The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-20
State Labor Department Would
Control Newspapers.
Ii an Article Causes DiscOn-
tent, Editor Goes to Jail.
TRUTH MAKES NO Difference
II Publication Tends To Dis
turb Then 1t Is Libel.
Other Measures Before the
Lower House Today.

Protection of labor and farmer or
ganizations against unkind remarks
by newspapers. public speakers and
individuals on foot was sought in the
house today in bill introduced by
Representative Shideler of Crawford
county. The measure provides a PEN
atty of $500 fine and three months in
jail for any person who publishes or
makes oral statements which in any
manner tend to injure the social rep
utation or financial standing of any
labor union. workmen's union or
farmers organization. The bill. Shid-
eler stated, was prepared by the state
labor department and introduced at
the request of its representatives.
All statements or publications
without reference as to their truth
or falsity-which in any manner dis
turbs any labor or farmers organi-
zat1on would be construed as slant er
or libel. In order to secure a convic-
ton under terms of the bill which the
, state department has fathered, it is
merely necessary to show that a pub
hshed statement Or oral remark seeks
or causes discomfort or dissatisfact ction
| In the organization affected. While
the bill has not beea given commit
tee consideration, it is probable that
its scope is sufficiently broad to pro-
tect not only the well managed and
I
| but would provide a shield for the
Nonpartisan league or the T. w w.
| These questions. however, will prob
| ably be discussed when the nea sure
| is considered by a legislative COM
mittee
| state Insurance, Too.
Another Shideler bill today provided
/ Tor the appointment of a commission
| OF three persons. appointed by the
governor, to investigate the operation
| OF state insurance in other states and
| TO make findings and recommenda-
! tions. The commission would report
| to the governor not later than Senteu-
ber l, 1920, and its report would be
ava BILE for consideration by the
| legislature two years hence An ap-
preparation of $4,000 is asked for
the work of the commission. This
elff' a fso. came from the state labor
| department.
Fees For Policemen.
Amos of Shawnee county, today IN
| troduced bill in the house providing
| that policemen on night beats shall
receive witness fees when called to
| testify in the day time Under the
present law policemen in all of the
larger cities are denied witness fees
| Ihe men work during the night and
sleep during the day. But where cases
are called in which they are Interested
they are required to spend portion of
!
| as witness. No fees are allowed
The Amos bill would remedy this con-
dition.
| Might Lose Her job.
Friends of Mss Lena Bresette. sec
retary of the state welfare commits
sion, are concerned about the passage
| of the Gilman bill providing for the
creation of board of labor and in
| dustry to disp1ace the present state
bureau of labor. 1t is reported that
PROVISIONS in the Gilman bill would
| make Miss Bresette ineligible for the.
JOB. She was appointed state factory
inspector by Governor Hodges in 1918.
was active in the Democrat campaign
or 1914 and when the new industrial
| welfare commission was created in
i9lo. was named as its secreta ry.
| MISS Bresette has thu personal ac-
quaintance and friendship of hundreds
of girls in factories. stores and shoDs
in this state. Recently she was en-
gagged in Liberty Loan campaign worl,
IN eastern states. Her rulings as sec
retary of the welfare commission,
however, have in number of in
stances aroused employers of the sta te
and it is asserted that passage of the
Gilman bill in its present form would
olsquahfy her for appointment as well
fare commissioner.
Moves Manager Ell
After the Noble bill to -epeaI the
city manager law had been referred
! TO the judiciary. the house today voted
hto send the bill to cities of the first
. class. The judiciary committee il
| headed by b. F. Hegler of Wichita
Friends of the Noble bill wanted the
: measure sent to a committee safe and
far removed from the influence OF
Wichita. which now operates under
the city manager plan.
Today Mrs G. A. Hatfield of Wich-
ita laid claim TO the Influence behind
the Noble bill Credit had formerly
| peen given TO Myra McHenry. 1T Ia
not Myra McHenry's bill" said note
winch Mrs Hatfield sent to the press
! table today, land she had nothing II
do with me in this matter of Ieeisia.
ton
The dispute may now be settled by
, the two women who came to Topeks