The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-08-17
Demands for EnactmentS Curb
ing Judicial Power.
Capper Announces His Latest
Course in Gas Fight.
WON'T TRUST TO DEMOCRATS
Governor VIII Wait Until He
Has Republican Senate.
Vigorous Action Against Power
of Court in Kansas.

Governor Capper announced tocay
he would ask for a legislative invesu-
CATION of the gas question. He ls also
considering impeachment proceedings
against Judge John r. Flannelly OF
Montgomery county, who is TO be
hailed before the state senate. De-
mands will also be made on the legis-
lature for enactments curbing judicial
power and fat fees in receiverships-
The governors drastic program of
procedure in the Kansas Natural gas
litigation was announced today before
he started for Clay county. 1t is not
the governors plan to call special
session of the legislature. He does not
care to entrust the Flannelly matter to
the Democrat senate. Expense OF a
special session is also great. So the
governor will wait until the new leg
islature comes to Topeka in January.
In a discussion of the gas contro-
versy today Governor Capper made
clear that he proposed to carry the
gas fight to finish. He will continue
his indictment of the gas receivership
in his speeches during the campaign
and will urge legislative action. He
will take his program before the leg
islature and will ask for a joint in
Vestigation of the gas receivership, the
big fees and the action of Judge Flan-
nelly of the Montgomery county dis
trict court.
Criminal Prosecution May Follow.
That criminal prosecutions might
follow the findings of the legislative
garded as most probable in the COVER
nor's drastic program for action
against persons connected with the
gas receivership. The legislative COM
-. =
mony and make findings and recon-
mendations to the governor. The gov
ernor may then direct the attorney
general to bring criminal or civil pro-
ceedings against persons involved.
Il shall certainly ask for a leeisla-
tive investigation of this receivership
matter" said the governor 1T is a
disgrace to the state and 1 propose to
go to the bottom of it In view Of the
fact that the legislature meets IN To-
peka in a little more than four
months, I do not deem it wise, at this
time. to call n special session. How
ever, / have never said flatly that 1
would not call special session If an
emergency demand such action.
Expense of special session is
great and 1 believe the desired results
can be secured thru the next regular
session. 1 shall ask not only for a
thoro investigation of the gas mat
ter by joint committee from the two
houses, but shall also ask for most
positive legislation. This matter of
as well as the action of courts in ap-
pointing these receivers and allowing
the excessive fees. My plan is TO go
thoroly into the entire matter
Governor Capper was asked il his
program included the citation of
Judge Flannelly before the state SEN
ate for impeachment proceedings.
\ Searching Investigation.
That will most likely will be one
of the matters brought before the leg
islature," said the governor. Just
the procedure to be followed, l can
not say AT this time. but 1 will stop
with nothing short of the most search
ing investigation"
The governors declaration today
was the most sensational development
in the gas rate controversy. 1t followed
4 number Of speeches in which Gov
ernor Capper bitterly arraigned Judge
Flannelly, the receivers and attorneys
in the case. Until today, however,
the governor had not positively out
lined his campaign of procedure, fur
ther than to announce that he would
demand dissolution of the receiVership
and complete removal of the cases
from Judge Flannelly's jurisdiction.
This s a matter Of state wide con-
cern and has become a state dis
grace" declared the governor 1 shall
certainly discuss he matter in public
places and believe the state will de-
mand a full investigation of the case
and the mtn connected with the gas
receivership."
Governor Capper was asked if he
anticipated action by the Republican
party council when the platform is
written in Topeka August %
The council could do well by meet
ing this situation frankly and firmly"
said the governor. PERSONALLY I do
not believe I shall ask for a platform
plank touching the matter, but would
not be surprised if some such action
were taken"
GoVernor Capper left today for
Green, Clay county, whore he speaks
TINS afternoon at a joint picnic of
IaTIners from Clay, Washington and
RlIey counties. 1t is reported that the
versy in his Clay county speech,
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