The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-01-18

granting or refusal or divorce DEGREES.
In many parts of the state the law has
been unpopular 1t failed to cure the
divorce evil or to lessen the demands
abolish the law.
Face a New Divorce Bill.
Action of the house in voting to re-
peal the divorce proctor act, tho, has
not blocked the demand for some re-
lief from the divorce evil. The house
judiciary committee recommended for
passage a bill providing for delay of
sixty days in the granting of divorce
DEGREES except in extreme or unusual
cases. Under the bill from the judi
ciary committee, the trial court may
declare an emergency and a decree
granted at the pleasure of the court.
The esta blished rule under the bill,
tho, will checke the granting of di-
vorces for sixty days following the fill
ing of a petition.
More Booze Bills.
Another flood of liquor bills has
gone to the house hopper. A bill by
Geddes, of Butler county, provides
that all liquor sales-first, secOnc or
fortieth-constitute a felony Geddes
provides a maximum of two years in
the penitentiray for the sale of liquor,
regardless of the record of former Of
lenses. A minimum of six months III
Jail, instead of thirty days as under
the present law, is provided. The law
at this time makes second offenses a
felony.
Another liquor bill came from Bard
we'll, of Riley. It prohibits the pub
LEGATION, circulation or distribution in
this state of liquor advertisements or
literature. A fine of $100 and thirty
DAYS in Jail is the penalty which Bard
well would provide.
Extend DISCRIMINATION Law.
Moore. of Cowley county. offered a
bill extending the provisions of the
Observation-Disclosures act to reach grain
dealers. His measure provides PEN
atty for persons who operate a string
of elevators or warehouses and pay
higher or lower rates fer grain
freight rates considered-in various
communities or in an effort to strangle
competition. The measure is an ex-
tension of the present anti-discrimina-
ton law and is demanded, Moore
stated, by grain men in a number OF
counties in the wheat producing dis
trict.
Want More Pay.
The legislature las been in Topeka
ten days, Many of the members have
begun to realize that the So a day TO
members does not meet expenses IN
order to relieve conditions in view OF
the high cost of living. Mack, of Har-
xey county. has introduced In the
house a resolution providing Tor SUD-
mission to the votres of a constitutional
amendment allowing legislators $500
for the session The measure re
moves the fifty day session limit and
Drovides that each member shall re-
ceive $500 for his services during
legislative session, regardless or the
date of final adjournment
Establish County Courts.
Brooks of Chautauqua county, Of
fared in the house a proposed law
creating county courts. He makes the
nrohate Judge ex-officio judge of the
court and the clerk of the district
court and sheriff ex-officio officers of
the court. The court, under the bill,
would have original jurisdiction in all
civil cases in which sums not exceed
ing 81, 600 are involved Appeal from
the county court would be direct to
the district court.
Must Use DINNERS.
Motor car drivers in rural districts
must use DINNERS on cars under pro-
Rock county He also provides that
rear lights as we'll as headlights be
used on all cars beginning thirty min
utes after sunset and thirty minutes
preceding sunrise. Violation of provi-
sions of the measure is made a mis-
demeanor.
Running Ahead of Time
The house is four or five days
ahead of any previous session in work
accomplished, according to a state
ment to house members by Speaker
A. NJ. Keene. The speaker declared
that the house is breaking all former
records in the handling of bills and
progress in cleaning up the calendar.