The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-04
PASSES IN HOUSE.
Kansas May Have Legislative
Reference Library.
Bill to Create One Revived and
Adopted.
CHANGES ARE MADE.
Salary Of Librarian Is Cut to
81, 800.
Library Board Will Have Power
OF appointment.
CHANGES ARE MADE.

The house passed the legislative
reference library bill last night by d
close vote. But 1t was an entirely diff
ferent bill from the last one first pre-
sented by Mr.. Dolley on the second
day Of the term and which was with
drawn from the house a month ago
after meeting with fierce opposition.
The bill was redrafted by committee
and cut from about fifty to three
pages. The appropriation that ac-
companied the measure was cut in
half. The appointment of a librarian
was left with the state library board
and not the governor.
But after all these changes the
house still further amended the bill.
cut the appropriations and reduced
the office force for the new library.
Two bills were presented last night.
One provided that the chancellor of
the State university and the head of
the department of political science at
that institution and the state librarian
should constitute the board of direc-
tors of the new library. This bill was
rejected by an overwhe Ginning vote af-
Yer DAVIS or hloWa had spoken
against it, saying: IF the authorities
at the State university will place their
ears to the ground they Will hear a
rumbling sound which indicates that
the people of this state believe that
the heads of the university are med
ding too much now with politics
without placing them in control of
this legislative library
The bill as passed provides that the
directors of the state library shall
appoint u librarian at 1900 per year
and one assistant at $500 per year.
This bill was discussed under the
two minute rule for debate and it
was well that this rule was in force
or the house would have spent the
night on the measure. The house en-
forced the rule, too. calling time on
every member who attempted to make
a long speech. Ryan of Brown and
Speaker Dolley had a sharp tilt during
the debate in which the latter referred
to the Brown county member as an
objector to all things all the time"
F'ehr of Reno got through an impor-
tant bill last night which prohibits the
making or publishing of false or exag-
gerated reports or statements concern
ing the affairs of any corporation or
joint association which shall have
tendency to give a less or a greater
value to the shares or bonds or prop
erty of said corporation.
The house accomplished a lot of work
Wednesday in passing bills advanced
from general orders to third reading.
The two minute rule of debate is a
boon and blessing. Now If they will
limit each member to speaking only
three times on each bill more good will
follow. The house worked in harmony
Wednesday and to some purpose for
the first time since that storm cloud in
the shape of the utilities bill appeared
IN the legislative sky. If the house can
continue in this humor it is expected
that the calendar will be practically
Most of the members can then go
home and final adjournment taken
Saturday, March 13, by the few mem
bers who need to stay to get the gov
- fV7n aTfn
bills.
The house last night passed the Wat
son bill reducing the rates for berths
in sleeping cars about one-third. and
also the Morgan maximum freight rate
bin reducing the charges on freight in
this state from 10 to 20 per cent in car
load lots.
The house voted to nonconcur in the
senate amendments to the good road
bills. The aristocratic upper house cut
out the tax on autos, which was part of
the house good roads programme.
The bill before the legislature to in
crease the pay of the secretary of the
state board of agriculture to some
thing near what outside concerns are
eager to give for his services promptly
passed the senate by an almost unani-
nous vote. but is far down on the cal
endar of the house, although reported
favorably by the fees and salaries
committee. and unless taken up out of
the regular order is in danger of being
lost by default.
There is no doubt but a vast ma
5ority of the producers and business
men of the state favor the prompt
passage of this bill, and who if per-
Initted to act on it by direct vote
would endorse it as heartily as has
been done by the senate. The house
should see to it that this measure does
not fail The question is now up to
the legislature as to whether it wishes
the state to retain the services of Sc
cretary Coburn or have them diverted
in other directions by a salary two or
three timse greater than he is being
paid.