The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-11
Proposition To Support COnsti-
tutiOnal Changes Now.
Amendments Would Carry Gu
the Allen Program.
SUBMIT 6 MEASURES TO VOTE
Little Opposition to Plan for
Reforms in Kansas.
Farm Tenantry Project May Go
in Form of a Bill.

Two proposed constitutional amend
ments are to go before the Kansas
house of representatives this week and
will be pushed to early consideration.
One of the measures provides for the
tax reform urged by the state commits
sion and supported by Governor Allen
in his message to the legislature. A
second proposed amendment provides
for the submission of six instead of
three amendments by a single legis-
lative session. Based on the general
opinion of house members, the third
measure to be given favorable con-
sideration will doubtless be the pro-
posed amendment permitting the state
to engage in highway building.
Many of the members who fought
Governor Aliens proposed constitu-
tional convention plan are behind the
three measures which today seem most
likely to find their way thru the house
at this session. There is a general
demand for the highway project. The
tax amendment is also strong. Men
who opposed a constitutional conven-
tion and seek to block the issue two
years hence urge an amendment to
the present constitution enabling the
legislature to submit six constitutional
measures for consideration of the
voters at each election.
Der of amendments to be submitted
that the demand for a constitutional
convention will be blocked, in the
judgment of many legislators. Not
only will the plan forestall a consti-
tutional convention several years
hence, but in four years will enable
Governor Allen to carry out the pro-
posed constitutional changes which he
has urged. The governor, however,
sought to work out his entire program
in the con-con gathering.
Determination of administration
leaders to seek the establishment of
the farm tenantry plan thru legisla-
tive enactment has tended to clear the
legislative atmosphere. At least
three amendments to the constitution
were necessary to put the governor s
farm reform in operation in the man.
ner desired.
Farm Tenantry Bill.
If constitutional problems can be
overcome, the farm tenantry project
will be outlined in the form of a bill
and offered to the two houses this
week. The meaSure will then require
but a constitutional majority instead
of two-thirds vote of both houses tC
secure its adoption. The necessity Of
going before the, voters in a campaign
for the plan next year-or waiting the
action of constitutional convention
will be overcome. Thus the state
would be enabled to engage in its farm
reform project in a few months in.
stead of at the end of several years.
The concurrent resolution providing
for an amendment to the constitu-
tion enabling the submission of si2
amendments has already been intro
duced in the senate. A similar reso
luton will be offered in the house thi:
week. 1t is probable that the tax re
form resolution will be presented a
the same time. The resolution calling
n
to engage in internal improvements 81
far as highway building is concerned
has been on the calendar since thu
first days of the session. These thre,
measures, many house leaders believe
are to be selected from among the pro
posed constitutional changes and sub
mitted to the voters for ratification Of
rejection in November, 1920.