The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-02-28

/ bills to reduce passenger rates it was
suggested by those who are actually In
| favor of reducing railroad fare that
| it might be well to report Brewers
/ bill. That Brewer, had introduced it
| for buncombe but if his bill was &C
cepted by the committee without
change he would be compelled to vote
for it; that he would hardly have the
nerve to turn down his own meas
ure'"
Turning suddenly to Senator Tucker,
chairman of the railroad committee,
Senator Brewer exclaimed dramati-
cally:
II desire to ask the senator from
Greenwood. chairman of the railroad
took place in the committee by any
one?"
Tucker stood up and said: ct will say
that 1 am quite sure that no such con-
versation in regard to the senator from
Dickinson or his motives was had in the
committee room at all. There might
h" re been some private conversation
outside of the committee room that
know nothing about, but 1 am quite
sure that the railroad committee in con-
sidering the bill of the senator from
Dickinson had no conversation in the
committee of this kind
Senator Brewer put the same question
to Senator Chapman, another member
of the railroad committee, and Chap
man said: Il did not hear any con-
versation along this line
Then turning to Senator Quincy, from
Bristow's home district. Brewer repeat
ed his query. Quincy asked to have
the question repeated, and then said:
II think not; no public discussion of
it."
Senator Brewer then said that further
comment would be unnecessary, and
added that "a liar is an abomination in
the sight of the Lord
Pleads for His 2-Cent Bill.
fhnn a
lengthy plea for his bill fixing pas
senger rates at cents per mile. He
said:
Il introduced this bill in Difference to
the widespread demand for legislation,
such as this bill provides, in my dis
trict and in my part of the state. 1
have listened to the discussions and the
facts presented pro and con before the
railroad committee upon this measure.
1 have talked to members of the rail-
road committee and some of them
have said to me: We do not know
whether this rate is just or not; we
have not the facts before US but we
have recommended the bill for pas
sage and it is here for our considera-
ton today. 1 can take my pencil, sit
down and figure the amount of freight
charges upon a carload of wheat, eggs,
or grain from my home city to the
place Of market; 1 can estimate the
expenses, very nearly, in connection
with the movements of this car and
arrive dl 4lSuT6S lildl Will CiOScly rep
resent the profits upon that transac-
ton. But the average man cannot do
that with passenger fares.
Il do not believe that it is the wish
of the members of this legislature to
impose unjust burdens upon the rail-
roads and should there be any laws
enacted that do that, the roads have
always the appeal to the courts for re-
dress. But this one thing is demand
ed; it is, L believe. just; and Kansas
will be glad to endorse action along
this line. 1t is not necessary to dis
cUss this bill at any great length, the
question is, Shall we give the people
a = cent rate or not?' 1 say cut out
the free pass and give the people a 2
cent fare. I am for it heartily and
earnestly and hope to see the senate
act favorably upon this bill.
1T feel confident that this legislature
will pass an antipass law. and that
With the increased earnings which will
accrue to the railroad companies from
he passage of that act, and the one
under consideration, there should be
no hesitancy in passing a 2-cent fare
bill
Senator Noftzger wanted to put the
bill on final passage at once. by I'M
lnimous consent. but Senator Robert |
,on objected to rushing things, and the
he bill laid over to take its regular