The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-06-10
POLITICAL GOSSIP.

David Leahy, secretary to the gov
ernor, is a happy man this day. He
has turned the Joke on the other fell
low, and that is better than meat and
drink to an Irishman. 1t came about
through this letter writing contest
which is now at its height in Kansas,
and Joe Kramer. secretary of the
Wagstaff committee. is the victim.
When the State Journal man en-
tered the governors office last even
ing Leahy was reading for the third
time the Kramer letter published that
evening, in which the Wagstaff secre-
tary jumped on the Stubbs secretary
with both feet for the reason that
Leahy had proclaimed Dumont Smith
as the author of the Wagstaff letters.
Leahy read the Kramer article with
serious brow, and then finally he
smiled. This is the best yet said
Dave. "Wait a moment while 1 talk
over the phone and you will hear
something interesting" and he picked
up the phone and called for the Wag-
staff headquarters.
"I will convict Kramer this time out
of his own mouth. That word 'veri-
similitude' used here in this article of
Kramer's is one of Dur1ont Smiths
favorite words. Now wouldn't it be fun
If 1 could prove that Dumont wrote
this Kramer letter also?"
Leahy is a stranger to Kramer, so
when he got the Wagstaff headquar-
tiers on the phone he asked without
hesitation, rs that you, Joe?"
Sure" came the answer over the
wire. How are you?"
"Just been reading that fine roast
on Leahy in the State Journal, but 1
don't just catch what that word 'veri-
similitude,' means-what is it?"
1T don't know said the honest, in
nocent, childlike Joseph. falling into
the Leahy trap kerpiunk. I'm what
sense is it used 2"
That's exactly what I want to find
OUT said Leahy in his own full and
natural voice.
"I'n inquire about it and let you
know" said Kramer, falling deeper
into the pit. by the way, who Is
this?
This is Leahy himself" said the
son of the Emerald isle with hearty
laugh. At the other end of the line
there was heard only hard breathing
in response to the laughter.
ST told you,'' said the secretary to
the newspaper man, who had sat by
and enjoyed the conversation. 81 told
you" repeated Dave, chat Dumont
wrote that Kramer piece, too
Richard ]. Hopkins, who is cam
paigning with the governor in the Fist
district. In referring to the control Oh
public utilities in speech at Troy
Wednesday night, said, among other
things: 1.-THE great problem for solu-
ton that today confronts the American
people is the regulation and control or
public utilities. This applies not only
to railroad companies but to express
companies, telegraph and telephone
companies.
Results of an expert inquiry into
the rates charged by express companies
show that the annual profits of the
principal companies including the Ad-
ans, the American, the United states
and the Wells Fargo, range from 43 %
115 per cent. 1t is further shown that
gross discrimination and Inequality
characterize express rates and service
''The fee collected for the use of the
old fashioned toll road was in its nature
tax. The railroad in principle IS
merely the old fashioned toll road ad-
iusted to modern conditions. 1t is said
that the rate advances now proposed
BY the railroads will mean the addt-
ton Of 800 ,O00, 900 annually to the
freight bills which the people of TINS
country must pay. 1t is an enormous
prevented unless sufficient proof is Of
fered to justify it. The recent night IN
congress on the railroad Dill mas
brought to light gross dfscriminatlons
of which the great majority OF people
had never dreamed.
made in congress by such 1nsurgent
Republicans as Senator BrlstoW may
not be in vain, and that the interstate
commerce commission may be given the
power to pass on all proposed changes
in freight tariffs before the same be-
come effective.
proper regulation of such public
service corporations is one of the bene-
fits the people of Kansas should de-
mand from the next legislature, Insofar
as it is possible to so regulate such
corporations within the state IL is our
duty to our state and nation TO IN
auourate such systems as will prevent
excessive exactions by such taxing
agencies. First of all. however, the
people must see that the men elected
fore RESPONSIBLE to popular demands