The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-02-20
NOTES OF SENATE
Fire Marshal Bill Revived and
Practically Passed.
Senator Wilson Snatches Vie
tory From Defeat.

A state fire marshal for Kansas is
practically assured. The senate this
morning, although making no official
recommend ton toward the passage of
the bill, amended it to the satisfaction
of all and sent il on the way to near
victory. The plan with a few changes
is similar to the measure killed a. short
time ago by the senate 1t was dug
out of its grave by Senator Wilson.
of Washington county, the heart action
was revived by his committee on in
surance and today it is being petted
and encouraged by practically every
member in the senate Funny world,
this,
1t appears that the near death of
the measure some time ago was caused
by the denouncing speech of Senator
Bowman, of Anderson county. Bowman
deputies having the power of arrest
and the right to go through the private
residences of the people of the state
hunting for evidence. Chairman VIII
son, of the insurance committee. re-
moved the private investigation objec-
ton and Senators Howe and Price
dipped out the police power of the
marshal This touched off the harmony
skyrockets-and after that it was
smooth sailing. The senate spent most
of the morning amending and patching
the bill to the satisfaction of all
The Office of state marshal is to be
established 80 days after the passage
of the act His term of Office is to
be four years with a salary of s.. 500.
He is to be given a deputy fire marshal
and a number of inspectors. The ex-
pense of the office will be paid by the
insurance companies who are to be
taxed three-eighths of 1 per cent of a
sum equal to the gross cash receipts
as premiums on all business transact
ed in the state.
The fire marshal may investigate the
cause, origin and circumstance of any
fire occurring within the state. He also
may order an investigation which Will
and may furnish evidence to the coun-
ty attorney for prosecution.
Another duty of the fire marshal is t.
keep complete record of ali the fires in
the state showing the names of the own
ers of the property, the occupants, the
amount of insurance carried, the amount
gether with all facts and circumstances
surrounding the probable origin of the
fire An annual report is to be made to
the governor stating all the statistics on
the blazes in the state.
Among the duties that the fire marsha
shall insist upon is the monthly fire drill
in all the schools throughout the state
If the marshal believes that a fire
trap should be condemned he will have
the power to either order its destruction,
or do 1t himself. The owner is to be COM
penSated
The determination of the senate to pass
the house bill providing for a compulsory
inspection of grain at the state line IA
Kansas has aroused several gram deale.
throughout the state. This morning every
member of the upper house found on his
desk a telegram from some grain dealers
objectlpg to the bill and declaring that il
was an imposition on the growers and
handlers of grain in Kansas.
t. Simpson pure shoe bill awaits
only the signature of the governor before
it becomes a law. The few minor COM
mittee amendments were approved by the
senate this morning by a vote Of 81 to /
Several manufacturers and dealers are
before Governor Hodges today insisting
that the bill be vetoed. They claim it Is
vicious and that it is not fair to the
makers of shoes
The first branch experimental agricut-
tural station in this senate session glided
through the upper house this morning.
Twenty-four senators voted for an ap-
preparation for $1,000 for a state instftu-
ton near Lakin in Kearney county.