The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-01-24
Favor Law Permitting Officials
to Ride on Passes.
PRESENT TWO REPORTS
Minority Favor the Passage of
the Stone Bill.
This Is Considered the Most
Stringent Measure.

A majority of the members OF tao
railroad committee of the Kansas house
of representatives is in favor. of hang
ing onto its railroad passes, and after
a number of somewhat stormy sessions.
the committee has split upon the Pro-
position. and the pass faction is in the
majority
The action is significant, as showing
what is likely to be the attitude of the
house railroad committee on general
railroad legislation at this session. 1t
appears that the square dear' railroad
bills must be fought out on the floor
of the house.
The members of the committee who
are in the majority, and who have lined
up in favor of a law giving passes to
public officials are as follows:
P. ]. Potts of Morris.
William Kiff of Atchison.
A. B. Jones Of Trego.
]. A. Jeffries of Sumner.
w. A. ElStun of Elk.
J. w. Montee of Crawford.
c. E. Snyder of Leavenworth.
]. d. Sheppard of Washington. +
NJ. c. Policy Of Republic.
The Policy Bill.
The bill which the majority of tlse
committee favor was prepared by NJ.
c. Policy, and is described by the
friends of anti-pass legislation as be-
ing worse than nothing. 1t is as fol-
lows:
THAT railroad companies and other
common carriers doing business within
the state of Kansas are hereby pro-
hibited from issuing passes or giving
free transportation to delegates going
to or returning from state, congress
sional, judicial, senatorial. county or
other political conventions and from
issuing passes or giving free transpor-
tation to other persons for the purpose
of enabling them to go to or return
from such conventions.
Railroad companies or other COM
mon carriers doing business within the
state of Kansas are also prohibited
from issuing passes or giving free
transportation for the purpose of en-
abling voters to go to or return from
their voting places to vote at any cleo
ton held under the laws OF the United
States or of the state of Kansas.
"Persons to whom railroad COM
'panies or other common carriers are
prohibited from issuing passes or Civ
ing free transportation under sections
/ and of this act are hereby prohib-
tied from soliciting, accepting or us
ing the passes or free transportation
included within sections 1 and OF
this act.
Amy railroad company or other
common carrier or any individual
viola ting the provisions of this act
shall be guilty of misdemeanor and
mon conviction thereof shall be sub
iect to a fine of not more than $1,000
nor less than $780,"
Minority for Stone Bill.
The minority of the committe, seven
il, number. have signed a report which
the Stone anti-pass bill:
The Stone bill is a stringent one. ana
is the only real stiff measure OF tn, Ins
minority members have made II even
more stringent than it was originally
by making it apply to all common car
riers which has the effect OF shutting
off free masses on Pullman cars.
The minority report is signed by the
w l.. Taylor of Osborne.
c. A. Stannard of Lyon.
H. w. Grasse of Rush.
J. f. Guyer of Stafford.
s. B. Haskins of Johnson.
H w. Oshant of Ellis.
johnson. Democrat from Miami
county, refused to vote.
Those Square Deal Promises.
The Square Deal question which
vas sent out before election on the
Are you in favor of an anti-pass
aw making it q crime to give or re-
Give free Transportation in any form
whatever in this state, except as is
,ued to bona fide employees of railroad
and their immediate fam
lies?''
P. ]. Potts. who is opposed to the
stone BILL declared in his letter
lated Aug 20, 1906. that he was in
avor of such a law.
William Kiff refused to answer the
luestions.
]. A. Jefries failed to answer the
Iuestions.
J. A. Elstun gave no answer.
J. w. Montee refused to answer.
c. E Snyder made no answer.
]. D. Shepard of Washington.
NJ c. Policy refused to answer.
Morgan Says All Is Harmony.
w. Y. Morgan, chairman of the rail-
Dad committee of the house said to-
lay:
'sThe. majority members of the COM
nittee are sincere in their support OF
he Policy bill. and the committee
greed, very harmoniousIy and pleas
ntly, to report the two bills and let
he house take it's choice.
"I believe that the Stone bill, as
mended to include all common car
iers is a very fine bin for all who be-
eve that the state should have
trict anti-pass law. It is a sweeping
nd comprehensive measure, and be-
ween the Policy bill and the Stone bill
was not difficult for me to make a
hoice- Mr.. Johnson, Democratic
1ember from Miami, was not satls-
ed with either bill"
ulllC CIV MCVIR ANC