The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-28
ALL 8 MAY FAIL
Little Encouragement for State
Amendments.
Good Roads Vote Seems To Be
Nearest Goal.
ORGANIZED FIGHT LAUNCHED
Farmers Leagues Are Directed
Against Amendments.
Constitution Not Dominant Fac
tor in the Campaign.

Fights on the three proposed
amendments to the state constitution
will hold keen interest in business and
financial circles in Kansas next Tues
day and will be observed with partic-
uiar concern by numerous farmer or
CARNATIONS. Reports sent to Topeka
from all sections of the state have in
dicated the good roads amendment
will receive the largest vote, altho
there is little encouragement that any
of the measures will be approved.
Governor Allen, who went person.
ally before the state legislature in
1919 in support of the. proposed
amendments, has not made them a
positive issue in his speaking cam
paign At the time the legislature
submitted the farm tenantry, CLASH
fled property tax and permanent high
ways amendments. it appeared that
the question would be made dominant
issues in the 1920 campaign. Gov
ernor Allen elected, tho, to make the
Industrial court law the big question
in his fight for reelection.
Organized Fight.
Thru the Farmers Union, the
Grange, the Taxpayers League" and
similar organizations an organized
fight has been directed against all OF
the amendments. They have been
branded as move to increase taxes,
to create new boards and commissions
and give more fat political jobs. A
blanket fight has been directed against
the measures, the campaign being
conducted in both the towns and rural
districts.
Officers of the state highway COM
mission. as well as the automobile or
PLANTATIONS and good roads associa-
lions have given their principal at
tention to the proposed highways
amendment. 1t is charged that the
brick, cement and road material man
ufacturers have also been active be-
hind the scenes. By the same token
the highways amendment supporters
have told the farmers they were play
ing the game for the corporations.
In the last two weeks 100000 six
teen page pamphlets have been sent
to the Kansas voters from the state
house. At no time, tho, has the issue
regarding adoption of the measures
reached a point where it was doml-
nant or even prominent factor in the
campaign.
Big Good Roads Vote.
The highway amendment will SEEM
ingly secure a much heavier vote than
the other proposals. w. c. Markham
secretary of the state highway COM
mission, is certain the amendment VIII
be adopted He has been active in the
campaign for it's support.
On the other hand Samuel T. Howe,
chairman of the state tax commission
is in doubt as to the tax measure. lie
has also been active in the campaign.
The amendment was beaten by the
voters in 1914. 1t provides for classi-
ffcation of property by the legislature
such classification being for the pur-
pose of taxation.
The farm tenantry amendment is a
new issue in Kansas and has seemingly
fallen by the wayside without an or
ganized effort in its behalf. Governor
Allen, who insisted on its submission
by the legislature, has made no fight
for the measure beyond the circulation
of the 100000 pamphlets. The amend
ment provides that the state shall ere
ate a revolving fund from which
money may be loaned to farm tenants
and other persons desiring to owr
land. The money loaned by the state
would be for long terms-loans being
fixed by boards of appraisers who de
termine value Of the lands.