The independent., 1907-02-07

Wichita, Kas. which are In a prohi-
bition state. He said he desired to cor
rect this statement as he found these
two towns erased from his list. But
there are saloons IN Topeka never
theless," he said.
The hearing was before the commit
tee on municipal affairs, comprising
Gibson OF Douglas, Burns OF Lancas-
ter, Sackett Of Gage, Thomas Of Doug
las, Ashton of Hall
Elmer Thomas Of Douglas who has
been prominent as the attorney for a
civic federation in the enforcement of
law and order in Omaha, made a
speech in which he said this was the
first friendly body he had addressed
in three years. He said if saloons had
been closed in Omaha it was because Of
the self-sacrficing spirit of the mem
bers of the civic federation.
Il have known three governors to
be influenced by the saloon element in
the appointment Of fire and police COM
missioners," asserted Mr.. Thomas. He
discussed the moral and political
phases Of the Gibson bill
Patrick Of Sarpy pointed out a de-
feet in the bill which made it class
legislation by making it apply to cities
having over $4,000 population according
to the last preceding census. He asked
that 1t be extended to the entire state.
Ashton Of Hall said he desired to
point some legal flaws in the bill but
he said he would defer his remarks to
another time. The committee will take
no action soon.
Name the ub-COmmittec.
Chairman McMullen of the joint
committee on primary bill yesterday
named as the sub committee to draft
the bill the following: Senator Adrich
of Butler and Patrick of Sarpy Repre-
sentatives e. p Brown of Lancaster,
Dodge of Douglas and Mackey of Gus
ter. Senator Patrick and Representa-
tive Mackey are fusionists. Of the
number on the subcommittee, one,
Representative Mackey, voted against
a statewide primary All the others
appeared to favor the idea. Representa-
tive McMullen, who favored a limited
primary, is not on the smaller com
mittee.
The committee will get to work at an
early date and the new bill will be in
troduced, it is thought, some time be-
fore the forty day limit for the intro
duction of bills expires.
Anti-Free Pass Hit Attorneys.
The anti-free pass bill agreed upon
yesterday by the subcommittee com.
prising Senator's Gould of Greeley and
Gibson of Douglas and Representative
Marsh of Seward and Representative
Knowles of Dodge, follows closely the
national act on the same subject and
the bill introduced in the senate by
King OF Polk 1t goes a little further
and provides that attorneys en-
ployed by railroads shall not be enti-
tied TO passes unless they are actually
employed and receive a salary of $500
year The prediction had been made
that railroads would evade the law by
having a great many attorneys in ev-
cry county in the state. The sub-com-
mittee has agreed upon the following
bill to report to the joint committees
Section l. No railroad corporation
owning or operating any line or lines
of railroad in the state of Nebraska or
any officer or agent OF any such rail-
road corporation shall issue or give
any free ticket, free pass or free trans
portation for passengers except To its
bona fide employees and their families
its officers, surgeons, who are annually
employed. attorneys who are actually
employed and receiving a salary OF not
less than $500 per year. ministers of
religion, travelling secretaries of Young
Mems Christian associations. inmates
OF hospitals, and charitable and elee-
mosynary institutions and persons ex-
clusively engaged In charitable and
eleemosynary work, to INDECENT desti-
tute and homeless persons and To such
persons when transported by oharita~
BILE societies or hospitals and the nee