The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-01-25
LEGISLATIVE RECORD.

Kansas legislators have almost
passed the danger stage Another
week OF the present showing and the
1919 session will be on its way to a
new record-that of cutting down the
blennfal crop of new laws. MANY OF
the big bills to come before the house
and senate are already in the hopper.
The second week of the session is
ended with a record of 367 bills rs
against 5o2 In 1917 and an avalanche
Of 730 in 1915.
The legislature is moving slowly.
but probably more safely than any
law making body which has come TO
Iopeka in dozen years. There are
lew bills on the calendar for consid-
Grafton OF the 256 measures now
before the committees, a high per-
centage of the total will never survive
the operating table. Both houses will
probably pass some laws next week
AS yet the house and senate have
merely acted on rather select and
limited number of their own original
bills.
Governor Aliens measures have
not been considered on the floor.
His farm tenantry resolution has not
reached the legislature. His proposal
for constitutional convention and
for an amendment permitting the
way building. are due for considera-
ton early in February. 1t is the pur-
pose of friends of the administration
TO slide the Allen program to the front
OF the calendar early next month and
to declare a field day for consideration
of the big policies before the present
session.
Hear Allen Next Week.
Sometime next week, provided the
senate makes good its plan to invite
j the governor to discuss his farm ten
antry policy. Governor Allen may go
before joint session of the house and
senate. The governor has signified
his intention to accept the offer OF
either branch of the Legislature for u
discussion of his policies. There is
very slight probability that the house
| viii permit tie senate TO call the gov
ernor for a talk without demanding
hat he speak before the members OF
both houses
Practically the entire organization
of the legislature is now out of the
way and many OF the committees have
spt mt the week in earnest work. In
the senate the members have been
forced to recess often that the glow,
bungiesome house might keep pace.
The last of the house committees Will
he announced Monday.
Plans of the house members 20
| originate ali of their appropriation
| proceedings later in the session. Two
years ago the legislature was COM
PEELED to wait while the committees
| fused and scolded about appropria-
| ton matters. -Four years ago the
house and senate seversd diplomatic
relations and legislatio was tied Up
while conference committees sought
to win adva ntage In com promise sug-
gestions- All of the trouble OF former
sessions may come back in the present
situation confronting the legislature.
Danger Stage Is Passed.
Laying saside the uncertainty Of
agreement on appropria ton bills. the
legislature is in excellent condition 10
wind UP business. balance books and
go home at such time as the members
may decree The real danger stare
from a food of bills during the carly
days of the session. is practically
passed. Next week ought to settle the
fate of the session. II the house and
senate can maintain their present
showing for limited Introduction Of
bills. the two bodies may be ready TO
go home in the early days OF March.
II is probable that the Moutee-B Bar
rier bills extending inquisitional pow
ers TO the attorney general In trust in
yestigations. will reach consideration
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