Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1922-09-14
LOOK TO LAWS
AS STATE CAM
PAICNS START
New Legislation Is Be.
ginning to Attract
Attention
i;y a. L. Shuitz

Topeka, Sept. 13.-The 1923 law
makers will probably keep pretty
well within the safety zones In try
ing new legislation. Information
which has come to Topeka since the
primaries indicate majority of the
house nominees are bit skiddish
regarding deep water tests at this
time. Industrial troubles, market
disturbances and generally unsettled
business conditions have caused a lot
of deep sea. thinking, but 1t isn't a
situation which encourages reckless
diving.
Practically every legislative cam
didate has one purpose in view---re-
duction of state expense. So far as
the governorship contest Is con-
cerned there Is less division regard
ing the tax question than Oh the
tariff schedule on wooden hair pins.
Fact of the matter is everyone who
is running for anything this year
from township constable to governor
is talking about using pruning
knife on the tax levy. So far as real
action Is concerned the governor
really won't have much II anything
to do with it The legislature which
votes on the appropriation bills Is
saving that cheerful little job for its
very own.
1t may be rather hard winter for
some of the fellows who are serving
on high salaried boards and commits
sions. No one need suffer nerve
shock If bunch of these places are
junked. 1t may be that funds of
some of the state schools may be
cut ut the trouser pockets. Aside
from those general plans and pur-
poses the 236 candidates for the 125
house jobs haven't indicated any de-
cided plan or purpose.
Always, of course, there Is II
chance for something to develop. But
the strike trouble will likely block
any move toward organized opposi-
tion to the life of the industrial court
act. The law will probably receive
some patches. But the repair WORK
will doubtless be for the purpose OF
improving rather than killing the
law. The legislature may change
the plan Of selecting the court. Ii
may rc-establish it with the public
utilities commission. Very few legis-
laive candidates, though, are out to
make a fiat fight for repeal Of the
law.
Il II ~ w n u
commission will receive some chugs.
The utilities commission may have
some days when there will be moth
ing but snow and rain and generally
unpleasant weather. Speeches by
some of the house members probably
won't please the board Of admins
tration, the bank commissioners or
the board of health, either
Farm Bill's Fate
Two years ago the agricultural
consolidation bill was big hobby.
Most of the proposed consolidating
boards which either had
mt existed or hadn't received a
nickle In state funds in ten years.
The only opposition to this consoli-
1ation, 1t seems, is from the actual
farmer interests which want to re.
tain control of the board which has
been their own since he state was
been their own since the state was
passage of bill which would make
he department a political football
lot opposition to consolidation.
Funny thing happened in the row
N 1921. The only real slash In de-
,artment appropriations was In the
'armer's branch Of the state govern
board Of agriculture.
Reeds New Dream
Clyde M. Reed, chairman Of the
public utilities commission, has
ragged out n new idea for legisla-
i've thought. Reed wants the. state
10 build a half dozen or more large
grain elevators In the wheat belt and
operate them. The program calls for
l two thirds vote of both houses and
adoption of a constitutional amend
ment. Reed frankly admits that he
doesn't see a chance for his proposal
before the present state senate and
the house personnel Is yet Of some
speculation. If Reed pushes his pro-
noooI ood rnaat1 a l0f 0f first class