The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-03-13
Gov. HODGES VIEW
He Was Not Pleased With
Work of Closing Days.
But Legislature as Whole Was
Most Successful.

0oNernor George H. Hodges isn't the
least bit pleased with the work of his
Democratic legislature during the clos
ing days of the session. And Governor
Hodges, who has already esta blished a
record for candid expression of senti-
ment, doesn't hesitate to say Just what
ne thinks of the work of the last week
In the last few days, party pledges
went to the scrap heap along with local
bills and pet measures of individual
members. from all outward appear
ances, the legislature forgot all about
party pledges in those closing days and
worked with the sole purpose of going
nome as soon as possible. And in their
haste some very important Democrat
legislation was ditched
Here are some of the party measures
and important bits of legislation that
failed in the closing week.
Initiative and referendum.
Mortgage registration tax law.
Compulsory grain inspection law.
minimum wage for women.
Maximum hour law.
Graduated Inheritance tax law.
judicial reapportionment bill.
Those are all Democratic party
pledges. In the last week of the SEES
sion there was an opportunity to have
put every one of these measures in the
sack. But the legislature didn't do it,
Il am frank to say that I am not
at all satisfied with the closing
days of the session." said Governor
Hodges today. "At least five or
six important Democratic party
pledges died on our hands and don't
think there was any occasion for it.
we needed a compulsory grain in
spection law and needed it badly" con-
tinued the governor. "At present the
grain shipper is the victim of the Kan
sas City board of trade and will be
until such law is passed
That Registration Tax Law.
Then take the mortgage registration
tax law. 1t should have been passed and
the legislature should have agreed on
tration tax was in both party platforms
and the Republicans are equally responst-
bic with the Democrats for the failure OF
the bill. This law would have lessened
the rate of interest to the borrower,
would have brought a multitude of new
funds into the state and would have
meant thousands of dollars in increased
taxes.
"A collateral inheritance tax law should
taxaton of direct heirs G but tax aS ' one
the property owned in Kansas by non
residents would have meant much to our
state. Take for instance the railroad in
terests. They are controlled almost
tfrely by foreign capital There is
SON why on the death of these magnates
that the state should not realize on their
vast properties.
LAS for the failure of the initiative and
referendum, it was In both party plat
forms and the record of the Democrats
has been consistent. I only wish that
the measure might have been passed.
Viewing the session whole, it has
been most successful in my opinion. Tie
members have worked hard and faithful
ly and more party pledges redeemed and
more good laws written than in the rec
ord of any former legislature in Kansas"
Governor Hodges also wanted the mini
mum wage and the maximum hour laws
as well as the judicial reapportionment
measures. All were lost in the closing
hours of the session. Only review OF
the work Of the legislature for the SIS
days it was in Topeka, adds to the hap
piness of the Kansas executive. He is not
pleased with the final week and admits
it But for the session, Governor Hodges
declines to concede that any former leg
islature in Kansas ever made a better