The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-01-10
IN THE SENATE.
Members Refuse to Go on Record for
Tariff Revision.

=, Under the order of resolutions ma
jority of the senators decided to dodge
the issue of going on record on the
question of tariff revision. Senator F.
| Dumont Smiths resolution directing
the Kansas representatives in con-
gress to support tariff revision on steel,
lumber and steel products came up,
and also to urge legislation which will
permit reciprocity between this country
and foreign countries on agricultural
products. Senator Smith asked that
the resolution be made a special order
for consideration on Tuesday morning.
Senator Noftzger objected. He said
that this tariff proposition had been
discussed in the recent campaign and
that it would be a vase OF the SEN
ate's time to have to listen to Senator
Smith make talk on tariff revision.
He moved that the resolution be re-
ferred to the committee on federal re-
lations
Senator Smith replied briefly say
ing that If the senators desired to
dodge the issue they ought to vote for
Senator Noftzger's motion because II
it was carried it would mean the death
of the resolution. "Such vote would
be a rabbit one said Senator Smith.
Senator Fitzgerald took exception
to being classed as possible "rab bit-
He did not think it would be cowardiy
to vote to send the resolution to the
federal relations committee
A vote was taken on the Noftzger
notion and after a count the chair an
nounced that a majority had voted for
it. There is little likelihood that the fed
eral relations committee will do any
thing with the resolution SO it is as
good as dead.
Senator Fred Dumont Smith con-
tirued his plan for the reformation of
railroads by intro ducing a bill in the
senate this morning amending the
present railroad law by delegating to
the board of railroad commissioners
the legislative power to make and
regulate railroad freight rates. The
old railroad law gives the board prac-
tically this same power but 1t also
gives the board certain judicial pow
ers.
Senator Smith is of the opinion that
if a test were made regarding the
constitutionality of the old law, which
gives the board legislative and judicial
powers. it would not stand the test of
the courts. So he has prepared the
bin to amend this law by stripping the
giving it the legislative power to fix
rates.
Being a banker himself, and largely
interested in two banks, Senator
Chapman of Barton is in a position to
present bills of special value to the
banking interests. He has introduced
bill in the senate which he believes
will do much to strengthen the per-
sonnet of the directorate of state |
banks. The bill seeks to amend sec !
ton 1, chapter SO, of the laws of 1908. !
which provide that any person holding |
one share of stock in A state bank |
might be a member of the board of di-
rectors. Senator Chapman's amend |
ment will make it necessary for a per-
son TO own five shares before he is |
eligible to election on the board Of di- |
rectors of bank.
Under the present law" said Mr. !
Chapman in talking of his BILL "it is |
quite common for those organizing |
bank to go to some wealthy and in |
fuential man and say, We want YOU |
on our board of directors The man |
probably says, Why. don't want any |
stock in your bank and the pro-
motors of the new bank promptly of
fer to give him a share. The public is |
thereby given the false idea the !
bank. 1t tends to fill up the board of |
directors with men who take no in |
terest in the affairs of the bank
Senate Bills Introduced.
The following bills were introduced |
in the senate this afternoon:
No. 23- By Senator Hayden-Autho- |
r1zlng justices. of the district court In |
counties having population of As, 900 |
70 designate an official paper for the
puplcat1on of legal notices
No. "a. BY Senator Tucker-Mak-
ing technical amendments to the state
printing law to facilitate the opera- |
lions of the state printing plant.
NO 25- BY Senator Stewart-Con- !
corning the procedure in registering |