The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-21
Flood of Proposed Laws Is
+ Now Looked For.
ALLEN MAY START HOT FIGHT
County Government Chang
May Cause a Hot Scrap.
New Members Are Expected To
Be Very Active.

Kansans who predicted short, quiet,
colorless session of the state legisla-
ture, may revise their books before
April. The legislature is coming to
Topeka with a purpose. Neither war
conditions, reconstruction, peace, gov
eminent control or the present guar
antee on wheat will alter plans of
number of members.
The crop of bills will probably fall
short of the record of two years ago.
But the range and scope of legisla-
ton will be the same. The legislature
as viewed at this time is showing no
tendency to deal gently with any con-
dition or situation-real or imaginary
which seems to need fixing. Many
of the members favor short ses-
sion. But that doesn't stop the intro
duction of bills by members who be-
lieve some condition or situation in
Kansas should be repaired by statute.
New Members to be Active.
After the war conditions were ex-
pected by many observers to lessen
the tension surrounding an average
gathering of Kansas law makers Just
at this time the after the war situa-
ton seems merely to afford new vision
for a number of members. AS re-
suit there may be a tendency to safe
guard the whole reconstruction policy
by new laws. Such a tendency would
let down the bars and give the legis-
lative lobby apoplexy. MarJ OF the
members have not as yet determined
the course they will pursue when they
come to Topeka. These members are
new to the game. Once these mem
bers are seized with the ambition to
write law, the demure and submissive
members and the lobby may hang up
its wraps and stay awhile.
Introduction of many important
measures is assured in letters from
members of the house and senate. 1t
Is probable that the interest in the
senate generally will center on legisla-
tive action regarding state and county
offices. If Governor Allen should at
tempt to establish his former program
for one man county government, it
might be necessary to call home some
extra troops to referee the fight.
A Constitution Convention Fight?
BY the same token that any mention
of a change in the county government
system would incite a riot, there are a
number of legislators who are wait
ing for a chance to swat the constitu-
tional convention PLAN They see the
same results in either procedure.
Abolition of the public utilities
commission or some measure clipping
it's wings and wild and reckless expen-
diture OF funds. is one measure certain
to find its way to the hopper. Almost
as many members have demanded the
repair or junking of the utilities COM
to a change in the present style of
county government.
=. State life insurance is one of the
measures which just now seems due
to come back to the state legislature
Changes in several existing insurance
regulations will also be asked.
One member is coming with a reso-
luton advising official Washington
thRt Kansas does not approve of gov
eminent ownership and control of
hi In
Several other members have bills ex-
tending powers of state regulation and
providing for almost everything except
fearing up the railroad and street car
tracks.
- Reserve Bank May Cause Fight.
Establishment of state reserve
bank is perhaps the most important
banking measure to be considered this
winter. A hard fight will be made for
establishment of the reserve institu-
ton. Another bill will provide that
the state banking department shall eX-
tend its authority to cover loan and
mortgage companies and may examine
books and records of these companies
Many changes will be suggested in
existing welfare and labor laws. Sew
eral strong labor representatives have
seats in the legislature this winter
Reports from members indicate a gen.
erous tinkering with both labor and
welfare laws, we'll as a few added
repairs on the present workmen's
compensation act
The negro population of the state
saw spooks this week in a report that
Jim Crow law was coming up for
consideration. No authoritative state
ment has as yet been made concern
ing such a bill. altho Senator o. w.
Sparks will try to fight thru his school
segregation bill at this session.
A bill providing that gas companies
shall be paid only on the basis of pres
sure furnished, will be offered. An
other bill will provide that interest
shall be returned to public utilities
patrons who are compelled to deposit
fund in lieu of service.
~ Automobile Lien Bill
Liens on automobiles would be given
garage men and repairers where
charges are not paid by car owners
1t is also quite probable that a law
viii be suggested providing that re-
pair shops deposit surety bonds for
the benefit of car owners who are not
given proper service. Such bond
would go to the relief of the car own
er where it was established that an
accident was due to neglect or care
lessness in making repairs
Bills providing for municipal ice
flants, for changes in the blue sky
laws and regulations concerning stock
selling, are coming up for considera
ton. The pure shoe bill is to. be re-
-Yived and pure seed bill will find its
way to Topeka.
1t is quite certain the legislature will
he asked to provide a production tax
on. oil output. Several other revenue
producing measures are likely to come
before the session in an effort to pro.
vide new revenue to meet increased
state expense An extension of pro-
visions of the corporation tax law is
one of the suggestions.
Several suggestions will be made
concerning the primary. If the 49,
lative courage should prove unusually
high. a real effort might be made tc
repeal the law. In any event, severa
repairs are probable.
All manner of patriotic bills are te
be Offered. There will be bills re-
garding the sale of German made