The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-03-21
LEGISLATIVE RECORD.

Gov ernor Aliens official action on
80 statutory provisions now on his
desk will close the records for the 1919
legislative session. A total of 322 bills
not including joint and concurrent
resolutions-passed the two houses.
OF these measures for the new session
laws, but two Vetoes have thus far
been exercised
Not until Saturday noon VIII the
record of the session be complete. IL
the governor fails to make further
vetoes, total OF 320 new laws will
be published in the book of enact
ments which will come from the state
printing plant late I'm April or early
in May. The new laws will be ready
Tor the lawyers not later than May
Is. The house and senate journals.
however, will not be printed before
midsummer.
The record of the session which ad-
journs sine die Saturday noon shows
the smallest number of laws enacted
by any session of the legislature in
more than ten years. 1t also shows
the fewest number of laws of general
or state wide importance Many
measures which were of much general
concern when introduced, were amend
ed to such an extent that their effect
is of minor interest.
Tax Rebate Repeal Drastic.
Possibly the most important law OF
the session was the repeal of the tax
rebate act. This measure places all
tax payers on an equality. provides "a
nalty for failure to pay taxes prompt
ly and removes the rebate system
which formerly applied when all taxes
were met in the December payment
Under this provision the big corpora
tions OF the state saved thousands or
dollars in rebates. By the change in
fnfaf fNa
generally distributed among corpora
tions and individuals which formerly
took advantage OF the rebate law
One of the acts which attracted
much interest was the Barrier-Montee
bill giving to the attorney general in
ouisitionaI powers in trust investiga
tions The law was aimed at the brick
and paving companies and the pack
ers but applies alike to all organiza-
tions entering into trade and price fix
ing agreements.
The new inheritance tax law was
. written to bring new revenues into the
trea sury the expense of the be
reaved- AS amended. tho. the law ex-
empts Glass A. or direct heirs. VII" re-
ceive less than $4,000 in bequcsts.
No Important Labor Laws.
No labor legislation of general in
terest was passed at this session.
Neither did the lawmakers devote
much time to the long list of welfare
measures Health regulations were
fairly well cared for in general appro-
priations But the social disease bill
was crippled in the house and slain
outright in the senate. The paternity
bill was far too visionary for the wise
lawyer members and they played safe
, by keeping the drastic bill In the COM
/ mittee rooms thruout the session
Just one original administra ton
measure went thru the legislature.
, The house and senate checked the
farm tenantry proposal to the voters
for final guess in the 1920 election
The governors bill TO permit the state
( to take over the real estate business
was killed In the senate. The Gorharn
{ bill for a state publicity department.
died without 50 much as first aid
! treatment. House members were re-
sponsible for staying amendments 70
the anti-discrimination law. The leg
stature also refused To provide a spe-
Confined on Page Two.D