The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-01-22
Ready For Consideration of Big
Administration Acts.
Both Houses Will Begin Grind
Again Monday.
LEGISLATIVE RECORD.

HOUSE RECORD.
Original bills introduced ...........145
Original bills passed ............u IL
senate bills passed house ......
Bills killed by committees - Il;
Bills killed on floor .............
Bills on calendar
| General orders ............ n
Third reading Observation-Disclosures.
| Bills in committees ...............iOe
| Kansas legislators dumped a47 pro-
posed new laws in the house and SEN
ate hoppers during the week, passed
TWO bills appropriating funds for them
selves and their employees, hog tied tho
road program in the house and
squared away for consideration of the
Dig administration measures. Both
houses meet Monday afternoon to be-
gin the third week of the 1921 grind.
Few Fresh Measures.
There is only a slight evidence of
the foolish and freak legislation that
once made Kansas a common Joke in
the nation. Apparently the new flock
| of lawmakers want to transact the
states business. adjourn and go home.
only occasionally is there an Indication
tnat some member wants to save the
world by legislative enactment or ex-
piore new fields of state endeavor thru
the passage of some forward looking
law. III a forecast were to be made
lon the house and senate after two
weeks of action in Topeka, il would
! be to the effect that it is a SAFE sane
and sober legislature.
State interest in legislative affairs
during the week centered in the fight
! on the administrations policy for state
aid Tor hard surface roads. Passage
OF the Lambertson resolution demand
ing suspension of any state aid project
for a period of two years. was a shock
to both the state administration and
good roads advocates in the state.
| State Road Aid Is Dead.
! So far state aid at this session
| is concerned 1t is seemingly as dead
| as a mackerel. The defiant attitude
, of the house farmers was also
warning to persons behind the big ap-
preparation projects. 1t is probable
that the legislature will be reasonable
and fair in consideration of needs of
state institutions. Put new ventures
for state institutions and departments
may receive little announcement
None of the really big administra-
ton bills have gone to the hopper. It
is probable that Governor Allen will
seek to secure Introduction of a num-
Der of his measures as committee
blfs. This plan would put the meas
ures on the calendar for consideration
imm mediately following Introduction.
They would then be subject to special
orders and decks cleared for full con-
sideration on the floor instead of
I
rooms.
Oil Bill Comes Next Week.
Governor Aliens bill for reorsanf-
zation of the oil inspection depart
ment has been whipped into shape
and will doubtless be introduced some
time next week. The big institutional
budgets are also ready for Legislative
consideration.
Just when Governor Allen Will 20
before the legislature with another
special message is not known. He
will doubtless send one or two spe-
at early dates.
Hold Up Tenantry Bills.
Both house and senate members are
withholding Introduction Of tenantry
and taxation bills pending some word
from the governor. In his regular
message, ne indicated ne would send
special messages on these subjects
The governors message on the in
dustrial court divorce bill may go 10
the mouse and senate ahead of other
expressions, tho. 1t is reported that a
bill elnbodying the governors idea Of
proposed changes in the law is being
whipped into shape. This bill will
doubtless provide one~of the liveiiest
indoor rows staged in Topeka in
good many months. Strength behind
the governors proposal is at this time
a bit uncertain. Friends of the bill
have said little. Or the other hand
there is a little army of lawmakers
waiting for the bill with a meat ak.
Surprised Over Piper BIZ.
Kansas almost gasped this week
when the house judiciary committee
recommended passage of the Piper bill
for capital punishment in certain Of
fenses. No one really thought a legis-
iauve committee would dare attempt
such a thing. Opposition to capital
punishment in extreme cases was held
TO exist everywhere and was a sacred
OK in the class with the puritan pri-
mary. Now a legislative committee
has actually shown the courage to rec
ommend such bill in an effort to q
discourage the crime wave.
The capital punishment bill will
doubtless get out on the floor of the
house some time next week. Debate
on the bill will be a first class index
as to any siobber tendencies which
house members may have during the
present session.
Senate members dumped 40 bills
in the mill this week The upper
house will get under way next week
and begin the passa ge of laws. Eleven
original bills have already been passed
by the house and are ready for senate
decision before going to the governor
for his signature