The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-08-04
1T is NEEDED
Senator Mcmillan Wants Spe.
ciaI Session
To Vote Aid for Farmers
Hodges Doesn't Think So.

Senator Harry Mcmillan of Ottawa
county today urged the calling OF a
special session of the legislature to lend
state aid to farmers in western Kansas
counties who are suffering because of
crop failures The Ottawa county SEN
ator believes that a half million dol
lars should be appropriated to aid
farmers in the stricken district and he
lieVes that many of the members Of the
legislature will come to Topeka for a
five day session without expense to the
state.
Conditions in western Kansas are
critical, according to Senator Mcmillan,
who came to Topeka today and discuss
ed his special legislative session plan
with several state house Democrats. He
proposes to write personal letters to the
165 members of the two houses and be-
1eVes that a majority of them will
volunteer to come to Topeka without
expense to the state. The special S, s.
sion, Senator Mcmillan believes, should
be limited to five days and no business
other than to aid the farmers in the
western counties should be transacted.
Farmers in dozen or fifteen of the
western counties are badly in need Of
assistance declared Senator Mcmillan,
and believe the only way to aid them
is for the state to take a hand and
to devise some means of making a loan
crop season. These people are not ask
ing for contributions, but they do need
help. The plan to furnish them seed
wheat is good one but they need
more than that. They need food and
and money with which to ouy
feed for their stock and to carry them
the winter. These men cannot
get money at the local banks. They
have no securities to offer and the only
way to help them is for the state to
take a hand
Asked as to the probable cost of ad-
vancfng aid to western farmers, Senator
said he believed it would cost
from 100000 to $1,O0OOOO.
Yet the state can well afford it, said
5 the senator, We are worth three billion
dollars and have 10000 automobiles and
small evidence of appreciation for the
state to furnish money to carry them over
the bad crop year which has followed the
ties.''
Where would the state get the million
ty senator was asked. 1T is claimed that
the 1913 levy will not raise more than
enough funds to handle the. states bus1-
ness for another u MONTHS
That would have to be provided for
said Senator Mcmillan. The, state could
to take care, of the obligation in its next
that he believed the legislature could be
called to Topeka with but little expense
"A five day session would be all that
think any other business ought to be
transacted: In the next few days L pro-
pose to write to the member and am con-
fident that many of them will come to the
session without expense to the state and
all of them, L think, will come for the pay
The special legislative session has been
much discussed in the last few days. 1t
states trouble with the Kansas Natural
Gas company and Governor Hodges and
ties commission, discussed the advisability
Of a special session in the effort to make
more fuel. The special session also bobbed
up in connection with the grain inspec-
ion difficulties. Compulsory grain inspec
ton is out of the question with the in
spection law in it's present condition. So,
with a special session, it seems quite sure
that the law makers would be urged to
AXE some action regarding the gas situa-
ion and grain inspection troubles
bot @dg n not Kansas nsaFy as
Senator Mcmillan. While he declined to |
comment on the Mcmillan special session |
plan, he declared that except in a few To- |
al instances, Kansas is in a fairly pros |
1erous condition.
That was a pretty bad year, too, sad
he governor. Crops were worth about |
900 -0oo.ooO that year This year there has |
-ieId, there is promise of a good late corn |
.rop and 6 fair yield OF early corn. There
las been some complaint from some local /
ties, but have received no news of |
farming conditions in any portion of the |
tate
That was all the governor cared to say
Lbout A special session for the aid of /
poverty stricken Kansas farmers.
rs there any possibility of a special
ession the gas and grain inspection
ituation?" was asked
Il can't say about the grain matter un-
il Mr.. Ross returns from Wichita said
he governor LAS for the gas matter, L
viii probably have something to say in a
ew days. I really don't think there is
nythiry to say about d special session at
his time.