The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-03-01
Topeka Society and Club
Woman BaniShed From Floor.
Lobby Law Enforced Through
Complaint From Davis.
OTHER LOBBYISTS THROWN OUT
Billiard Hall Representatives
Pointed Out by Member.
Sergeant-at-Arms Given Orders
to Clear the Floor.

Mrs. Lila Day Monroe. Topeka So
ciety and club woman, was banished
from the floor of the senate chamber
this morning along with two billiard
hall representatives and another lob
byist or two when attention was called
to their presence by Senator j. M. Da-
Wis in a resolution directing the attor-
ney general to investigate their activ-
tiles with a view to enforcing the
lobby law, which carries with it a fine
of $4,000. The resolution was called
forth by the presence of Frank Curry
and J. c. Cummings of Kansas City.
both registered as lobbyists on meas
ures affecting pool and billiard halls.
a time when the Davis bill was un-
der consideration.
II should like to cali the attention
of the senate to the fact that at this
moment there are on the floor of the
senate persons registered as lobbyists
for the defeat of such measures as
this" said Senator Davis in the course
of the discussion of a motion for the
postpOnement of consideration of his
bill. 1t was tip to the lobbyists to
make themselves scarce, for their
presence was in violation of the SEN
ate's rules on the subject, but neither
Curry nor Cummings saw fit to take
it. Davis waited a few minutes be-
fore he reopened fire, but when he
did he aimed straight.
Il should like to move that the SER
geant at arms be instructed to clear
the floor of lobbyists and to call his
attention to the two men who are
standing behind the pillar on the
north side of the floor. ! also move
that the attorney general be instruct
ed to investigate violations of the
state lobby law in this senate cham
ber this morning with view to en-
forcing the penalty, which is fine
of $4,000"
II second the I. otion," said Senator
Shouse. Twice this morning l have
been interrupted while trying to attend
to my duties by persons interested in
the passage of bills
Sergeant at Arms Louie Hans pro-
ceeded to clear the floor.
His services, however were not
needed so far as the two billiard hall
men were concerned. With the eyes
of the senate upon them, one moved
silently toward the rear door while
the other sought the main exit from
the chamber. A few minutes later
they appeared seated on neutral
ground in the balcony.
1t was Mrs. Monroe, representing
the club women of the state in be-
half of various welfare bills. and Miss
Elsie +. Truskett of Kansas City, in
terested in the modification of laws
affecting penal institutions. whom the
sergeant invited to leave. They did so
without objection. but Miss Truskett
was permitted to return at the per-
sonal request of Senator f. J. Over
field. Nobody intervened, however. on
behalf of Mrs. Monroe. and the moth
ers' pension and minimum wage bills
spent the balance of the morning
without the guardianship of the wom-
ems lobby.
House Slaps Lobby.
The house this afternoon followed
the action of the senate and banished
the lobby. The motion to exclude
lobbyists from the floor of the lower
branch of the Legislature was made by
Ferrcll of Chautauqua county at the
request of Speaker Stone. The motion
carried by a vote of sc to So.
Action in removing the lobby pre-
ceded consideration of the workmen's
compensation bill Waggoner of
Cherokee fought the motion to exclude
the lobby. When Ferrells motion car
ried, he served notice on the house
members that he would call the speak
er's attention to every infringement
on the rule during the remainder OF
the session. Speaker stone said ne
would welcome such information.