The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-01-19
Low Pressure Political Area
Settles in Topeka Today.
Squalls Over Opposing Hard
Surface Road Forces.
APPLAUSE FROM THE GALL LERIES
Test of Strength Exhibited by
Allen-LambertsOn Bodies.
Senate and Farmers Union
FlOcks to Hear Big Debate.


That low pressure area which has
been drifting out to Kansas. seems to
have settled over the house of repre-
sentatives and all manner of squalls
and changing weather conditions are
being encountered today. A battle
royal which started over the Lam
bertson DAD resolution this morning,
was going strong when the house
stopped for food and water at 1880
and promised to block other proceed
ings for the remainderaof the day.
In bitter test of strength between
the farmer organization and the ad-
ministration and hard surface road
forces a free and unrestrained flow of
oratory was opened. The senate quit
business and came over to listen. The
Farmer Union neglected its formal
program and flocked to the lobbies
and galleries to applaud the forces.
Lawyers Lined Up.
Storm troops of the administration
were rushed to the front early in the
battle. They held the line in solid at
tack during most of the morning
fighting. 1t was by all odds the best
and liveliest legislative row of the
winter. The lawyer members were
cooked and primed for debate and
AilOol u lutIl were Iln6u up III OppO-
sition to the Lambertson plan to side
track state aid at this session.
Late in the morning session the
farmer mem bers began to unlimber.
They gained recognition from the
speaker and began to speak from their
souls And the galleries of farmers
which had waited patiently for this
counter attack. cheered loudly. 1t WAS
the most demonstrative session of the
legislature since the fight on the in
dustrial court bill a year ago.
Tom Harley of Douglas took charge
of the administration storm troops. He
led off in the fighting and was sup
Pcrted by several other house lawyers.
McDermott, Republican leader did
not speak to the resolution during the
morning session.
Harley's Plea.
Harley appealed to the house mem-
bers not TO turn down Governor Al
Ie:ls program without a full hearing
DO you want to say to the governor
of this state that we don't care
tinker's dam what your program is?"
Harley appealed. DO you want to
say that you don't want to consider it ?
Do you want to say that the defendant
is guilty without a hearing? Is that
the Kansas spirit, is that the big, fair,
decent way?
Il won't say you are violating your
oaths. That is too strong. But this
action isn't fair and it isn't honorable
and it isn't right"
Speaker Harvey for the first time
during the session left the stand to
speak. Elected as an anti-adminis-
tration candidate, he supported the
governor on his good roads fight He
urged defeat of the Lambertson reso
luton and a fair hearing of the road
measures to be brought before the ses-
sion.
srbe, raroa EpdraS of an x-auuortb
Hasty of Sedgwick and Griffith of
Bourbon-all lawyers Cloud of King
man said he was not favorable to the
resolution but under the vote of his
county on the road amendment sup
ported 1t.
Not until late in the game did the
farmer members get into action.
Greenleaf of Kiowa won the first
round of applause from the Farmers
Union when he started an attack on
the road amendment generally and
spoke for the resolution. Lambert
son, author of the resolution, had
opened the days debate in a motion
for it's adoption and short speech.
Scott of Rocks and Ireland of
Woodson lined up under the Lambert
son banner. Both argued for adop-
ton of the resolution.
Invited the Farmers.
During the morning session Repre-
by the Farmers Union opposing state
aid for hard surface roads at this ses-
sion. The petition did not mention
the Lambertson resolution. but sup
ported its principles. Without taking
action on the petition the house voted
to invite the farmers to visit the legis-
lature in a body and extended them
privileges of the galleries and lobbies
during their stay in Topeka.
Today's big fight really started late
Tuesday afternoon. The Lambertson
resolution was under consideration
when the house adjourned. Many
members had just read a dispatch in
The State Journal regarding McDer-
motifs speech in Winfield. Lambert
son was clearly aroused by statements
credited to McDermott CHASING the
farmer members as Townley tools.
How 1t Started.
As soon as adjournment was taken
Lambertson rushed to McDermott's
desk. He brandished a copy of The
State Journal in the administra ton
leaders face and his fingers pointed
U'ontInned on Page TSSOD