The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-01-10
Lower Branch Legislature Es-
tablishes New Record.
Usual Average Is From IS to
$50 on First Day.
ONE DRASTIC PROVISION IS IN
Amendment Would Permit
State Internal Improvements.
Robert Stone Leads an Early
Economy Battle.

Kansas house members today estab<
lished a new record when they swung
into the opening day for introducing
bills by offering just eighteen pro-
posed enactments. An average OPEN
ing day in the house calls for from rs
to $50 bills. Two important constitu-
tional amendments were proposed by
house members. ~
Following out the program for
economy and efficiency, the house ap-
piled economy in contracting printing
bills 1t reduced the publication OF
Governor Capper's message from $500
copies to 1000 copies. Then it re-
duced the printing bill on house rules
by cutting the publication order from
500 to 200 copies.
Robert Stone of Shawnee county de
rected the economy fight today when
he moved a slash in printing bills.
Gilman of Leavenworth had moved
the printing of 1000 copies of the gov
ernor's message. Allen of Wyandotte
thought the state should print at lease
$500 copies. Gilman was willing.
Then Stone spoke. He mentioned the
high cost of paper and referred to the
governors efficiency and economy
program. He suggested 1000 copies.
His motion was adopted.
A few minutes later the house saved
SIS more. Layton had urged the print
ing of 500 copies of the house rules.
Wilmoth of Cloud thought 500 copies
were too many for 125 members. He
moved to make the order read geo
copies. Looking anxiously for the
nickels and dimes, the house approved
the amendment for 200 copies of the
rules.
House members started the session
by introducing fewer bills than any
lower house in Kansas in recent years.
Usually the first day for introduction
of bills calls for a deluge of from rs
to $50 measures. Today, tho, there
were just eighteen bills in the house
hopper.
Wilmoth Lays Down Bars.
Representative Wflmoth of Cloud
county introduced the most drastic
provision of the day. A concurrent
resolution by the Cloud county lawyer
provides for a constitutional amends
ment permitting the state to engage in
all manner of internal improvements,
including Industrial improvements.
Not only would the Wilmoth resolu-
ton permit the state to build public
highways, but would enable the state
to engage in other pursuits. So
sweeping is the measure that should il
pass the legislature and be approved
by the voters, the state might engage
in any manner of business. 1t might
build roads, construct cement plants to
provide materials, operate oil refin-
cries to provide oil for the roads and
might do any one of a dozen other
things.
Another constitutional amendment
proposed today came from Wilmoth
who would follow his internal im-
provement provision by constitutions
al amendment providing for a three-
fourths jury verdict in all cases. Rep
resentative Carson of Clay county, iu-
troduced bill in the house providing
for a three-fourths verdict in all civil
cases.
Wants Another Commission.
The first measure providing for
creation of more boards and commis-
sions came today from Robert Stone
of Shawnee county. who proposed the
creation of a commission on uniform
state laws. The commission, to be
composed of three members appointed
by the governor. would serve without
pay, altho the state would appropriate
money for expenses.
Stones bill provides that members
of the commission shall attend con-
ferences on uniform state government
and make recommendations to the
next legislature. The purpose of the
bill is to secure a system of state ws
consistent with laws of other states
Inree other bllls were introduced by
stone. One concerns the cancellation
of life insurance policies by other
than mutual companies. Another pro-
vides for adoption of a uniform bill of
lading by railroads third bill stip-
ulates that candidates for district and
supreme court judgeships must be
more than 80 years old and must
have been engaged in active practice
of law for at least five years preced-
/ ing the election
The Rebate System.
Two measures in the house hopper
today provide for repeal of the rebate
/ system in tax payments. Wilmoth of
! Cloud county and Moore of Cowley
county each introduced bills in the
house which will wipe out the tax re-
bate system. but leave the penalty
clause intact.
Much complaint has been made con-
/ corning the five per cent rebate clause
in the state tax law. The present law
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