The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-02-26
LEGIsLATIyE REcnRn.


tees are dead. 1t is perhaps the great
est seven weeks slaughter record ever
made by a Kansas legislature. OF the
1881 bills introduced, Ills have
found their way from the committees.
But today $50 of the number have met
death along some avenue of attack
inp the house or senate.
s5 106 New Laws Ready.
When the session opened today
there were LOG new laws ready for
the governors signature or the session
iaws-ies5 one bill vetoed early in the
session by the state executive With
perhaps two weeks of active work
| ahead, prospects at this times are for
fewer laws than have been enacted
by any legislature in nearly a score
OF years. 1t is probable the total for
the session will not exceed 300. The
average is $50. In 1915 nearly 400
new laws were written.
Next week will see legislative ac-
ton on many of the more important
bills now pending. The compensation
| act is perhaps due for action in the
next few days. Both house and SEN
ate committees reported the bill rec
commended by Governor Aliens special
committee. Measures urged by the
labor lobby were killed. altho a mi
1 nority report was sent to the house
Much Interest I'm Commission.
! Action of the legislature as affect
ing the industrial welfare commission
/ is matter of much speculation The
house passed the bills consolidating
| the labor bureau and the welfare COM
mission with the industrial court.
lover in the senate, tho the solons were
waiting for the welfare bill with a
ten-inch board. When they finished
consideration of the measure. much of
the authority which now extends to the
commission to investigate conditions of
the poor woiking goil had been
i istricken from the law. If the house
welfare commission will be nice place
] to draw salary. But authority for
altitude flying will be removed.
Doubt Concerning Tax Bill.
! There is doubt as to the action of
the legislature in seeking to pass the
production tax bill at this session. Tn
lcertainty as to constitutional questions
makes serious consideration of the bill
doubtful, altho 1t originated in the
ihouse taxation committee. Efforts are
lstill being made, tho. to force another
submission of the amendment for
classification of property for taxation.
1.-THE production tax bill may be used as
TRADING stock in driving a bargain on
the proposed amendment.
Farmer-livestock interest will cen-
/ ter in legislative action affecting con-
solidation of the various farmer, stock
and fruit boards and departments.
| A bill with Lambertson trade marks
is now before the two houses. 1t
ought to furnish one of the finest
| feather pulling sessions of the winter.
/ There is all manner of argument for
the consolidation plan. And there are
also a half dozen political skeleton
] closets to be opened the day the bill
| comes up for debate Almost any gov
/ ernor would be glad to control the
consolidated farmer-livestock interests
tand the pill giving him power of ap-
pointm ent-<ven for recommended
tions of the boards surely due to
start a lot of argument
Busy Time for Revision Committee.
( Revision committees in both houses
will have busy time until the ses-
sion ends. Now that the committees
have been named and are actually on
i Continued on Page Four