The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-01-20
HOUSE IS PEEvISH
Bill to Increase Judicial Pay
Fails 81 to 50.
Insurance Measure Also Denied
Constitutional Majority.
P0LLY-WOG METHODS, CHARGE
Showalter in Accusation During
Row Over Speeches.
Little Chance Seen for Court
Bill Report Today.

House members were in an unpleas-
ant frame of mind today when prac-
tically the entire morning was spent
in a deadlock over the bill to increase
judicial salaries. The bill failed 81 to
SO with prospects for reconsidera-
ton Wednesday. Immediately after
this action the house failed TO give
constitutional majority to the insur-
ance bill giving life companies the
right to issue health provisions in con-
nection with life policies
While there is a chance that both
bills may be revived, the house is
seemingly disgruntled and a fight to
clean the calendar may break out at
any time. Nor was the pleasure of
reported that no meetings had been
held by industrial court conference
committees. 1t is apparent that con-
ference report is improbable today.
For the first time during the special
session the representatives ordered a
call of the house. 1t was repeated nu
merous times during the roll call on
the bill to increase judicial salaries
The bill as amended provided for a
$6, 900 salary for supreme court judges
and s4.500 for district judges 1t was
the district judge salary that dis
turbed house members. A reconsider
alton may be sought in an effort to
give supreme court judges an increase
and to lower the district judges to
$4,000 a year.
Didn't Promote Harmony.
The fight during the call of the
house did not tend to promote har-
mony. Several members sought to
make speeches, but were denied under
the rules. Then they made speeches
in explaining changes of their votes.
This course led to a charge by Sho-
walter of Thomas that "polly-wog
49, l. - + L
proceedings.
The final vote on the judicial salary
bill was 81 ayes and So nays-the con-
stitutional majority lacking.
Eight votes were needed to secure
final passage of the amended insur-
ance bill. The measure repealed an
ancient. obsolete law regarding writ
ing health and special benefit
clauses in connection with life poll
cies. Under the new bill such policies
were legalized. A total of SIS votes
were cast in the affirmative with 81
in the negative. A reconsideration
and final passage of the bill may be
sought in Wednesdays sessions.
Browns Day at Home.
In the call of the house today de-
mand was made for the appearance
of Representative Brown of Douglas
county It developed that Brown is
dividing his time fifty-fifty between
personal business and legislation.
Does anyone know where Brown
may be found?" asked Speaker Lam
bertson.
Mr. Brown told me yesterday"
volunteered Foster of Ness. that he
is attending the session every other
day"
This is Browns day at home and
he didn't appear to vote.
A number of house members ex-
70 Iaap their hnrneS WadnRC- -
day night whether adjournment comes
at that time or not Expressions of
many house members today were to
the effect that adjournment would
come as soon as the labor court con-
ference report is adopted. A report
from the present conference commit
tee is expected Wednesday morning.
Should it be adopted consideration of
bills mi~Ilt cease Wednesday night or
Thursday.
Lever on Senate.
Before the house yields on the
Simpson amendment in the Industrial
court bill ii may demand that the SEN
ate pass either the i-profiteering
bill or the Burdick packing house and
stockyards bill. Farmer members of
the lower legislative body talked over
provisions of the new court bill in the
hotel lobbies Monday night and de-
clared they would stand by the Simp-
tory compromise was offered by the
senate.
Should the senate reject the pack
ing house-stockyards bill and refuse
consideration of the anti-profiteering
measure. the house may retaliate by
standing pat on the Simpson amend
ment Administration workers in the
legislature sought to have the Simp-
son amendment Withdrawn from the
bill by promising to cover the subject
matter in a second bill. But the house
state affairs committee held the anti
profiteering bill until today and then
dumped it on the floor without recon-
rnendations- The senate anti-profit-
eering measure still rests with the
senate Judiciary committee And be-
cause of these tflinrs the house farm
ers await first conference returns on
the labor court bin.