The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-04-25
Prospect for Meeting of Legis-
lature Looms Big Today.
May Be Needed to Act on Fed
eraI Road Aid.
MARKHAM URGES ACTION
Highway Head Defines Need of
New Kansas Law.
Gov. Allen Said To Be in Favor
of Early Meeting.

Prospects of a special session of the
house W. C. Markham, secretary of
the state highway commission, out
lined possible need of a special ses-
sion in a telegram from Washington.
State legislation in keeping with
prospective action by congress in
passage of new federal aid road act
sage.
Need New Highway Act.
Since the regular session adjourned
in March possibilities of a special ses-
sion of the state legislature have been
freely discussed in political circles.
A special session call by Governor
Allen was anticipated should congress
pass a congressional reapportionment
bill at the special session. Now Sec
retary Markham defines need of a
new state highway act if Kansas is
to receive federal aid under the Hard
ing administration.
President Harding is declared by
Markham to have defined his s~position
regarding federal aid laws. The presi-
dent, Markham asserts, will approve
government appropriations to states
only where states receiving aid pro-
vide by statute for maintenance of
roads built wholly or in part with
government funds. There is no law on
the statute books in Kansas providing
for state support of permanent hlgh-
ways and state officials today saw in
the Washington attitude a demand Tor
early state action.
While Markham's telegram did not
discuss detailed plans, it is believed
| in Topeka today that efforts will be
| made TO pass a federal aid bill IN
keeping with President Harding
idea. If this law is passed during the
| Y drIFt in
regular session next winter-it would
require a special session to put Kan
sas in position to Immediately partici-
pate under the act. A special session
| it is pointed out, would overcome
delay of a year in receiving this aid
Allen May Favor 1t.
| There is a rather general feeling
that Governor Allen will welcome al
opportunity to call the legislature il
Especial session. He has already estab
1Iished a record by calling two specia
sessions during one term. Now ther'
is a belief that the governor is anx
ious to put thru a number of hi
proposals which failed to receive ac
ton at the hands of the regular ses
sion. Unless they receive attention
in a special session. the governor
term will expire before a new legisla
ture convenes.
1t is known that the governor i
amendment. to put thru the produc
ton tax bill, a new inheritance tax Law
and possibly land tenantry legislation
It is also likely that he will urge an
other consolidation bill II a special ses
sion is called. While Governor Allel
has not publicly discussed a specia
session call, friends of the administra
ton feel that he will welcome a situa
ton which would justify the issuanc
of such a call
Would Help Labor Situation.
Another reason advanced today 70
a special session because of a ney
federal road law is the existing labo
and Industrial situation. A big roa'
building project would provide labo
for thousands of men and would over
come existing unemployment condi
tions. Friends of the road projec
were today friendly to a special session
in event there was an opportunity t
secure additional financial supper
| from the government in building ney
| highways.
| Governor Allen is in New York. /
is hardly likely that he will discuss tn
possibilities of a special session unit
he returns to Topeka and has oppor
tunity to confer with his advisers. L
any event a call would be deferre
until after action was taken by con
gress and a special session woul
: probably not be ordered until som
time next winter-probably in Janu
| n