The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-01-21
ROAD MAY BE AGO
LeavenWOrth-FOrt Riley High
way FaVOrably Received.
Believed That Congress VIII
Approve the Measure.
HULL TALKS OF 1T.
Chairman Says Proposition Is a
MeritOriOus One.
Only Small ApprOpria tiOn
Will BE Required.
HULL TALKS OF 1T

FOR the passage of a bill introduced in
the house by Congressman Dan An
thony, providing for the construction
of a military highway between Forts
Leavenworth and Riley. are excellent
this session. In fact, there is good
reason to believe it will be enacted
into law.
There are a number of measures of
this kind before congress and the COM
mittee on military affairs is, as it has
been in the past, generally inclined to
be unfavorable toward such bills
wherein appropriations are involved.
But the Leavenworth-R Riley proposition
recommends itself because of the fact
that it requires but very small ap-
preparation to carryit out.
The Leavenworth- Riley highway
bill has been before congress for two
years, and Chairman Hull of the mill
tary committee apparently was Op-
posed to it for the reason. he said, the
passage of this bill would open the
way for similar legislation.
In a discussion of the merits of the
Anthony bill with the State Journal
correspondent, Chairman Hull stated
that it was very meritorious PROPOSE
ton. He thought that since the meas
ure carried such a small appro-
priation the chances for its enactment
this session were the very best. 1T is
such a meritorious bill, he said, that
l see no real reason why it should not
become law this session of congress-.
The bill provides for a macadamized
highway between the two Kansas mill
tary posts, the work of construction
to be done by prisoners confined in
both the United States military prison
and federal penitentiary at Fort Leav-
enworth. The bill further provides
that the building material for the
highway shall be furnished free Of
charge to the government by the re-
fnx he
route.
1t is not to be expected that the
construction of this military highway
is to be begun Immediately upon the
passage of the bill. There is section
in the Anthony measure which pro-
vfdes that the work shall be COM
fuenced at the time when the two fed
eral prisons IT Fort Leavenworth are
completed. These institutions are now
we'll under way and it Is thought. with
the present prison labor, will not be
completed fer a year or two. At least
one of them will not be finished before
a years time.
The federal prisoners who will con-
struct the road are to be maintained
out of the funds regularly appropri-
ated for the support of their respective
prisons. Therefore, the only addition
al or real expense the government will
be put to in building the highway will
be guard hire.
Mr Anthony feels confident that his
while Senator Curtis will grease the
ways lo- it's final enactment in the
senate.
Congressman Phil Pitt Campbell in
troduced a bill in the house for the re-
lief of certain Cherokees and citizens of
Kansas and Indian territory. The
measure authorizes and directs the sec
retary of the treasury to pay to the
heirs of James Childers, deceased, the
sum of $500; to George Lisle the sum
of 81, 700; to George Walker the sum of
81 $50; to the heirs of ]. McMurty the
sum of $5,400, in full compensation for
property taken. used and destroyed by
Union soldiers, under military orders.
on November and 9. 1863.
Congressman w. A. Reeder has in
troduced a bill providing for the ap-
pointment by the board of education
of a superintendent of buildings and
supplies for the District of Colum bia.
Mr. Reeder would have the super
intendent review all plans for the con-
struction of and additions to school
buildings, which would then be sent TO
the board of education for approval
Another provision of the bill is that
the man appointed shall be a practical
engineer or builder as well as an archi-
tect.
cited by Congressman Victc Mu1 dock
in the preamble of his resolution open
ing I'D the question of transmission of
second class mail matter by express
companies seem to intend that the
postoffice department shall have
monopoly of the transportation of all
matter which is included in tho gov
ernment's classification of mail. Mr..
Murdoch finds that much matter,
which in fact is included within the
f7rst second bird and fourth classes
especially second class matter is being
TRANSPORTED by the express companies
in competition with the mails.
Moreover. he points out that where
as the mail rates are fiat rates, uni
form for all distances. the express
conpanies make rates. on short dis
tance and profitable business. which
are lower than those of the poStofhce
department. and get mucn OF % the Dusl-
ness; but on business covering long
distances, and Improbable at the pos
tai rates the express companies make
no effort at all to secure it
The result of this. if Mr. Murdoch
is RIGHT is a tendency to turn over to
the Dostofice the Improbable proper
tion of second class business, with the
result that there is showing of
very long average haul on this class
of business. and high expense; while
the express companies make big prof
ifs o1It of what remains and is in large
part given to them.
Victor Murdoch wants to know,
therefore. wha has been done. if any
thing to stop the express companies
from intruding into what the laws in
tend to be a government postal monop-
oily. The question he raises is of the
greatest Importance. If as has been
threatened, the second class rates are
to be raised; and if then publishers
are to be estopped from employing
any other means of distribution of
their matter than the mails, it would
appear that the situation might be