The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-07-12
HODGES PEEvISH
The Governor Much Displeased
Over Gas Situation.
Threatens to Take a Hand in
the Game Himself.

Governor Hodges announced today
that he would take a hand in the Kan
sas gas fight Just what will be the
first move has not been fully de-
termined by the Kansas executive.
The governor is rather peevish about
the actions of the gas company re-
ceivers and admits that he doesn't like
the way the federal receivers have act
ed since they went on the job last
December. Just now. it is up to Judge
Marshall to determine what action
shall be taken by the receivers in the
matter of securing more gas for the
Kansas consumers. If he upholds the
order issued Thursday by Henderson
S. Martin chairman of the Kansas
utilities commission, then the governor
believes that no action on the part
of the state will be necessary. If Judge
Marshall should ignore the Martin or
der, then Governor Hodges will begin
to look for trouble with the Kansas
Natural and the federal receivers.
Talk of Special Session.
In his Office today the governor was
asked as to the course he planned to
pursue.
4 haven't fully decided" he said.
"I only know that 1 will get into the
matter if the order to extend the pipe
lines is ignored. There has been some
suggestion of a special session of the
legislature. L do not know that any
relief could be had by calling the leg
isIature together. If the state at
tempted to take over the gas properties
then it would find itself in the same
position it was when it bucked the
Standard Oil company and attempted
to put in a refinery. The supreme court
would Immediately knock out any such
legislation and we would be just where
we are now.
Yet if relief can be obtained through
a special session of the legislature II
isn't at all improbable that one might
be called. The governor IS serious
about the gas question and indicates
that he intends to make hnis SO. nsil''
Would Custer Hold Good?
Then there is the custer proposition
But Governor Hodges doesn't seem to
favor such move-at this time, Y
sas Natural would help?" was asked.
L don't know about that. am not IN
favor of bluffing in the manner that the
Missouri legislature did in the Standard
Oil fight Neither am in favor OIL drlV-
ing capital from the state.
Says Receivers Are Dodging.
THE trouble is that the receivers seem
to be lodging and seem to want to drag
this thing out as long as possible, Salo
the governor, as he recalled the TACT tnat
the receivership calls for some big, fat
fees. There will be some big fees In this
case for the receivers, you know
IF the receivers really wanted to fur
nish gas to the people they could do it.
according to their own testimony con-
tinued Governor Hodges. The Morrison
report shows that quarter of a million
dollars was diverted by the company to
prevent it's being used in an interest pay
ment and to add to the showing of the in
Solvency of the company Right now the
company has nearly million dollars in
earnings. Every cent of it has been
earned since the receivers were appointed.
1t is admitted that there is plenty of gas.
The people of Kansas are entitled to IT
and I want to know why they can't have
it"
But just what action will you take to
get the gaS2' was asked.
Just at this time, don't know. But if
there is any course open that will compel
the receivers to get busy, 1 am going to
see that We get the gas was Hodges
reply.
Henderson Martin. chairman of tie
utilities commission, is on his way to Salt
Lake City, where he will present his order
to Judge Marshall and ask for its con-
firmation. Until the federal judge takes
some action the gas fight in Kansas is
at a standstin. The Martin order will be
presented Tuesday.