The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1909-03-04
DoINGs OF THE LEGISLATURE

one OF the prettiest fights that has oc-
CURED in either branch Of the legisla-
ture for many sessions.
The administration public utilities
bill, which provided for state COM
mission Of five members appointed by
the Governor for the control Of all
public utilities, has been the cause Of
the contest which has been SO fercly
waged.
TIE opponents Of the bill led by
that very able general, Morgan OF
Reno, moved to refer the bill to the
judiciary committee with instructions
for that committee to report out a bill
which would clearly and explicitly
give to the cities the right to super
wise, regulate, and control their own
public utilities.
The argument directed against the
administration plan was that the rural
districts ought not TO be taxed to pay
the expenseof supervising, regulating,
and controlling the utilities in the
cities; and the argument advanced on
the part Of the city residents was that
they should not be deprived Of the
right to regulate and control their
own public utilities. The argument
Of these two forces was further sup
plemented by the argument on the
whole against the enormous expense
which the plan as proposed by the
administration entailed.
It was also charged by the opposi-
ton to the bill that the real purpose
Of the administration in advocating
this measure was to be provided with
the means Of building up a political
machine, and this had it's weight,
however much unfounded this argu-
ment may have been in fact.
The administration forces led by
Speaker Dolley, Speaker Pro Tenn
Hopkins. Mitchell Of Douglas, Stone
Of Shawnee, and Cunningham and
Buckman Of Cowley on the majority
side, with Ravescraft Of CLARK and
Davis Of Bourbon on the minority
side used every means which could bt
thought Of TO force the passage Of tht
bill providing for the commission
plsn. They demanded and wert
granted roll call after roll-call on
each proposition; but pitted agains
them was the skillful Morgan OF Reno
who ever smiling and active laid tht
plan to be followed by the opposition
Ably seconding him was Davis o.
Kiowa the most ready, logical, and
convincing talker perhaps on ths
floor Of the house this session. Has
kins OF johnson and Ryan Of Brown
we're also able assistants in the fool
work. Practically all Of the shor'
grass members aided the opposition
in perfectiDg the organization. Chic
among these we're McNair Of Meade
Fehr Of Reno, and Morgan Of Hodge
man. Upon the motion Of Morgan
to refer the bill back to the COMMITTEES
after discussion which lasted th'
major portion Of the day, the motion
prevailed with q considerable margin
to thegood. The following day whei
tn, committee reports were offered t.
the House the insurgents, as thos'
who opposed the administration wer'
termed, succeeded in running tn
band wagon over the other side, ant
passing three bills which were com
panion bills for the regulation OF al
public utilities. The first bill gave +
the cities Of the second class the righ
to supervise, regulate. and control th
public utilities within those cities; tina
10, to say that this power was places
in the city council. The second bi
provided for the same things with II
spect to the cities Of the first class
The third bill. and the one whic
brought on the most determined OF
position from the administrator
forces, was in the nature Of q brie
amendment to the present railroa
, law giving 10 the beard OF railroa
commissioners the right to value
regulate. supervise. and control a
telegraph, long distance telephone
and pipe lines within the state. Thi
|bill passed the House Tuesday nigh
carrying an appropriation Of $4,000
{ for each year Of the next bienniul
. so~ tha nnrnosa of having the g,