The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-01-07
CALL IT A BOARD.
Make Labor Tribunal Court
Proof, Administration Plan.
Attempts to Put Brakes ON
Drastic But Illegal Provisions.

Administration leaders in the legis-
lature today sought to work out plans
to use the emergency brakes on the
law makers. Passage of the new la
Dor court bill las reached the assur-
ance stage, they believe. Their
troubles may be to limit proposed
drastic provisions to the point that
the state will not enact a law which
will fail in the final test in the courts.
Lawyers in the two houses are to
stage the big fight around provisions
of the bill creating court or
board of commission. The court plan
is losing favor rapidly. Legislators
who know of the sensitive provisions
of the constitution recall the sad,
dreary days of the old court of visi-
tation. So they will seek to curb
trend of the enactment by providing
for a board which would be clothed
with the administrative powers of the
state. Thus Kansas would face the
industrial problems thru a body which
would enforce police regulations and
would be on safe and sound ground
SO far as court test is concerned.
Fear a Runaway"
More trouble is anticipated thru an
over Jealous legislature than thru any
attempt on the part of the law max
erS to balk or to strike out the vital
provisions OF the labor bill. Governor
Aliens advisers in the legislature to-
the bill which would not only give the
measure teeth, but would overstep
constitutional limitations. Such a
course would insure defeat of the en-
actment in the courts following its
| final passage.
Dangers which surround too strin-
gent amendments have placed admin
iStration workers on the alert. One
close friend of Governor Allen today
asserted that in his Judgment the real
= l. ~ - -
floor thru authorized representatives
of the labor unions. He saw the
greatest danger thru presentation of
drastic amendments by members who
unthinkingly play the game of the or
ganized labor opposition. 1t is the
necessity of applying the brakes at
just the right moment which now con-
, fronts the administration. Otherwise
it may secure a bill which will fail
to stand the test when sent to the
courts.
Lawyers Safety Valve.
TT is the discussion on the floor
which will settle things" one promi-
nent legislator explained. The law
yers will generally agree on the ques-
tion as to whether we should have a
court or a board when the fight is out
before the whole legislature. And that
is the vital feature of the bill. We can
safeguard most amendments which are
too drastic to stand probable court
test. But once the legislature decides
that a board with administrative pow
ers and not a court with judicial pow
ers is to be created, then we are all
right"
| Broader powers may be given the
| board than any court, 1t is asserted.
Such a course could be taken in de-
filming the police powers of the state
and the enactments of the legislature
would be defined by the court as en-
forcement of police regulations. 1t is
to safeguard the appareSt dangers
thru too much zeal on the part of the
legislators that the administration is
now organizing its forces. In the
judgment of the governors friends in
the senate and house, there will be ne
difficulty in securing the necessary
votes for firal passage of the bill. In
fact roll call opposition to the bill will
doubtless be negligible.