The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-01-03
SESSIONS SCOPE,
HOWEVER, CROWS
MORE UNCERTAIN
Many Members Favor Restrict
ing Work to Allen Plan.
Little Strong Sentiment Tho,
to StrangIe Important Bills.
SEE A MIGHTY LABOR LOBBY
Employers Also To Be Strongly
Trenched in Third House.
Governor to Complete Message
Late Today or Sunday.
SEE A MIGHTY LABOR LOBBY

Kansas today set the stage for
season of law and politics-laws to
be enacted in the special session of
the legislature and politics developing
from rapidly changing issues and
characters. Opening of the special
session in Topeka Monday today
brought to Topeka the characters in
the new lawmaking drama and gave
to hotel lobbyites the seasons first
opportunity to speculate. on candi-
dates and problems before the state
and nation in the coming campaign.
William Allen Whites sudden
punging of Governor Allen into the
presidential race started frenzied
speculation as to gubernatorial possi-
bilities and delegates to the national
convention. First news that Allen had
promptly waved aside all claim to
presidential preferment changed the
course of political bookmaking, but
didn't stop the playing of the game.
Early arrivals for the special legisla-
tive session saw only delay in the
program to push Aliens candidacy in
the announcement from the state
house. They forecast that the gov
errors friends would renew the boom
at the close of the session and passage
OF the labor court bill. That. in the
face of Aliens flat statement.
May Affect Support.
Governor Aliens statement denying
presidential ambitions, tho, may with
draw from the state administration
some of the psychological control of
the two houses which would follow
on the trail of a well defined presi-
Dental boom. Observers this after
noon pointed out that the house and
senate would have been more respon-
sive to Aliens wishes should they aid
in any manner in advancing his hopes
for the White House.
The governors statement today
tended TO emuddle conditions in the
Judgment of legislative members. And
this fact may mean the injection of
an unusual amount of politics into the
session. Leaders who desire to direct
the session with a view of promoting
the Allen cause IL he should aspire to
Washington life, are now left to work
out their own salvation in the dark.
on the one hand they have the frank
earnest declaration of William Allen
White. one of the governors closest
friends. Whites statement was a new
er-say-die Allen for president boom.
And Allen left no loopholes in saying
his ambition was merely to succeed
himself.
Plans Have Right of Way.
Under the special call, the COVER
nor's immediate program holds the
right of way. Yet there is no pro-
vision in the constitution which per-
mits anyone to restrict the scope of
the legislature in regular or special
session.
Many members are here with bills
These bills might have been side
tracked if 1t would add to the Allen
ton next June. But with Allen a can
didate to succeed himself.-wel,
things are just naturally different.
Several members want a rule which
will permit each house and senate
member to introduce one bill. Such
a rule would multiply the governors
program to about thirty times the
scope planned.
Governor Aliens proposed industrial
court act is the big top line measure
before the special session. Next will
come the workmen's compensa ton
act, creation of a state labor bureau
and a half dozen minor measures.
Real interest, tho. will center in the
labor court act which has attracted
nationwide concern. Scores of pro-
poT~d amendments have been pre-
pared and the bill is certain to be un-
der fiVe by constitutional lawyers, as
well as lobby interests for both or
Eanized labor and employers. The
labor lobby will probably be the
strongest ever assembled for a Kansas
legislature.
Two to Four Weeks.
Length OF the special session is
generally estimated at two to four
weeks. Adjournment Is uncertain at
this time in view of the lack of knowl-
edge as to the probable length of time
which will be required in considera-
ton OF the various bills and action of
the two houses in letting down the
br~s for introduction of measures.
Many members desire to introduce
bills of general or local character
An effort to revive some of the lost
bills OF the 1919 session may be made
in Wow OF the fact that some Of Gov
ern~r Aliens own sDecial session pro-
gram v-Hs given consideration a wear
l,outinned on PAGE T,rn 1 -