The Topeka state journal., 1921-02-04
Committee of Whole Passes In
dustrial Relations Bill.
Administration Accepted Two
Vital Changes in Act.
NUT RIPPLE OF PROTEST
McDermOtt and Harley DOped
for House COnferees.
Senate Expected to Accept the
Changes in Measure.

Governor Aliens industrial court
divorce bill slipped thru the house
committee of the whole this morning
like smooth penny thru a slot ma
chine. Unfolding by Frank L. Martin
or his plan to restore at least degree
of public utility home rule was the
feature of today's debate. Uncer-
tainty as to the plan of men behind
the scenes was aroused, tho. when the
administration graciously accepted
two vital changes which Martin urged
to the divorce measure.
No Protest Registered.
There wasn't a ripple of protest
when the divorce bill went thru the
committee with a recommendation for
passage. 1t carried an amendment by
Martin to require the same qualifica-
tions for industrial court judges as are
prescribed by law for supreme court
justices. Still another gave the in
dustrial court power and authority
over the public utilities commission
There wasn't a ripple of protest from
the administration orators. The vital
changes were accepted with the
warmth accorded anti-cigaret resolu-
tions at a meeting of the ladies' aid
society.
None of the amendments accepted
in the house today are in the senate
bill which passed Thursday afternoon.
The bill must of necessity go to con-
ference. Whether the administration
accepted the Martin amendments
with a view of eliminating them in
conference and saving further fight
on the floor. aroused imm ediate spec
ulation in the house. If the gov
ernor's friends have really been won
over by the Martin plan it will be
necessary for the senate to accept the
house amendments.
Senate May Accept Changes.
However. if acceptance of the
amendments was in the interest of ex-
pediency then the house must back
up on its practically unanimous action.
McDermott and Harley. both strong
administration men, are doped for
house conferees. If the Allen forces
are willing to accept the amendments
in the new law, there is little question
but that the senate will promptly meet
the changes. On the other hand sus-
picious ones in the house are specuIat-
ing on chances for a conference re-
port recommending that the house re-
cede.
There was no record vote on rec
ommendation of the divorce bill. When
McDermott moved that the bill be re-
ported for passage. the vote was so
nearly unanimous that no division was
asked.
Only One Commissioner.
BY a vote of SO to As the house in
committee of the whole late this after
noon amended the administration bill
recreating the public utilities commits
sion so as to provide for one commits
sioner rather than three. The amend
ment was proposed by Martin of Reno.
Immediately following this amend
ment Martin introduced his amend
ment, which would give home rule
for all utilities entirely within the
boundaries of cities.
Appointment of a single public util-
tiles commissioner was sought by the
Reno county lawyer. His amendment
made the commissioner appointive by
the governor on confirmation of the
senate. The term was limited to one
year. a salary of $4,000 a year was
provided.
Not Willing to Accept Amendment,
Neither McDermott nor Harley were
willing to accept the amendment to
the utilities commission bill. McDer-
mott said he was willing to go part
way with Martin in placing certain
powers in the cities. but he urged a
three commissioner body.
Harley could see no merit in Mar
tins proposal. He drove home the
Gear of federal court interference with
home rule plans. He pointed to the
troubles with the Kansas Natural and
asserted that if large portion of util-
ity regulation authority was placed
porations would reincorporate in other
states, while foreign corporations
would seek relief in the federal courts
Kansas Towns Lack Funds.
THE Kansas towns have not the
money to fight the big corporations
with their almost unlimited resources
and organization" he said. Besides
the local sentiment would always ap-
peal for lower rates. 1 believe a fairer
and better adjustment of these differ
ences would be thru a state body"
Both McDermott and Harley urged
that one commissioner would be un.
able to handle the work. Martin tho
was insistent. He asserted that if the
rights of Kansas towns were returned
TO them that the lone commissioner
would have ample time. When the
house recessed for lunch the fight or
Martins amendment was still under
way.