The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-01-24
SlXTY-EIGHT new

registered almost 100 proof. 1t failed
to pass a new workmen's compensa-
ton act as urged by the governor
But such failure was due largely to
appeals of employees and employers.
who desired that the attention of the
session should not be distracted from
the industrial court bill.
1t was the passage of the Industrial
court act by overwhelming votes in
both houses that gave the administra-
ton cheer. and brought smiles to
Allen workers. Only a year before
the legislature had backed against a
wall wiSgled its fingers at the gov
ernor's office and toyed with his pro-
posals until administration faithfuls
suffered from nightmare long after
the horrible session finally ended.
Only Twelve Against 1t.
But. when the conference report on
the labor bill came before the two
houses on the final day of the session.
only twelve votes were against its
adoption No party lines were drawn
In the house five Democrats and three
Republicans opposed the report while
in the senate two Republicans and two
Democrats voted against the confer
ence agreement-which was in effect
vote against passage of the bill. The
labor court act was the dominant
and the one bill which attracted
nationwide attention.
Passage of bill increasing Salaries
OF supreme court and district Judges
was specifically urged by the gov
ernor in his message So also. were
the state free employment bureau and
antl-syndicalism-bot laws by virtue
of special session action. Changes in
the educational laws and provision for
increased salaries for school teachers
were specific proposals of the gov
ernor and laws covering these matters
passed the two houses.
Appropriations for the national
guards as well as a bonus for guards
men who went to Pittsburg coal fields
were urged by the governor The leg
islature gave $4,000 to the adjutant
generals office, but a request for
500 bonus for the men was rejected.
Soldier Bonus Rejected.
Both houses rejected proposals for
a s3.500.O0O bond issue for a bonus
for soldiers in the world war. The
plan was held to be in violation of
the state constitution and neither the
administration nor legislative leaders
clamored for an opportunity to Shout
der the big expense blame in view of
the approaching campaign.
Some fifty or sixty purely local bills
were enacted into law-most of them
emergencies facing the communities
affected. Some of the bills, tho, az
feet the upkeep of rural cemeteries,
the cutting OF weeds and the TRIM
ming of hedge fences.
Appropriations for the session
reached s325, 900 and may go to $780,
600. Included in the items are $50, 900
for the national guards, $4,000 for
the coal mine receivership. $4,000 for
the state free employment bureau and
$1,000 which the legislature finally
and grudgingly gave to the attorney
generals office.
House members INDUCED in the
usual final night horse play-threw
waste paper baskets. made burlesdue
speeches. sang and staged their own
little gridiron and at 1890 stopped
the clock. Occasionally the fun
stopped while the house considered
"a conference report But long before
midnight the house had wiped any
remaining original bills from the cal
endar and peppered the senate pro-
posals with bird shot except on such
rare occasions as the lower house
members were willing to listen to the
logic of serious minded members who
simply didn't dare go Nome without
his bill"
Governor Addresses House.
Shortly before midnight Governor
Allen left a conference in his office
and visited the house. He sat in the
rear of the hall several minutes before
he was discovered by house members.