The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-02-01
Already SO Adverse Bills in
Legislature.
This Despite Warning Message
of Governor.
MANY OF DRASTIC NATURE
Railway Men in Topeka Pre-
diet Earning Loss.
No Lobby Maintained by Roads
in This City.

Pending in the legislature are fiftv-
seven bills affecting railroads sdversa-
iy. Officers of the railroads in Topeka
say that if these measures are enacted
into law, their effect would be to wine
out practically the net earnings of tba
several lines in Kansas.
The introduction of SO manv anti
railroad bills was a surprise, in view
of the fact that neither political marty
mentioned railroads in its platform.
and the further fact that Governor
Hodges declared in his inaugural ad-
oress that there was no need of further
railroad legislation at this time.
The public utilities commission
said Governor Hodges, has unlimited
authority, and should use its power
not to hamper. but to aid in the de-
velopment of all public utilities Re-
markable railroad development and the
construction of new lines are in pro-
gress, proving the saneness of Kansas
railroad legislation now on the statute
books, and giving an added sense of
security to the investors of railroad
stocks and bonds"
Among the drastic anti-railroad bills
pending are: To require the railroads
to Increase their train crews, by en-
ploying for every freight train an ex-
ira brakeman. who, railroad men say
cdIlIiOI pOSSlDly De used IN the opera
t1onS of the train with safety to traf-
fic; to require the railroads to paw
their employees twice a month, instead
of once a month, the custom generally
followed over the country: to require
them to pay the salary and expense of
large number of men to inspect
locomotives; to require them to build
sheds and barns at every station for
live stock; to require them to stop all
passenger trains at county seat towns,
a bill aimed at California fast trains:
to require them to furnish free trans
portation on passenger trains both
ways for shippers of live stock; to re-
quire all railroads to incorporate under
Kansas laws; to prohibit the railroads
from holding the stock of any other
corporation such as terminal COM
panies union depots, coal mines and
the like
The railroads maintain no lobby at
Topeka. Each line is represented by
some of it's general officers, who are
duly registered in the offices of the
secretary of state. These officers have
appeared before the committees from
time to time and given their reasons
why the flood of anti-railroad bills
should not be enacted into laws.
Since it became known that several
drastic measures against the railroad
have been introduced, business men.
farmers and stock men in various parts
of the state, who believe that Kansas
is in need of further railroad develop
ment. have urged that members of the
legislature exercise care in the enact
ment of legislation tending to make
capital timid about Kansas invest
mentS
1--WE need the get-together spirit"
Governor Hodges said in his inaugural
address. Kansas needs more business
and less politics.; more pulling together
and less pulling asunder; a building up
policy instead of a destructive policy
Let politics take a back seat and busi-
ness builders take the reins and drive
awhile The man who takes up a cam
pairn of state development regardless
of party will command the everlasting
gratitude of a grateful public.