The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-02-19
Senate Decides to Investigate
Tax Bill.
Charges That Railroads Are
Back of Measure.
DIDN'T WANT TO SERVE.
Senators Reluctant to Act on
Committee.
Effort of Getty to Lay Matter
on Table Defeated.
DIDN'T WANT TO SERVE.

By the narrow majority of two
votes. and these only secured by the
call of the house and the changing OF
Senator Belts mind. the senators de-
cided yesterday afternoon to have ar
Investigating committee of five to look
into the actions of the senators on the
tax commission bfll-to ascertain
whether or not they were acting il
the interests of the railroads when a
majority of them supported this meas
ure which was introduced by Senator
WaSgener, rather than the bill on the
same subject which passed the house
and is known as the square deal
measure. And Senator Waggener in
troduced the resolution calling for this
investigation There was apparent re-
luctance of the senators named on the
committee to serve on it but only one
of the original committee succeeded in
getting excused. This one was Senator
Young. 1t is likely that the committee
will hold its first meeting this after
noon.
When the order for the introduction
of original motions and resolutions
was reached by the senate yesterday
afternoon, and this did not occur until
nearly o'clock. as the body did not
convene until O'Clock, Senator Wag-
gener offered the following resolution
and asked its Immediate cOnSidera ton:
Whereas, The Kansas City Times
and Kansas City Star have publicly
charged that senate bill No. 80 was
backed by the railroad companies, and
that such companies were instrument
al in securing its passage through the
senate, and
Whereas. Such charge is a reflection
upon the integrity of the senate, and
each member thereof. and tends to
discredit it's deliberations, and
Whereas. The people of the state of
Kansas should be Informed as to the
facts to the end that they may hold
responsible every menber of the Kan
sas state senate, who is responsible for.
or a party to, a conspiracy. such as
has been charged against those who
were in favor of the passage of senate
bill No. 80, therefore. be it
Resolved, That a committee of five
be appointed by the president of the
senate to investigate such charge and
that such committee be. and the same
is hereby empowered to subpoena wit
nesseS, administer oathS, and take
such other steps as may be necessary
to ascertain the facts. That such COM
nittee be authorized to employ a
stenograp her who shall take and re-
port all the evidence taken, and that
such committee shall report to the
senate the evidence taken, together
with its conclusion in the premises. on
or before Saturday, February %, 1907
After 1t had been read Senator Dolley
objected and under the rules the resolu-
ton would have gone over ordinarily
for consideration until today and this
Fitzgerald. But on the conclusion of
the consideration of a number of bills
in the committee of the whole. which
took a couple of hours time
Senator Waggener asked unanimous
consent for the immediate consideration
of his resolution. He said he under
stood that Senator Dolley would not
insist on his objection. Senator DoIley
Senator Porter. of Montgomery, ex-
pressed the opinion that the resolution