The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-02-18
State Administration Awaits
Outcome Of Big Conference.
Committee May End in q Dead
lock, Is RlmOr Today.
WARFARE HAS Been DECLARED
Appropriation Trouble Causes
Differences Between Houses.
Governor Capper May Act in
Case of Lack Of Harmony.

This is a day Of anxiety for the
state administration. Today approprt-
atoms in the neighborllood of three
million dollars hang in the balance
and await the judgment of a half doz-
en- conference committees. The result
Of the reports of these committees will
doubtless determine actual interior
ence in legislative affairs by Governor
Capper and the sending of special
economy message both to the house
and senate.
Leaders in both houses today admit
that actual warfare has been declared
and that there Is an excellent chance
for a deadlock over appropriations.
The house has trimmed two-thirds OF
a million dollars from appropriation
items sent to that body from the sem
ate. The senate has just as promptly
and just as CURLY refused to concur in
the reductions. In fact the senate
asked for conferees with such haste
that it almost made the house leaders
dizzy Today the trouble is in the
hands of the conference committees.
House VIII Stand Pat.
House leaders declare they will stay
with the reports and recommendations
of their committee. The senate is just
as obstinate. If the house Republic
cans are willing that the appropriation
bills be tied up in conference, senate
Democrats make haste to reply that
they have not the least objections.
Unless the Democrats of that body
change their minds-and there has
the state administration may wait
for the big spring thaw before expect
ing a senate back-up.
That is the situation today. Gov
ernor Capper is watching the progress
-or lack Of progressed the confer
q ~
situation Is not cleared up before the
end of the week. While Governor
Capper has made no public statement
to the effect that he would send a
special message to the legislature II
the appropriation difficulties were not
adjusted, he has done anything but
indicate that he will not interfere.
=. Former Executive Interference.
All of which may add new and I'M
expected complications. Executive in
reference with appropriations has
been tried in former sessions. Once
that was in the 1911 session-Gov-
ernor Stubs sent message to the
pruning knife. Not only did Stubbs
ask for retrenchments. but he de-
manded them. And this was what
happened. The senate sent back a
curt, right to the point, written by
Price of Clark reply to the effect that
If the auburn haired governor wanted
a few items removed from the appro-
priation bills. would he kindly en-
tighten the legislature with a state
ment of the items to be removed.
There is nothing in the senate record
to show that Governor Stubs ever
sent a reply to that message.
Maybe the same thing will happen
this year. The house has stuck to its
ways and means committee as loyalty
as a sailor to n sinking ship. The SEN
ate has passed it's appropriations for
state charities and a few miscella-
neous institutions and departments
and has shown no indication that it
desires to reduce the amounts.
Should the conferees succeed in get
ting together on a few of the appro-
priation items now at issue, one OF
2 both branches of the legislature may
refuse to concur. An increase in its
appropriations will test the sincerity
of house Republicans. A decrease in
their appropriations will test the 10y
atty of the Democratic senate. Re-
fusal of either house to change Their
original course will check the ques-
ton squarely up to Governor Capper
A special message to the legislature
will probably be the first step toward
a solution of the present muddle.
And conference committees and
special messages failing in their pur.
pose. a beautiful opportunity for g
deadlock is visible on the Legislative