The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-15
KANSAS COMNENT

THE MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL.
The recommendation contemplated by
Governor-elect Stubs to create in
Kansas public utilities commission
embodying the most desirable features
in the New York and Wisconsin laws
Is the most important recommendation
that has been made by any governor
fury.
commission power to correct the abuses
In transportation rates and make their
ORDERS efective until set aside by the
supreme court, it will be the most I'M
portant legislation for a quarter of
century. If it is not practicable to
give the orders immediate force then
a. nne upon the corporation that rails
to obey the orders of so much per day
in the event that the orders OF the
commission are sustained, by the su-
preme court, should be imposed. Tele-
graph, telephone and pipe lines and all
should be under the control OF the
board.
1t should be appointive by the gov
ernor and the salaries should be lib
eral. The governor should also have
the power to remove anyone of the
members of the commission when in
his opinion the commissioner is not
properly and efficiently administering
the affairs of his office. By this the
responsibility will be concentrated into
the hands of a single individual and
the people can hold the governor re-
sponsible for the proper administration
of the affairs over which he has con-
troll. AS it is now, the public has no
way of locating the responsibility Ior
failures. When there is failure the
public can not understand why or who
is specifically to blame. The railway
commission is composed of three men
who are elected. The people at large
are not familiar with the technical
Ern fA,c a.
tions of men who present themselves
as candidates for railroad commission |
ers. They have had no opportunity TO
study the characteristics of these men
so as to judge wisely OF their capaclty
but they can pass upon the adm1n1stra-
tive acts of their governor. If he is
made responsible for the actions of the |
board of commissioners and has the
not properly fulfill the duties of their
office then they can require or MIN Ell
fcient administration and if he doesn't
give it, they will elect someone else
governor next time.
We trust that the legislature will
not spend it's time in discussing mat
;ers of less Importance and neglect this
most necessary law.-Salina Journal.
THE NAKED TRUTH.
The people want parcels post, but
he express companies wish to con-
1nue the present 1AAOAAOPOAJS OAAN ~ |,
pose it. The express companies are
in congress-; old Tom
7latt, senator from New York, is
owner of one of the express COM
,anies. These express companies
make enormous profits; their rates
ire high, and practically every per-
on in the country pays tribute.
There is not a single reason why
We should not have a parcels post
except that the express companies I
oppose it. Every postmaster general
n years has recommended it; the {
people want it. But congress will not
rant it, because certain congressman
re interested in the express business.
oeople want a reduction of the tariff, ,
nut it is not granted because congress
S opposed to it, And congress is !
opposed to it because certain of its !
Members are vitality interested in the !
,rofits arising from high protective :
ariff which amounts to an enormous :
ak on every individual. Congress !
eeds investigating more than the ;
ailroads need it.-Atchisona Globe. ;