Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1907-01-10

Nul.NnNMUmk RLAHAMNLANN
the state board 81 health, especially d
Its interchangeable secretary, pr. 3 y.
CTrinbIne, for the efforts that have
been made to improve the sanitary con-
dIti0ns OF the state and promote the
health Of the people. Invite careful
port and Of his wise suggestions. J
specially commend his recommendation
Tor q revision OF our pure-food laws
along the line Of the new national pure
food law. The evil Of edulterated foods
and drinks ID incalcuia1le. you win
mort that the state board OF health has
entered into tentative contract with
the geological survey Of the federal
government looking to the sanitary and
Industrial survey Of the natural waters
Of Kansas. This contract was entered
ernor and meets with my hearty ap-
proyal. The government has appr0pri-
ated 1850 for this purpose, and you
Will be asked to appropriate a similar
sum for each Of two years..
tion. claimed nearly 1000 victims IN
Kansas In 1906. Most Of these casea
were persons who came here FROM
other states, hoping In our higher aIti-
tude and healthful climate to regain
their health. but the number OF these
cases suggests some serious questions
for consideration. The recommenoat.ssSa a
establishment OF a Tuberculosis sanithr-
ium Is worthy OF your most serious pt.
tention, The state board Of control Y
also confronted with this problem apd
will urge you to supply facilities where
BY tuberculous cases In the state W
inmates. Our laws for the COLLECTION
OF accurate and complete statistics 81
births and deaths In this state are very
inadequate, and as these statistics. az
OF vital Importance In order TO proper
these laws should be strengthened HhV
made more effective.
Fish and Game Law.
The fish and game law enacted nv
the last legislature Is working admir-
ably. commend to your most favor-
able consideration the recommendationaI
of the fish warden, Mr.. ID. w. travis
and l am sure personal visit TO the
institution, located near Pratt, BY the
members Of this Legislature would make
each and all Of you enthusiastic sup
porters Of 1t.
state Treasury Examination:
when came into offlca two years
ago / was confronted with the duty
81 continuing an examination OF the
state treasury already begun, growing
ogt ps shSrgeS q irsaHYlSsitfse gisiataa
appropriated $4,000 for this investigation.
/ at once appointed q high-class advis-
ory committee TO assist me In this DELI
cate and difficult task consisting OF Judge
A. w. Benson, Judge Ansel 4. clark. ano
ex-state Treasurer 8. T, Howe. WIN
the aid Of these gentlemen, l selectea
the well-known accounting firm Of Has
klns & Sells to make the investigation
and with them also formulated the IN
structions for the Investigation. Tns e1 ~
port showed an amount aggregatn4 Se,-
BOO which needed explanation. Every
one familiar with the facts knew that
there was no such real shortage. Inc
total sum included about $4,000 interest
on what are known as Oklahoma war
rants, which the Shawnee county aS-
trict court as soon as Is me 9uest Ion
a shortage Much Of the remaining
amount as every one knew. involved
what are known as clipped coupons.
In harlnony with my Instructions, tine
attorney-general brought suit against
amount covered by his term Of office,
and, after a lengthy trial, the court de-
cided that the state had no case against
the treasurer, Mr.. T. T. Kelly. the
greater part Of the unexplained amount
was Incurred during the adminlst rl
b. Grimes, and that gentleman promptly
paid into the treasury $e,SSl.Sb.
The investigation was further yalu-
able in revealing the imperfection OF the
system Of bookkeeping which has long
been in vogue in the business depart
ments Of the state government. Elk
perts have since been at work perfect
Ing a plan for the permanent improve
ment Of this Service, which will De
submitted for your approval, and which
l trust will be given.
Treasurers' Bond.
This legislature should fix definitely
the status of this whole treasurer's bond
amount Of the bond upon the governor is.
in my Judgment, an unwlse provision:
The law itself should fix the amount Of
the bond, and / believe It to be also .
matter Of palpable justice and good busi-
ness for the state, to meet the expenses
course, to require the treasurer to pay
for a surety bond, which ! believe to
be the best security to the state, out Of
his meager salary.
Monthly Examinations.
The law enacted In 1879 requires q
monthly examination Of the state treas
ufy by the governor, secretary Of state.
and auditor. The performance OF this
duty by these officers has always been
necessarily perfunctory and OF little
value. II ia performance similar In
character to the examination Of county
treasures by the probate judge ana
examiners appointed by the county com
missioners. which every one familiar with
the subject knows to be buriesque on
business. II these examinations are wise
and necessary, they should be made by
experts who have both the peculiar quail
fication and time to make them efficient.
II seems to me that quarterly examina-
tiona made by the state accountant and
his assistants would yitallze such exam
nations and make them Of practical
value.
Insurance.
Mr.. Lullng, commissioner Of insurance,
renews some former recommendation,
which / heartily commend to your con-
slderation Among these / especially
mention the creation Of the office OF
fire marshal and a law providing for
the publication in certain state papers
periodically of q list Of companies au-
thorixed to do business in this state.
Labor Bureau.
The work Of the Bureau Of Labor and
Industry and Factory InspeUtion has been
largely augmented by recent statutory
enactments as well as by the growth Of
the state In population and In material
interests. These conditions have put an
amount Of additional labor upon Labor
Commissioner w. L, A. johnson and his
assistants beyond their power adequate
" to perform. Mr.. johnson aalka for adj