The Mena weekly star., 1907-08-29
ASkSSTAIEbOARDIOACI
Gov. Koch Contends That Kansas is Entitled to Flat Two
 Cent Rate.
LEGISLATURE MAY BE CALLED TO uEFl

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 Topeka. Aug. 24.--1n lengthy letter or message transmitted to the state board of railroad commissioners
 Thursday night Gov. Hoch intimates strongly that unless the board gets
 busy and orders in fiat two-cent passenger fare he will call special session of the legislature. The mes sage was unexpected and caught every member of the board and it's attorney out of the city. Secretary E. c. Sinner refused to express an O. inion as to what action the board will take upon receipt of the letter.
 Gov Hoch does not mince words in his message He goes straight to the point and his last paragraph checks the matter up to the board in proper shape. It reads:
 q therefore address you this off ciaI communication and request thai you inform me immediately whether or not 1t is your intention to put straight two-cent fare into operation in this state tha I may know wha, further steps. If any, should be taken to secure this just result"
 Gov. hoch has not taken snap judg ment on this question, he says He has given it months of careful study and investigation. In explanation of his message he said:
 This action has been taken after much reflection and investigation. In deed l have been considering the mat ter ever since the adjournment of the legislature. I am sure that my posi- tion will commend itself to all fair minded men and that even railroad officials must admit that 1t Is we'll taken. | expect the board of railroad commissioners to act promptly in the premises and do not care 10 dis cuss at this time what future action I may take In any emergency, though all this has been carefully thought out"
 The last paragraph of the govern. or's letter is taken to mean that m. less the board takes immediate ac- ton he will call special session of .ne legislature. It is believed that under these circumstances an order made by the board would not he fought by tho railroads For should a special session be called at the pres ent time 1t is not unlikely that the question of freight rates would bs taken mp and that is a tender sub. ject with railroad companies
 Under the Kansas law. it win be impossible for the railroad board to make an immediate order or to state positively that 1t will make an order for a fiat two-ceDt fare. It must have sn action brought by it's attorney or some other person, then notify the railroad companies. then give ten days notice and finally hold hear. ing Upon the hearing. if 1t is proven to the satisfaction of the board that a twocent fare would be compensa, tory to the railroads. it is authorized to order in one nOt in the nature of things the order can not be made in the Immediate" future
 II Is said upon the authority of close friends of the governor that hc naS "Sth S5iipuSly CoHStueflHX calling special session of the legis lature The last legislature not only giossed over lot of thines bnf ii lett \ lot of work undone There is demand for a primary election law. two ocent fare law and reyi sion of the maximum freight rate law In tact there appears tn be plenty of work for special session And a good many politicians think t is coming The governors letter hints at 1t strongly and in the light Of recent interviews with n member of the railroad board the governor may be forced to 1t If he is to secure for the people of Kansas fiat two