight rate bill introduced
by. Senator Young. the bill on this
subject which passed the house. the
bills of the railroad committee of the
senate which are on this subject but
which provide for horizontal cut in
the existing rates of eighteen per cent,
the TWO cent fare bill and the anti
pass measures
A committee of the whole was
formed for their consideration with
Senator Porter of Crawford in the
chair and as a matter of fact that was
bout all that was done as far as any
definite action being taken on any OF
the bills.
According to those who are in
formed as to the various senators. and
this variety is in the majority. it has
been decided TO put through the so
called maximum freight rate bills OF
the railroad committee which provide |
for the horizontal cut of the present
freight rates by eighteen per cent: to |
Kill the two cent fare proposition |
which is really a maximum rate bill /
on the question of passenger trans |
portation and TO amend the anupass /
hlti as II mas passed the mouse IN many |
particulars so as not 10 make II quite |
SO stringent These proposed actions /
OF the senators viii not appeal very |
strongly to the mem ers of the house /
and 1t is likely that the concluding
days of the session will be devoted 10 /
the working of conference committees
on them. and there is also likelihood l
that an agreement cannot be reached |
and that little if any real important
railroad legislation will be adopted at
this session of the legislature.
There was considerable discussion at
the outset of the consideration of the
bills as to just which one should be
considered first Senator Smith brought
the matter to head by moving that his
bill for maximum freight rates on
wheat and corn as il had been fixed
up by the committee on railroads pro
viding for the horizontal cut in the
rates on these products be considered
first
On this motion Senator Young made
e speech of an hours duration on the
general proposition of freight rates He
said that the bill which had been intro
oUced by him for maximum freight
rates was almost Identical with the
one which had passed the house He
said that the only way to secure q pro-
per and equitable adjustment of the
freight rates in the sta te or all of the
principal products OF the state was by I
fne passing of a maximum freight rate
Bin drawn on the principle of fixing
distance tariffs He insisted that a hor-
izontaE cut in rates would not prevent :
the Determinations that the railroads
make in rates for certain communities
and certain people.
While Senator Young was talking
Senator Martin. of Bourbon, carried in
10 the chamber a picture of George
dra ped with American flags
Senator Noftzger also amused himself
by putting Boston bull pup with a
big red ribbon on it's collar, on his !
desk $
When Senator Young concluded a re- $
ply was made by Senator Smith, He
expressed the belief that a horizontal
cut in rates was the proposition that !
would best meet the interests of the :
people and that it would be dangerous ,
to tie up large number of freight
schedules in one bill as proposed by
Sansto Young IN his rravir,,,4,, f-a;e-J+ |
rate proposition. He said that the {
question of grain rates was the most
important to the people of the state j
and that a separate bill on these rates I
should be passed He thought that the /
matter OF alleged Determinations in g
freight rates should be left with the I
-2ilrOad commissioners. f
At the suggestion of Senator Sfmons f
Senator Tucker and Senator Fftzpat-
lex, the senators considered il TO be T
| good plan to have the bills read be- |
ore the discussion on their merits
vent any further. This action was TAX
n and the clerk started on the task
f reading the half dozen bills When
le had concluded the noon hour had d
IEffcu dl4u d recess was taken until =
We o'clock this afternoon. when the
iebate on railroad legislation will be
ontinued. p
II is likely. although the under a
landing is that things have already h
zen fixed up as TO what action the il
enators will take on the measures as II
outlined above. that the debate will be
lengthy one and that decisive action =
riii not be taken on them for & few a
aYs Il
As an aftermath to the exchange of v
between Senators Young y
nd Fitzpatrick yesterday the follow Il