The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-26
Want A new LAW
Bone Dry Workers Desire Spe-
ciaI Legislature.
Permit COnfiscatiOn of Cars
That Carry Liquor.
SENTIMENT is DIVIDED HERE
No Hurry About Passing Ma
tiOnaI Prohibition Amendment.
Many Want Appropriation for
Home Guard Companies.

Home Guard Companies.
There will be more hardships and
trouble for the Kansas bootlegger II
Governor Capper calls a special seS-
sion of the state Legislature. Ahother
reason for special state legislation was
advanced today in a letter which . M:
Brewster. attorney general. received
from federal authorities The law
would provide for seizing and contis-
eating motor cars used in transporta-
ton OF liquor from Missouri to Kansas
Now that the state is talking ABOUT
"a special session and Governor cap
Der is giving the matter earnest con-
sideration many proposed laws are
being discussed. The latest anu
louor measure means honest 10 good
ness lamentations for the motor car
Iiouor merchant. Under the proposed
law all cars used to carry liquor from
1et to dry territory would be subJect
to seizure by law enforcement ana
might be confiscated Under court
order. The law would provide Tor lne
disposaI of the car just as bar-rooin
fixtures and equipment are now con-
fiscated. ~.
a-'t Passage of the new measure would
be urged to stop for all time the auto
mobile Transportation of liquors from
Missouri to Kansas points. For sew
eral months an extensive motor car
TRANSPORTATION of liquor from Jophn
and Kansas City has been carried on
by iointists and boOtleggers VINO own
their own cars. Under a recent rullhs
nj the state supreme court, these cars
NAV be destroyed by police oft1c1als
under court orders when IL is SHOWN
that sales are made from the cars
Under the proposed law a car would
be subject to confiscation when used
for the transportation of liquor either
for personal use or commercial pur-
poses.
Final Dry Move.
The letter to General Brewster to-
dav urged state legislation covering
the subject 1t is the final step. it is
Believed in the movement which has
for its purpose the making OF Kansas
astrictly and bona fide bone dry state
Much consideration has been given
in state house and pc litical circles to
the proposal Of J. T. Botkin. secretary
OF state, for law permitting the sol
Jiers in France and in the canton
Tuents of this country to vote in the
1918 primaries and general election.
In order to provide election privileges,
however. special legislation must be
provided. The next regular session
Of the state legislature will not be held
until January, 1919. If the kansans
wEo are answering the nations call
are permitted to retain their rights to
vote, TIE state must seemingly take
early action to provide the necessary
legal machinery. Such relief it is
pointed out, can come only thru spe-
cial session of the state legislature.
With more than 100 home guard
organizations in the state many Kan
sas communities desire a special legis-
latiVe session that provision may be
made for adequate and necessary
home defense. The work is now han
died largely a patriotic service, linn
tied funds from limited war time APP
preparation being provided from the
office of Charles S. Huffman adiu-
tant general An emergency fund for
state institutions in order to meet war
Time conditions is also urged as a rea-
sohable cause for special session
Several new federal enactments also
call for state action ard add to the
reasons which are said to cause Gov
ernor Capper to give serious concern
-Io-a special legislative call.
e-s., Many answers are coming from leg
-islative members in response to the
governors recent letter. Most of these
letters, however, are said to deal en-
tirely with the question of ratification
OF the national prohibition ' amend
ment- Since there is no question as to
the ultimate action Kansas will take
on this question, there is said to be a
division of sentiment as to the need of
Especial session for the one purpose
While the governors office has made
mo statement defining the legislative
sentiment, independent reports tndi-
-cate that a majority of the IegislatiIc
members believe that with other i'm.
portant matters pending, a special
session during the winter months NAV
be justified. Many of the members
tho, favor a special session that Kan
sas may lead the states in ENDORSING
national prohibition.
ssa State political leaders doubt the de.
sire of Governor Capper to call the
legislature to Topeka for a special SEES
sion for the mere purpose of ratifyint
national prohibition. With the new
problems confronting the state in view
of the war situation and the need o.
an emergency fund for state institu
tions and state aid for local defenses
there is a belief that the state execu
tive is giving the matter serious
thought
No Call for Some Time.
sn There is little probability that tn,
state legislature may be called int,
special session before late January
State departments have been housed
in Representative hall and the Senat,
chanhr since early last summer pend
ing com pletion OF repairs on the ca s
wing of the state house. This worl
viii not be completed before the mid
die Of next month. Until the DEPART
ments can return to their origina
.s,uarters the legislative halls will no
In ,-ai1a tie for sessionS