The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-25
SRO TO REPORTER
And the Standing Room Was
Outside the "Theater."
Republican Caucus Not Open
To the Public Eye.
LINE UP BEHIND GOVERNOR
Members of Senate Asked To
Aid Allen Program?
A Few of the Senators Didn't
Get Invitations.
LINE UP BEHIND GOVERNOR
BY CLUG.


What appears to have been an at
tempt to Zine up members of the
Kansas senate behind some kind of
an Allen program was held behind
closed doors in the governors office
late Monday afternoon. Practically
all of the Republican member were
in attendance. but Senators Price,
Paulen, Anspaugh and Satterthwaite
We're not and stated they were not
asked. Z,
A reporter for The State Journal
heard of the meeting. or caucus, and
asked Lieutenant Governor Huffman
if it was going to be private meet
ing, p,o,, ,otn.n..- a4.,..u about
any meeting" Huffman said, but if
there is one and L have anything to
say about it. newspaper men will be
welcome
The reporter had heard that the
meeting was to be held in the office
of Walter E. Wilson. state bank COM
missioner and went to him for infor
nation.
There is going to be no caucus to-
day." Wilson said. There was some
talk of one, but it is not going to be
held today
The reporter asked Wilson to let
him know if there should be a meet
ing and was assured this would be
done. In less than ten minutes after
this assurance was given Wilson led
delegation of senators from his Of
flee, where they had been told to meet,
to the governors office.
AT the door to the outer office of
the governor the reporter stopped Will
son and told him that if it was an
open caucus he would like to attend
Wilson said it was just a delegation
calling on the governor and the re-
porter went in and sat down. Almost
Immediately the governor got up and
went out and a few minutes later his
proVate secretary, Billy Souders,
called the reporter from the room.
The governor and Wilson were talking
and the governor went over to the re-
porter and said:
Private, Says Allen.
This is going to be a private meet
ing. We are going to discuss some
matters very frankly and feel this can
better be done without the presence
of newspaper men,"
The reporter thanked him and went
back to the empty senate chamber
where Governor Huffman had to give
the senate an at ease recess until the
caucus was over because there were
not enough Democrats and outsiders
present to make it possible to take up
the consideration of bills. .s,.,,-
senators who attended the caucus
in the governors office stated that
nothing was done and that another
meeting will be held, probably We'd
HGSudys 70 make IuTIAGF G1IOTlS 10 gel
behind some kind of a program that
will enable Governor Allen to at least
get some of his proposed legislation
before the senate as a body. So far
not a single Allen measure has come
up for consideration in the senate.
At the Monday afternoon caucus it
is said the talk was confined to a
brief discussion of the land tenantry
and the constitutional convention ques-
lions. One senator. who was present
intimated that indirect effort was
made to make these party issues and
thus to line up the Republicans be-
hind the Allen measures.
Apologies to Senators.
After the meeting it was explained
that apologies had been offered tC
the senators who were not invited
Senators Milligan and McClain also
did not attend. Senator Milligan SAID
he was invited but was busy in q
committee meeting. Senator McClair
at first said he was ont invited, bu
later remembered that Senator Montet
had told him there was to be meet
ing but did not tell him it was to bt
in the governors office.
OF the senators who did not attend
it is known that Satterthwaite is abso
lutely opposed to a constitutional con
and Anspaugh also are. but they have
not openly expressed themselves. Nc
Claim is absolutely opposed to an opeI
not entirely in accord with all Gov.