The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-12-13
CRIMES HAS PLAN
State Treasurer Discusses Dis
position of Public Funds.
Would Have Repositories All
Over Kansas.
AWAY FROM TOPEKA.
Believes in Distributing Funds
Outside Local Banks.
Says He Has Acted Only Under
Provisions of Statutes.

State Treasurer F. E. Grimes wants
the legislature to create authority for
the designation of banks in various
parts Of the state as state repositories,
but the treasurer does not recommend
the collection Of interest on daily bal
ances-
Mr.. Grimes believes that the exclusive
privilege Of collecting state moneys and
serving in the capacity of state deposit
tories should be taken from the BANKS
of Topeka
This information is obtained from the
treasurer's biennial report. in which ap-
pears the following:
The production of the public funds is
a question Of grave Importance, and de-
mands the most careful and deliberate
consideration. When I first came into
office, I began a correspondence with
other state treasurers on the subject of
state repositories I find that only two
states have laws alilxe-Iowa and Kan
sas Iowa has had its law for p years,
and has not lost a dollar by it In my
correspondence with state treasurers,
find that few OF them seem TO De SaItS-
fed with their present law, and are try
ing to provide all the safe guards they
can to protect their states money.
That the law under which this office is
now operating has been of benefit to the
treasury is evidenced by the fact that
since its enactment. in 1891 there has
been saved to the state more than 1925
GOO by reason of disseminating the for
ner practice of paying mileage and ex-
penSes to county treasurerS. who, under
the old law, personally brought to the
treasurer the amounts due from the var
ious counties Now remittances by coun-
ty treasurers are mostly made by draft
through the mail, and collections are
made without expense to the state, and
amounts so transmitted are neither re-
of the treasury. until the treasurer has
knowledge that the drafts have been
paid
TT may be that the present law pro-
viding for collection repositories could
be made more satisfactory to the people
generally by an amendment permitting
the appointment of collection agents
from among any of the banks of Kansas
instead of limiting such appointments to
the banks of Topeka, and certainly the
present treasurer would cheerfully ad-
minister such law, but at present he
can only act in accordance with the
provisions of the statute. Such a law
should require the treasurer to take
government. state or surety bonds Tor
security, and should be SO framed as to
protect the treasurer and his bOndsmen,
and to expedite the business of his Office
and Of the state at large.
Your treasurer gives a bond of ST.
000, 600 to indemnify the state against
loss through him: this is ample protec-
ton for the interests OF the people. and
think the provisions of any law enact
ed should contemplate that the treasurer
should be unhampered and unembar-
raised in conducting the affairs of his
department. A reasonable use of the
states money could be made a source Of
profit to the state by interest on the
daily balances
ANY law or amendment providing
greater protection to the funds under the
control of this department will receive
my unqualified approval and support"
The suit against Mr. Grimes, under
charge Of accepting interest on daily
balances in the banks Of Topeka, has
been abandoned.