The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-03-11

' Continuation fee and salary debate in
both houses.
state highway resolution special orders in
house at 2 O'Clock.
establishments state reserve bank special
order in senate at O'Clock tonight.
The legislator who expects a law to
vacate certain sections of the original
plat of his home town or to give
more patriotic or pronounceable name
to his neighbor, hasn't chance. All
local bills and general measures as
well are dead for the present legis1a-
tive session. They will be carried on
the calendar. But the revision COM
mittee wouldn't advance them to the
front under an order from the supreme
court.
These are the days when only i'm
portaHt business is to be transacted.
Anything short of general measure
of vital concern is receiving very little
attention. Practically all legislation
at least until head house stops con-
sideration of original bills-will be
handled under the head of special or
ders. These specials are arranged and
provided by the calendar committees.
They include the big administration
bills, proposed amendments to the
state constitution. the fee and salary
| measure and it is probable that the
appropriation bills will be pushed to
/ special order IN the mouse.
Working for Nothing Now.
| Spring weather is drawing the frost
out of the ground. The legislature is
working for nothing and paying its
own rent. Those fifty days ended last
week. The call of the moo-moo COW
| g the feathered chickens is becom-
| ing strong in the legislature. Every
one wants to go home. But the reso-
luton which would let the lawmakers
| elnSa a fiVa "
| approved.
| Unless action IS taken today con-
corning the adjournment resolution.
the legislature may spend at least a
portion of next week in Topeka. All
plans of the individual legislators are
based ON a Saturday night closing with
sine die adjournment the following
Wednesday. To accomplish this pur-
pose, tho. the house and senate must
show a wonderful burst of speed in
disposing of the really big bills which
demand consideration.
Heavy Calendars.
Heavy calendars faced both houses
to-day. Much time is yet to be spent
| on the fee and salary bills There is
LITTLE doubt but that these bills will go
tto1 conference In the aggregate an
increase equal to about Is per cent is
granted under terms of the bills.
Some employees receive 100 per cent
| increase, others SO, some 10 per cent,
others none
In addition to the state house salary
bihs-which seem certain to go to
| conference and may even be blocked
| for the session-the legislature must
! take care of the county officers, the
state officers and heads of depart
ments. Provision must also be made
for increases in salaries of heads of
big institutions under the direction of
the state board of administration
This bill has not been presented. An
effort of committee to save the state
a few dollars in salaries in some of
the institutions may cause Kansas to
look for e. new bunch of state institu-
| tional heads before the next legisla-
ture convenes.
Farm Tenantry Today.
Action is to be taken in the house
this afternoon finally disposinE of the
farm tenantry plan as urged by Gov
ernor Allen. The farm loan resolu-
2 O'Clock. Several weeks ago the
house killed the measure. At that
time twenty votes were needed to pass
the resolution. Today, tho. there is a
hope among administration friends
that many members have yielded and
will vote for the resolution in order
to aid in carrying out at least one of
the provisions of Governor Aliens
legislF We program.
| House members must also act this
for state highway building, as amend
ed by the senate. The house amend
ments gave the eastern counties an op-
portuntiy to build the roads for the
western counties. The senate removed
some of these provisions. There is1it-
tie chance that the house will concur
| in the senate amendments. The meas
ure will go to conference and in the
judgment of a number of members
may stay there.
Bank Bill Tonight.
The senate takes up the state re-
serve bank bill under a special order
| at 8 o'clock tonight. The bill which
provides for the opening of a state
bank which would become the deposit
tory of state funds, finally came from
the senate committee without recon-
mendations. This bill has met little
encouragement during its short life
A few friends have occasionally come
to town and said nice things in its be-
half. In the main, tho, the bill has
been kicked and cuffed until it is as
callous as a steyedor.
There is probably a very slim
chance for the passage of the reserve
bank bill thru either house. Friends
in the senate, however. will make, q
hard fight tonight with that everlast-
ing hope that the house may pass the
bill in the final hours of the session
if the senate can only be induced to
show its faith in the project.