The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-01-16

IT'S very importance emphasizes the
necessity for elaboration coupled with
| Vlgor and determination in its con-
| slderation. The elaborate schedule of
| ifelsnt rates prepared with the aid of
| experts is now ready for the judicial
| nearing contemplated by law, and this
| nearing is soon to occur. The new
board of railroad commissioners has
| rapidly grown in popular favor. Its
| attorney is recognized as one of the
! ablest and most conscientious LAWYERS
| In the state, and the work of righting
recognized Determinations and wrongs
| is progressing as rapidly as can rea-
| sonably be expected doubt the wis
qu1r1ng time and great care for
| equitable consideration-into the
nasty councils of an extra session of
| the legislature. l am a firm believer
| IN the commission system of dealing
with the transportation problem, be-
| cause 1t affords ample time for It's
thorough study and for the mastery
| OF its intricate details. The schedule
| OF freight rates referred to above has
| peen prepared by the board with great
care, and yet even the board is not
sure that 1t Is absolutely just in all of
| IT'S items. A patient hearing is soon
TO be had, and this hearing not only
involves the interests of the railroad
companies, which are entitled to re-
spectful and patient hearing, but it III
| wolves many conflicting interests of
1obbers, river and interior points, and
| other interests peculiar to the people
| OF the state themselves. All these
matters must be heard and decided by
the board before the schedule is COM
plete, and all this 1ntensifies my belief
that 1t is not practicable to attempt
brief special session, when these other
and more pressing matters demand
attention. 1 think however, when the
work of the board is finally completed
and it orders its schedule of rates into
operation it should be put into opera
toll by the railroad companies without
delay. and I recommend the enact
rnent of a law providing a sufficient
penalty for failure to obey the final
mandate of the board. said penalty to
be paid If the order Of the board
stands the final test of the courts. and
to be remitted if it does not. am
sure the people have nothing to fear
in leaving this matter in the hands of
and it's attorney, backed by the whole
state administration and by the new
enactment suggested.
Since the adjournment of the regu-
lar session a two cent passenger fare
rate has been secured upon all the
railroads in this state. Counsel for
the corporations contend that the
board of railroad commissioners had
no legal right to change statutory
passenger rate, and this proposition
will no doubt be seriously argued by
them in the courts. This question
should be settled upon its merits and
not upon a technicality. While have
no doubt myself Of the legality of the
order of the board. nevertheless I
recommend that you remove this
phase of the question from controversy
by the enactment of a straight two
cent passenger fare law and incident
ally the repeal Of the mileage book
law.
Law Enforcement.
Prohibition of the liquor traffic,
which has been the policy of this state
for twenty-seven years, grows in IA
vor not only here but everywhere.
Our example has been followed until
more than half the territory of the
United States and more than half the
people are now under its dominion.
This policy has been of incalculable
benefit to Kansas, morally and finan
cially. The law was never so well en-
forced as 1t is today. Experience,
however, has demonstrated the need
Of a few additional provisions Of law
on the subject, and these will be sub
mitted to you in a bill carefully pre-
pared by the legal department of the
state, which I hope you will promptly
enact into law.
Conclusion.
I have been urged to recommend
some other legislation, including a
much-needed endment to the ex-
cellent pure food law, an amendment
to the national guard law quite i'm
portant to bring our military depart
ment into harmony with the new ma
tional law known as the Dick bill, an
enactment comforting upon the women
of Kansas the right to vote for presi-
dent this year, which eminent law
yers say can be done by statute, and
other legislation more or less import
ant With all these propositions am
il hearty sympathy. but 1 would only
recommend them on condition that no
considerable time would be consumed
in their discussion; and I must con-
tinue to insist that the consideration
of these or any other questions
should not cloud or hamper the
prompt settlement of the specific
things you have been called to-
gether to consider. Respectfully
submitted, E. w. HOCH.