The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-03-06
WILL NOT YIELD.
The Insurgent Senators tOStand
by Guns.
Firm in DisapprOval of Confer
ence Utilities Report.
MEET WITH STUBBS.
First Talk Over Matter With
the Governor.
At First Showed a Disposition
to Weaken.

Richard J. Hopkins, president of the
senate, and the 1S insurgent members
of the upper house, held a lively eau
Gus shortly before O'Clock this af-
ternoon and agreed to stand pat on
their vote to reject the report of the
conference committee on the utilities
bill. It is claimed that several mem
berS who had weakened in their posi-
ton on the matter, were Strengthened
out by the endorsement of the COVER
nor and a unanimous vote was taken
to sustain the senate's former po-
sition and reject the bill as reported
by the conference committee. 1t is
now up to the governor to make good
his threat and call a special session of
the legislature for the fulfillment of
party promises.
Shortly before noon several admin
istration members were called to the
governors office and it is claimed that
the chief executives position was
made plain regarding the measure he
desired. 1t is claimed that the COVER
nor will endorse no utilities bill which
does not place absolute authority in
the hands of the commission. 1t was
this stand that aroused the feelings of
Senator Stavely, chairman. of the SEN
ate conference committee, and he re-
fused to follow the governors die
tates.
I'VE will not yield an inch," said
one member who attended this af-
ternoon's meeting, "and the present
bill will be allowed to go to the scrap
heap rather than accept compro-
mise measure, dictated by the rail-
roads and public service corporations.
There is no half way ground in this
fight We are for a public utilities
bill that means something and for
the defeat of any measure that takes
<E1a
places it in the hands of the railroads"
When told of the position taken by
the reform members, several of the
Democratic brethren expressed a will
ingness to stand with them in the
fight and may reverse their attitude
of this morning when they expressed a
desire to accept the conference bill.
Inclined to Weaken. = @-a.-
IF we don't reconsider and accept
the report" declared Brady, "it means
special session. L talked to the gov
ernor and he means business. The bill
in its present form is not all that it
might be, but it is better than none
and I am in favor of taking what we
can get"
Other reform members have opinions
that to reject the report is to cast a
reflection on the regulars and would
save the state from law that would
be a laughing stock in the land.
Never in a hundred years. declared
Senator Myers, would 1 change my
mind regarding that bill. I do not ex-
pect to vote for a reconsideration. If
the house won't meet us, then it's up
to them. It's not our fault
Clad Hamilton, the Topeka member,
is bitterly opposed to the bill as re-
constructed by the conferees.
Section 25 of the bill,'' said Hamil-
ton. means that a utility or common
carrier may make anv sort Of a state
ment it wants before the board and the
board must accept it as unvarnished
truth. I will never vote for the bill
in its present condition.
In the opinion of mild hammered
Senator Milton. of Wyandotte county,
perhaps the senate wants too much.
Milton voted for new conference COM
mittee, but he admits that there are
some good things to the measure.
81 am for a reconsideration of the
vote.' said the Kansas City Demo-
crat. land think we ought to accept
the bill if we can't get anything bet
ter"
Senator Cooke is also inclined to do
a little backing up. Senator Anderson.
however, can't see things just that
way.
I have stood for this measure for
years." declared Anderson, land it
would be infamous to accept such a
bill at this time. / don't approve Of the
house trying to bulldoze the senate into
accepting this report and 1 will never
vote for it,"
At II o'clock Senator Quincy was
pretty certain that he was against a
reconsideration. Then he visited the
governors office. At noon Quincy pre-
ferred not to make remarks for pub
Hcation and could not foretell Just
what might happen If a motion were
made to reconsider.
Cambern and Stannard are both radi-
cally opposed to any action that will
reverse the former stand Of the upper
house. They will oppose any motion to
think it over and are thoroughly of
the opinion that the bill is not fit for
public use.
Senator Bender, of Labette county.
was not present when the vote was
taken Saturday, but he is positive that
the former decision of the senate
should stand. He vouched for the
statement that he would oppose any
effort to accept the report.
Harris, of Butler, preferred not to
issue advance statements as to how he
felt in the matter; and Senator Ganse,
who was not present Saturday, said he
hadn't Strengthened the matter out in
his own mind. Potter, of Marion, says
he will oppose a reconsideration.
This bill,'' said Potter, takes away
| the discretion of the board, which must
accede to the statements of the utilities
and common carriers. whether true or
not. I would rather not have a bill
| than the one as has been offered to
| the legislature"
| Senator John Denton is against a
change of front in regard to the utili-
| ties measure, but Senator Brown be-
| lfeves that the senate should accept
the measure, who he declares is the
best to be had at this late hour.
These divided opinions among the ad-
ministration members will not have a
| tendency to promote harmony when a
motion is made to reconsider and the
question will open an avenue for a
breach in the heretofore solid organ
| ization of the insurgent faction.