The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-08-15
Governor Capper Isn't Afraid
of New Gas Threat.
lays Withdrawal of Service
Doesn't Scare Him.
SROWD FAVORS A REDUCTION
lass Meeting, TOPekans Would
Dismiss Receivership.
Fifteen Hundred Persons Hear
the Four Speakers.

Probably 1900 persons attended
meeting on the state house grounds
aTonday night when Governor Capper
ana other we'll known politicians spoke
fselingly regarding the Kansas Nat
dfaI Gas company, it's receivership.
5ndge Flannelly and lawyers in the
gas suits. Following the speeches the
crowd passed resolutions condemning
tHe increased gas rate and asking dis
kolution of the receivership.
Speeches were made by Governor
.raDDer Major A. NJ. Harvey, Repre-
tentative W. A. S. Bird and j. G. Wa
ters. The governors speech was the
most severe and emphatic of his po-
IfticaI career. He told the gas con-
sinners that his respect for highway
men exceeded his respect for Judge
flannelly and his court. He also de-
,elared the public should be protected
By statute against Zee graphing law
4ers and blood-sucking receiverShlpS.
he invited Robert Stone to proceed
NTH his contempt proceedings against
state officials. but did not accept the
stone challenge to call a special Iegls-
1ative session 10 handle the gas ques-
ton.
= All the harsh sentiments that men
eometimes want to unload concerning
courts and lawyers found expression
AT the gas meeting. Several speakers
found intense delight in flaying JUS
ice John s. Dawson, who had accept
I'd a fee from the gas company for a
service performed while he was at
Herney general.
Land on Stone. s..
= Robert Stone. well known Topeka
iawyer and speaker of the house of
Representatives had bad evening.
ais bAttih8i. iarerage slumped 100
fpofntss with the gas crowd when Gov
Il Ia threat
10 Withdraw gas Service was mere
duff Stone is an attorney for the
&as company receiver and he was
roasted and Toasted to the delight Of
many of the men and women who pre-
Tered a low gas rate to a high one.
- That statement that the gas SER
4dce may be withdrawn doesn't scare
me in the least said Governor Cap
per. ut is all big bluff
s Then the governor turned his at
4ention to Judge Flannelly of the
Montgomery county district court. He
declared the court was a disgrace to
the state and that his respect for
i4ighwayrnen. exceeded his esteem for
men who did questionable things be-
lind the cloak of friendly court pro-
.ssctioh. M ~
~ so long as courts of law make re-
eeiverships a public license to steal,
there will be small respect for the ad-
rninistration of law in the United
states and no illusions about the I'M
.certainties of justice" was the gov
ernor's farewell shot for Judge Elan
nelly.
4 Bird Wants an Ordinance.
w A. S. Bird. state representative
from Shawnee county, urged pressure
On the city commission to force an or
.dinance for a 2S-cent gas rate. This
action, he declared. would uphold j.
=. Bristow and the public utilities
tommission and give public approval
Is the action Of the commission. In
addition to this approval. persons
might then, refuse to pay the new rate
md the controversy could be aired in
ne local courts.
Major A. NJ. Harvey criticised the
Xas company for its increase In rates
IND declared the recent dollar mini
mum an extortion. ]. G. Waters, the
Hast speaker of the evening, devoted
much of his time to a criticism of the
ACTION of Justice Dawson for accept
Knce of fee as attorney for the gas
Company while holding the office of
attorney general. Following the
Meeting, the crowd loudly adopted a
4esolution calling for a reduction in
&as rates and asking for q dismissal of
he receiverShip action.