The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-19
TRY IT ON KANSAS
Missourians Want Municipality
Owned Street Cars Here.
Bill Providing for Them
Planned for Legislature.
BY A. L. sHULTZ.


Politics is to dabble with the street
railway systems in Kansas during the
coming legislature. The news feature
is not in the fact that politics and the
street railway systems are to be for
mally introduced. 1t is in the fact
that certain Missouri cities desiring to
escape an increase in fares have de-
cided to try another reform on Kan
sas. So the Kansas legislature is to
be asked 10 provide for municipal
ownership of street railways as hor-
rible example of what might happen
in Missouri.
The new plan is coming to the legis-
lature via Kansas City. Mo. 1t has st.
Louis, Mo-, backing and approval: An
attempt to force municipal ownership
of local transportation companies IN
Missouri would probably never get be-
yond the first session of a legislative
committee. But in Kansas there is
hope that in view of long and con-
sistent record of feverish reform, a
few street railway systems might be
wished onto innocent cities. Judging
the temper of Kansas legislators thru
a series of many sessions. the idea
which originated in Missouri is to be
brought to Kansas for full develop
ment and final demonstration.
Bill Would Have Chance.
Just now various Missouri cities are
fighting an increase in street railway
fares All manner of bluffing has
fail,d to keep down the fares or to
cause the state utilities commission to
deny increases. In Kansas efforts are
also being made to advance fares.
Wherefore the Missouri cities have
launched a plan which will call for
municipal ownership bill at the com
ing legislative session. Judging the
coming legislature by the record of the
past, there is something better than
or "a
pass.
Almost any member from Meade or
Graham or Trego county would vote
for the bill. The measure sounds like
reform and doesn't cost the rural dis
tricts anything. The town members
would be expected to support the bill
as stepping stone to greater fame.
So with this logic to start with. the
Missouri towns have encouraged
Kansas City, Kan. to fight for the
municipal ownership bill. At present
Wyandotte county legislative candi-
dates are being pledged to support the
measure. Later an effort will be made
to poll the candidates in the state at
large.
War May Have Bearing.
Only the war situation seems to dis
turb the promoters OF the new Kan
sas reform. Except for the abnormal
situation, it is quite probable that
bill could be damned thru the coming
session which would please both the
Missourians and the owners of street
railway systems which are not paying
operating expenses.
Coming at this time the plan to leg
fslate for further municipal ownership
may revive the efforts made in recent
sessions to provide for city and coun-
ty ownership of telephone plants. mu-
nicipally owned ice plants and last but
not least-state insurance. Except for
interference on the part of Missouri
cities. Kansas might have enjoyed a
pleasant legislative session next win
ter. War conditions might have kept
the legislative mind free from the
thoughts of reforms and isms which
have provided comedy for all persons
except those directly concerned. But
the early start for Missouri reform of
Kansas may bring a score Of former
pet measures to Topeka next January.