The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-03-15
SPEAKS RIGHT UP
Rep. JoIliffe Tells Committee of
3-MilliOn-Dollar Trade.
Former Senator Says Mercer
Was Approached on Job.

Appearing before the senate agricul-
tural committee. Representative o.
Joiliffe OF Marion coutny-far
and millionaire oil magnate-said he
had been approached TO Join in the
deal to trade the $4,000. 900 a year pro-
duction tax bill and support the agri-
cultural consolidation bill Jolliffe
was opposed to both bills He re-
fused 10 be a party 10 a trade
While defeat Of the production tax
bill meant a saving of thousands OF
dollars TO Jolliffe, the Marion county
representative refused TO help pass
the merger bill in order TO secure ad-
ministration assurance that the tax
bill would be beaten The Marion
county member created near sensa-
ton in the agricultural committee
hearing when he said he had been
asked 10 enter the combine The
agreement 10 trade on the two bills
meant that the administration would
sacrifice the 100000 revenue pro-
ducing measure in order TO win the
consolidation
JoInffe's statement before the COM
uittee wasn't really q part of the pro-
gram Stories OF the trade had come
before the committee in a mild man
nered way Then J. C Mohler pro-
duced a newspaper story TO the effect
that the trade had been made
Il hope the committee won't take
that TOO seriously" said Representa-
that's doubtless the work OF one OF
Jake's newspaper friends"
Trade Story True--Jolliffe.
Then JolHffe suddenly appeared On
the scene.
Il want TO tell you that trade story
| is true" he declared Il know all
about il will tell you how many votes
were 10 be traded If you want 10 know
When they came TO me with the prop
osition I turned il down fiat / am
against this consolidation bill because
| II throws the agricultural and livestock
| interests into politics As for the oil
interests and their taxes they can look
| after themselves
Then before he left for his home
| after appearing before the committee,
Arthur Croker. former state senator
from the se-Marion-Morris county
district, gave an interview in which he
told OF another trade. Croker is one
OF the biggest and weaithiest cattle
men in the state. In an interview
opposing the consolidation plan
Croker declared J. H Mercer. state
| livestock sanitary commissioner was
| approached by one of Governor Allen 5
Il appointees with q suggestion Of pro-
motion IL he would change his posi-
ton and support the bill
Mercer Is Approached?
Since coming to Topeka I have
4
| appointees approached Joe Mercer and
| suggested he might be appointe
/ commissioner if he would support the
| BILL" said Croker. There isn't a
| bit Of question about the trading which
| the administration has done TO win
votes for this bill. The trades are
| subject 10 the most severe criticism
| because Of the fact that the bill tends
/ only 70 throw the livestock and agri-
| cultural interests OF the state into poll
| tics.
I cannot see how any fair minded
person who has read this bill can sup
port IL The measure is crudely
| drawn is filled with inconsistencies.
| and Will set the farmer interests of
| this state back many years if il should
| become q law"
| James NJ Plumb. OF Empor.a-
| former senator from the Lyon-Green-
wood district, also came to Topeka II
| opposition to the bill
No out-of-town supporters OF the
bill appeared before the committee
when II took up the proposed enact
! ment