The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-02-08
Printing of Unions Good Roads
Resolution Opposed.
Barr Cries, "CalI OF Those
Dogs of the Bridge Trust"
HIlKEY HANDS OUT HOT ONE
Senate Very Anxious to Hear
From the "Deer Peepul."
Then 1t Doesn't Want to Listen
to Them, He Asserts.

Charges that there is a bridge trust
pounding him over the back" as
chairman of the senate committee on
roads and bridges were made on the
floor of the senate by Senator Barr
of Bourbon.
The first venom exhibited on the
floor of the senate developed over the
reading of the resolution adopted by
the Farmers Union protesting against
the passage of good roads legislation
now before the senate. 1t developed
over a motion made by Senator Price
of Clark, that 1000 copies of the res
olution be printed for the use of the
senators.
Within ten minutes senators about
faced on the question of submitting
it to the people"
For hours the senate had been fight
I ing over the proposed constitutional
convention. One senator after an
other had stood up and pleaded that
the resolution calling for a constitu-
tional convention be submitted to the
people. You can always trust the
people to do the right thing" quoted
one senator after another.
Then the scene changed. The con-
stithtional matter was disposed of and
Senator Prices motion to print copies
! of the farmers resolution came up.
Senator Barr, author of the con-
/ stitutional convention resolution, and
one of those who favored leaving it
to the people, was on the floor in
stantly.
Knew the Purpose.
Il want to know" he demanded.
! and would like to have the senator
from Clark explain, the purpose of
this motion
s'The purpose is very simple, aItho
think it is stated Clearly in the mo-
ttion." replied the suave senator from
Clark. This resolution was adopted
by fifteen hundred farmers represents
ing many thousands. 1t should GER
ta1nly be in order to have copies Of
the resolution printed in order that
the people might know what the
farmers think about this road legisIa-
ton. 1t is merely an effort to leave
it to the people.
Half dozen constitutional conven-
ton enthusiasts were on their feet
instantly in attitudes of self defense.
but the chair recognized Senator
Hickey. of Usage.
We've been listening to a lot Of
talk here this afternoon" he said.
about leaving it to and hearing from
the people. Now we have heard from
the people and we don't want to know
what they say. L am very much IN
favor of the motion to print the reso-
luton"
Senator Barr was trembling when
he arose and walked into the aisle. He
declared the motion to have copies
of the farmers resolution printed was
a deliberate effort to get people Jut
over the state to protest against the
good roads legislation proposed.
Il know what the purpose of this
motion is he said. COPIES of thus
resolution will be distributed over the
state and people all over the state who
know nothing about the legislation
proposed will send in protests"
THAT, as l understand it, would be
leaving it to the people" interrupted
Senator Getty. Of wyandotte. But
Senator Barr did not take notice.
I Bridge Trust at Work.
Il want to say right now" he de-
lclared with increased heat. that I
have been pounded over the back by
the bridge trust ever since ! have
legislation. You say there is no bridge
trust 1 do business with county COM
missioners in forty counties and I
want to tell you that when repre-
sentative of a bridge company tells
me that unless 1 do SO and SO the
county commissioners will get to me-
am convinced that there is a trust.
IF l never come back to this sem
ate, and 1 doubt If / will; If 1 lose
every dollar have in this fight, I am
going to continue to fight for what I
think is right and for what think
the state ought to have
Senator Price insisted upon his mo-
ton. Senator kimball of Labette
slipped in motion for adjournment,
which is not debatable. 1t was voted
upon and lost and the debate over
Prices motion began again. Five
minutes later Kimball again moved to
adjourn. A standing vote was taken.
1t lost again and the debate contin-
ued. The third motion to adjourn
was successful and the senate adj
journed without acting upon Senator
Prices motion that the Farmers
resolution be printed.
He announced today that he would
bring the matter up again late this
afternoon.