The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-01-15

Topeka the last two weeks, in an Ell
fort to present a bill that will meet
demands of all labor bodies. On the
other hand the corporations will de-
mand several changes in the law me
labor organizations have shown little
tendency to consult the corporations
regarding their plans Nor have the
corporations called upon the fedora
ton of labor for friendly advice.
Simply Won't Agree.
At present both sides in the labor
dis re are making their own flghl'
When changes in the compensd.lo
act were discussed several montns 49,
the labor organizations faileo 70 Ieaoi
an agreement with the big corpora
tionsl They refused to accede TO
some of the demands of the corpora
tions and the corporations feluseu -
meet the labor demands. 30 tne lIs -
is to be carried before the leglslaseeuIs
with the prospect that II wiz O. tbe
one of the most livery Straps
present session.
The compensation bill amendments
as proposed by the labor organizations
will be whipped into shape III
next ten days, it is reported An
fort will be made to secure the ihtIo-
duction of the measure as coiili lll.
tee bill At this time, tho, II seems
quite improbable that the committee
will shoulder the responsibility OF en-
dorsing either the recommenodeloli9
of the labor organizations or the cor
norations AS a result, the committee
may elect to write an entirely lhoe-
pendent bill.
Travis Has Bill.
| Frank L. Travis of Allen county, is
preparing a new compensation bill
which is said to incorporate num-
Der of the labor demands and over
look several other demands. Travis
| is slated to meet this week with the
committee from the federation OF
labor for the purpose of discussing
the bill. At this time, tho, it does not
seem probable the federation VIII ap-
prove the Travis bill and until today,
at least, Travis had not remodeled his
bill to meet all of the demands OF
labor organizations or corporations
Two years ago Travis was at the
front in the fight over provisions In
the compensation act. His bill was
battered and hammered in an all-day
fight and after five hours on the
floor of the house required an intro
duction to Travis and its friends. Nor
did the bill suit the opposition. And
now the fight is to be staged all over
again.
Must Provide Court Costs.
Representative Woodhouse of Sedg-
wick county not only proposes to re-
duce the extent of litigation in Kan
| SaS courts, but to lessen the expense OF
| taxpayers. He will go before the
house Judiciary committee this week
in an effort to secure a favorable re-
port on his bill TO limit litigation an6
provide for the payment of court costs
by litigants.
The Woodhouse bill simply takes the
life out of the indoor sport of filing
suits against corporations by person:
who provide poverty affidavits. Wood
house declares that in four year:
Sedgwick county has paid S46. 500 fol
this class of litigation. Now he want:
to stop the filing of damage suits a
the expense of the taxpayer. Ht
would provide that poverty affidavit.
be certified personally before the clerl
of the district court and that cour
costs be provided by plaintiffs in al
actions except where poverty affidavit:
are accepted. When deposits for cost:
have been eaten up by litigation
, Woodhouse provides that the cour
may direct the plaintiff to make add
uonal deposits to cover expenses.
Il believe that passage of this bill
will lessen litigation in this state from
so to 40 per cent" said Woodhouse
land will reduce court expenses to tn.
taxpaying public nearly so per cent
1t will simply do away with the fish
ing trips for judgments against indi
viduals and corporations by person:
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