The Topeka state journal., 1907-12-23
Would Anticipate the Movement
for a February Convention.
HEARS FROM BANKERS
Gov. HOch Gets Letters Urging
Guaranty Deposit Law.
j. l.. Bristow Suggests That Two
Conventions Be Held.

his call for a special session of the leg
islature. The politicians are forcing the
governors hand.
1t seems likely that an effort Will be
made at the meeting of the state CEN
trail committee on Saturday to force
the calling of a Republican state con-
vention early in February, for the ex-
press purpose of anticipating any
movement on the part of Governor
Hoch for the calling of special session
to enact primary law
This move seems to have the backing
of the Long forces, who are anxious to
head off the primary at any cost
Such an attitude on the part of the
committee might force the calling of
the special session, and politicians
would not be surprised to find that the
governor would issue the call during
the present week. even before the Re-
publican state committee has its meet
ing here Saturday.
1t appears that Governor Hoch has
determined to call the legislature to-
gether, though he does not admit that
he has yet reached this decision
One of the principal arguments which
Governor Hoch will use as a reason for
the special session is the need or a
guaranty deposit law, of the kind which
was defeated at the last session of the
legislature. In an interview Governor
Hoch says:
For days I have been receiving
urgent letters along this line. and am
giving the subject some serious
thought. Today L received three such
letters from three of the most prom
inent bankers in the state. One OF them
is at Abilene, one at Empor1a ana one
at Arkansas City. They urge me to
call a special session of the legislature
for the purpose of protecting Kansas
banks against the onslaughts that will
be made on their deposits when the Ok
lahoma law becomes effective.
"The EmDOria banker stated that he
had talked with a number of national
bankers who had been opposed to such
a law and that they were now anxious
to have one. You will remember that
year ago the national bankers were
nearly all opposed to such a law. The
Arkansas City banker said that when
the Oklahoma law goes into effect he
and all other border bankers Will lose
great amount of their deposits. / sup
pose he reasons that the Oklahoma peo-
pie along the border also will think
their money is safer in a state where |
the deposits are guaranteed. Del1eVe
that too Dozens of other bankers have
written to me along the same line. 1
had letter from a prominent banker |
at Winfield pointing out the same dan |
ger.
NV message to the legislature last |
winter was full of the guaranty deposit |
law. I was for it then and am for 1T |
now The federal government will some |
time have such law, possibly during |
the present session of congress. If con- |
gress does pass such law L predict
that every state bank in Kansas VIII
have to have the same protection or go |
out of business. What deposits can
they hope to get If deposits are guaran-
teed in national banks? These letters
have set me to thinking.
will they have any great weight
with you in making up your mind re-
garding a special session." was asked.
''They certainly will,'' replied the
governor. How can it be otherwise?
These men are not rattle-headed- They
are solid and conservative business
men and this is a business proposition.
I have not made up my mind as to
special session but 1 repeat that this IS
a matter for serious thought"
'If anything is done it will have to be
done before the Oklahoma law goes
into effect, will it not?" was asked.
IF we are to protect Kansas banks it
must Yes, whatever is done must be
done Immediately.
"You will admit that there is need
of a special session. If certain laws
could be passed?'
"Yes, but that is just 1T. These
same fellows had a chance to pass the
for at the last session of the leg1sia-
ture, and I even went SO far as TO ap-
peal to them personally, but 1t did no
good. Why call a special session un-
less there is some assurance that
Will be done to remedy the
conditions complained OFF,"
HAS there been a change OF heart
among some of the members of the
legislature since they met in Topeka
last winter?'
well, that might be the case. but 1t
Is more charitable to say that 'condi-
lions have changed since that time
and some of the men might vote diff I
ferently than they did at the last ses-
there is nothing new in this talk of
special session, for it has been going
0n SO long that the people are losing I
interest in the subject, are they not?
Il / had positive assurance that GER
ain laws would be enacted IL special
ike discussing the situation
Will you issue a call for special
session before the first of the year?'
Don't you think that everyone &
would be SO busy considering their
roubles caused by holiday eating that |
hat would be inadvisa BILE -
How about January then p"
We'll. I hardly think so: at any
ate am not going on record at this /
ime that there will be a special ses- r
ion at all. but of course there may @
,e" n
In communication to the state v
Iourpal. ]. H. FOUGHT of Topeka, a
says: n
while you know. as I do, that the C
'ff1ce holders and the so-called politf- a
,ians of the city and state are for Ii
Taft, the Republican voters who do
heir own thinking and reading are
or La Toilette for president. The
nan VINO represents progressive Re- v
'ublicanism believes that LaFollette Il
8 the best kind of a Republican for II
resident The woods are full of Re- t
'ublicans who are for LaFolIette. and e
hope that they will rise in their u