The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-02-13
Kansas City Star and Topeka
Capital Submissive Now.
Readers Only Laugh at ''$15,OO0
Kill Bone Dry" Story.
NO BLAME ON LEGISLATORS
Editors Shower Them With
Compliments, in Regret.
Meanwhile the Brewers Are
RidicuIed as 'Easy Marks"

Following introduction of the reso-
luton in the state senate calling for a
legislative investigation of stories con-
corning a $4,000, slush fund with
which to defeat the bone dry liquor
bill. both Governor Capper's Topeka
Daily Capital and the Kansas City
r-Times-which has sought to di-
rect Kansas legislation from dis
tance-have fallen on their knees to
apologize. Both papers today spoke
in the most laudatory manner of the
Kansas senate-the senate which the
previous day was pointed to in scorn
and suspicion and which today beat
the pet constitutional convention reso-
luton.
Action by the governors paper and
the Kansas City publication is a com
plete and absolute back down of the
story. 1t has been freely charged
that the two papers sought to compel
the senate to Jump thru a hoop" thru
publication of the slush fund story.
Instead the senate kicked back. de-
manded facts and evidence. Now the
papers are on their knees in supplica-
ton and pleading.
Story Is Absurd.
"Of course the report is absurd
says the governors paper today in its
lead editorial. Then it curries favor
With the senate with laudatory refer
ence to the integrity. ability and hon
esty of Senator F. c. Price, chairman
of the judiciary committee. It was to
Prices committee the bill was sent
Not one of them" says the Cap
ital in speaking of the personnel of
the Judiciary committee, but is above
Suspicion of any mercenary or sordid
motive, however, much they may diff
fer as to legislation, and not one but
is above suspicion of any sympathy
with booze or the booze dispenser. The
booze lobbyist who would seek to in
fluence these gentlemen would exhibit
far more nerve than discretion
But it is only fair to the mem bers of
the senate judiciary committee to say
that they are above and beyond such
influence"
That after a front page spread the
previous day.
Back-up by Star.
Now comes the Kansas City Times
with back-up so complete and final
and thorough as to wipe out all sus-
picion. The Capital, which had pass
ed the buck to the Kansas City news
paper, now finds the Kansas City pub
ncauon, getting out from under. This
IS a portion of the Times protestation
of the honor, dignity and honesty OF
the Kansas senate:
Nobody who has any knowledge of the
Judlclary committee of the senate would
think of placing single member of il
under suspicion of being influenced by
money on any measure. But even if they
were that kind of legislators, everybody
| who knows the prohibition sentiment in
Kansas would know that it would be q
foolish and reckless waste of money to
spend as much as Is cents to prevent the
| bill from coming before the senate. Ten
! times $4,000 would not stop that measure
| What the judiciary committee is trying
! to do with the bone dry" bill is to make
| its validity.
The bone dry bill is sure to become a
| law at this session. And when it becomes
a law it will be as strong as the best law
| yers in the state, the lawyers in the sen
ate and the attorney generals office can
make it.