The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-01-04
OR SMITH.
One of These Will Be Chairman
Railroad Committee.
Governors Fitzgerald and Hanna
Will Talk 1t Over.


1t is rumored among the politicians
that the Craftsmanship of the railroad
committee of the senate may not be
given either to Fred Dumont Smith
or to J. B. Belts of Shawnee, the old
chairman. Smith has been presented
with a strong, able bodied boom for
that position since his startling de-
claration of independence a few days
ago. The anti-railroad faction is con-
fdent that Smiths reformation is
complete, and they want him to lead
their fight.
Senator Belts, on the other hand, is
a strong Curtis man, and was generar-
ly given the credit at the last session
of being one of the best friends the
railroads had in the senate. The SO
called Conservative element in the
Republican party would like to see
Belts appointed.
Lieutenant Governor-elect w. J.
| Fitzgerald and Lieutenant Governor
D. ]. Hanna are both in Topeka to-
day, and it is expected that they will
! get together and fix up the committee
list within the next day or two.
Mr.. Fitzgerald said today: 81 have
nothing to announce at the present
time about the committees I expect
to talk the matter over with Mr..
Hanna very soon."
rs Smith to be appointed chairman
of the railroads committee ?" was
asked.
Il don't know that Smith is a can
didate," replied Mr.. Fitzgerald. He
has not informed me that he is
"Have you anyone in mind for that
position %
'I shall try to select a man who
will be fully competent to discharge
| nf ha r TO-
than that 1 don't care to say at this
time
! Some of the people who are in close
touch with the situation stated posi-
| lively, however. that Senator Smith
and Senator Belts are both dimissed
from consideration. 1t is understood
that they have both been given arQuiet
tip to stay out of the fight, as it viii
! be useless for them to make an effort
to land the place.
The Square Dealers are using all
their influence to bring about the APP
pointment of railroad committee
chairman who will be inclined to
favor the several anti-railroad bills
which are to come W for considera-
ton. They want Mr.. Fitzgerald to ap-
point l. d. Yourg of Beloit, or j. H.
Stewart of Wichita. The other crowd
would prefer some man who has not
taken part in the Square Deal" move
ment and the shippers meetings. The
names of T. A. Noftzger of Anthony,
Ed Wilkerson of Cowley and George
E. Tucker of Greenwood have been
suggested as possibilities.
The friends of the railroads are
making a "still hunt" for the job of
attorney for the state board OF rail-
road commissioners. and it is under
stood that they will exert every energy
to accomplish the defeat of Carr w.
Taylor for reappointment.
Two of the members of the new
n a m 1icCi inn
said to be opposed to the reappoint-
ment of Taylor, and to have already
presented their objections to Governor
Hoch. They base their objection to
Taylor on the ground that he is not
qualified for the office, and that his
work has shown that he can accom-
plish nothing when thrown into con-
htct with the expert railroad attorneys. |
They are willing to take almost any,
body in preference to Taylor.
On the other hand Taylor's friends !
urge that he had demonstrated that he |
is absolutely honest and incorruptible |
and that he has accomplished as
much before a hostile board and with |
out funds as could be expected from !
They urge that the people |
of Kansas want Taylor, and expect his |
reappointment, and that any other ap-
pointment which might be made |
would be construed as a surrender by |
Governor Hoch to the railroads
Governor Hoch is therefore placed be-
tween TWO nreS. the demand OF the rail- 1
road commissioners and the railroad |
attorneys that Taylor be dropped, and |
the demand of the people that Taylor
be retained.
One of the people mentioned as a pos
sible successor to Taylor is A. E. Helm
of Wichita who has assisted the board
in the trial of several cases.
1t is the general opinion that the eau
Gus to nominate a speaker for the
house and other officials will be held
the caucus before that time would pre-
cipitate a good deal of opposition
Among the new candidates to get into
the race today is Irving NJ Platt of
Overlook, a Washburn law school
student. Platt in addition to being con-
of an orator, is counted as
one of the best football players in the
state, and would be useful as an assist
ant sergeant-at-arms in case of a riot
in the house.
date for sergeant-at-arms oil the house
al against D. B. Dyer. and is about the
only opposition Dyer has so far.
Among the candidates for page in the i
two branches of the legislat ture are
Allison. ylor MuIigan. Teddy
Morse, Earl DeFrantz, Harry Dillard,
Edgar H Whitlow and Earl w King
The contest for chief clerk of the
house is between D. Y. wilson or Belle
Wyant of Cherryvale and A. r. Banks
Of Topeka. Wilson and Banks each
have had experience in the position.
Kerns was a member of the last house
Mckinley Statue Cast.