The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-03-21
THE 1921 LEGISLATURE.

Fewer than a half dozen laws of
general statewide concern and inter-
est were passed by the legislature
which adjourned sine die today.
The new general laws are in the main
promising of beneficial results. Kan
sas legislators, tho, answered the COM
mon demand for fewer laws and killed
a larger per cent of bills than any ses-
sion assembled in this state in many
years.
Interest among lawyers of the state
centered largely in passage Of the
declaratory judgment act. A similar
law has been passed in numerous
other states and provides that in GER
tain cases a trial Judge may define in
advance the probable findings if 1iti-
cation is brought in this state. The
law is provided to protect against un-
necessary court action where property
and equity rights are at stake and a
formal definition of rights is desired
in friendly court procedure.
In political circles the Hasty- Mann
act requiring voters to register party
affiliations ten days before a primary
was of greatest concern. Governor
Allen exercised his veto on the
new law. The loose operation of the
Kansas primary system has been ap-
parent for a number of years. Minor
ity party members have controlled
dominant party nominations. The law
would have kept a voter within his
own party, where he belongs, and
T.
stay.
Only small portion of the highway
program was adopted. Yet it affords
prospects for much relief from ex-
listing conditions.
The legislature provided that funds
from motor license fees shall be used
in the counties in which the fund orig
mates. It is not exactly in keeping
with state aid policies, altho the east
ern counties, with their heavy reve-
nues, will receive extensive benefits
under the new law, which also pro-
vides increased schedules of license
tax. Another road law which should
call for the singing of praise by all
Kansans provides for removal of all
sharp and hazardous turns in high
ways.
For the overseas men the soldier
bonus act was the most important bit
of legislation. The bill by Mrs.
Walker of Norton provides for sub
| mission to the voters of a bond issue
aggregating 100000. From this
issue every Kansan in world war serv-
| ica would raceiva a state Grant of e.
| for each day in actual service. A ma
jority of the persons voting on the
issue must give approval at the polls
before the bonus becomes effective.
Senator Culp's elevator bill prom
ises greatest relief to farmers and crop
growers. 1t will benefit the wheat
growers by placing scores of local ele-
vators in the public elevator class
Passage of the new law means that
the present public warehouse capacity
of 100000 bushels will be doubled
1t gives to all elevators under the law
| the right to issue warehouse receipts
and safeguards against local financial
trouble by virtue of the fact that the
warehouse receipts are accepted at all
reserve banks.
State school interests showed great
est concern in passage of the dormi-
| tory bill. A bond issue of 100000
had been asked for the first dormi-
tories to be built by the state In
| stead of the bonds, the legislature
voted a direct appropriation of $500.
600 for starting the new work
| The legislature made a record fol
it's caution, conservative action an6
desire to recognize changing financia
and industrial conditions. 1t was &
safe, sane session in which PRACTICAL,
the entire membership voted to dis
courage freak laws which in former
years have tended to place Kansas il
the foolish column.