The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-01-14
ANTI-HOC BILL UP
Attorney General Hopkins Be-
fore House Committee.
Defines Meaning of His Anti
PrOfiteeriDg Measure.

J 1t is up to Richard J. Hopkins, at
/ torney general, to define to the house
state affairs committee just what prof
! iteering really means in a very legal
sense Otherwise he may be waiting
for favorable report on his pet bill
long after the special session adjourns
The house committee took up the anti
profiteering bill this morning with
Hopkins on the rug. Tonight the re-
tailers, wholesalers, manufacturers
and others interested in the measure
will appear.
Members of the house committee
have not broken speed records in plac-
ing an o. X. on the Hopkins bill which
is advertised to curb living costs and
clip the bristles from the profit hogs.
Several members of L. L. Barriers
committee have had practical mercan-
tile experience and they are looking
at provisions of the anti profit grab
bling bill with a strong glass. Today
some very direct questions may be
asked.
Hopkins Needs Funds.
Not only IS Hopkins today most
keenly interested III the committee ac-
ton on his bill. but any course which
the house committee takes will have a
direct bearing on his request for more
funds. Only recently it was learned
that there was a balance of Al cents
in Hopkins contingent fund and that
eraI expenses from a $4,000 appro
priation for bridge trust Investigations.
The attorney general is asking the
legislature for . big slice of additional
funds. 1t is reported that his request
! may be for $4,000 in event he is given
enforcement of an anti profiteering
bill.
Before the Hopkins measure is sent
to the house for passage. tho, he will
be called upon to define just the man
ner in which court will determine
profiteering. He may be asked as to
the extent to which the state might
go in inquiring into the business af-
fairs of a corner grocery store and the
number of inquiries that might be
made in a given time. He will also be
asked as to the percentage basis of
profits which would be just under the
law and which would be excessive.
And last he will be asked if the basic
profit which would enable, one firm
to do business might not be excessive
for another firm and bankrupt a
third.
But the real joy won't be entirely
in the hearts of the mercantile inter-
ests. Tonight some OF the visitors
may be asked to explain the operation
of certain retailers in Kansas in boost
ing prices. In the last several months
the attorney general has sent Ques-
tionnaires to undertakes, cement
makers, grocers, dry goods merchants
and produce men as We'll as to Few
miscellaneous business interests. May
| be the returns will prove of value to
the state and come into use during
hearings on the -profiteering bill.
House Takes the Money.
| After much reluctance and follow
ing d conference of house and senate
| committees, the house has backed
down and will not stand out for pure
100 proof reform during the special
session. The house agreed to accept
| S35 for postage and an equal amount
for telephone and telegraph for each
member during the special meeting.
In an original appropriation bill the
| house measure had been for $25 for
postage and a similar sum for te1e-
graph and telephone. But the senate
refused to bulge and the house con-
I ferees accepted the money which had
| been rejected with disdain and wig
| gle of the fingers at the senate.