The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-08-23
GRA1IAN likes II
Attorney for Railroad Board
Anxious for Special Session.
That Is His Solution for Two
Cent Fare Problem.
IN FAVOR OF A CHANGE
Says People Will Soon Fine
Where He Stands.
Attorney General Says His
Position Is Weak.

q. +. Grattan, attorney for the state
board of railroad commissioners, re-
turned to Topeka this morning, and
he Immediately prepared a most re-
markable statement concerning Cover
nor Hoch's letter to the state board of
railroad commissioners on the 2-cent
fare proposition.
Mr.. Grattan declares that the snecial
session is just what he has wanted all
the time; that it is impossible for the
railroad commissioners to make an or
der which will not result in years of
litigation, while the legislature can
make a law which becomes effective
Immediately
Il am heartily in favor of a 2-cent
railway fare" said Mr.. Grattan this
morning. '.I am willing to 60 Just as
far as anybody on that issue, and the
people of the state will discover this
before 1 am through with my term of
'Mr. Grattan's statement indicates the
weakness of his position. We do not
need a special session of the legisla-
ture. What is wanted is an action of
the board of railroad commissioners.
What's the use of wasting a hundred
thousand dollars on a special session
when the board of railroad commission
ers has full authority to do the work ?
session of the legislature is the only
way out of this difficulty"
Simmons Can't Be Speaker.
Many interesting situations will de-
velop If special session is called.
For one thing, the house of representa-
tives will have to elect a new speaker,
as j. S. Simmons has moved out of
Lane county and is no longer entitled
to seat in the legislature. This will
mean the appointment of new commit
tees in the house, and a complete reor-
ganization. Now that the senatorial
fight is out of the way, the chances
are that c. A. Stannard, the square
deaP' candidate at the opening of the
last session, could be elected speaker.
If a special session is called, it would
in all probability take up the revision
of the taxation and assessment law,
and will pass a primary election law.
The sentiment for primary election
law is so strong now that it is doubtful
If even the senate lodge could defeat 1t.
There will be good many absentees
If a special session is held soon. Fred
Dumont Smith is in China, and Senator
Vinton Stillings is in Europe. A number
of the members of the house have died
since the session.
Politicians who visited the state house
today hardly know what to make of the
possibility of a special session w. L.
Higgins of Emporia, at one time Re
publican nominee for the state senate
in his district, said:
''I don't see that there is any use in
having special session.
The state officers are reluctant to ex-
press themselves. One said that the
only thing would be for the railroad
commissioners to back up, and put in
2-cent order Another said that what
ever was the outcome. the present board
of railroad commissioners was doomed.
1.-The governor chased the majority
members of the board out on a limb,
said a state officer, land now he has
cut the limb off.
And through it ALL Governor Hoch is
in Iowa making speeches and escaping
even the smell of the powder.