The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-05-06
Governor Stubs Satisfied With
Work of Administration.
Willing to Let 1t Be Judged by
Business Standards.
MRS. CRANES APPEAL.
Asks State to Let Their Home
Alone.
Labor Commissioner Johnson
Announces Appointments.

Governor Stubs is pleased over the
progress of affairs in the various de-
partments of the state under the meth
DDS of the new appointees. In taking
to a caller today the governor oe-
cIared that he was willing that the sue
cess or failure of his administration
should rest upon the result of whether
or not the affairs of the state had been
placed upon a business basis he want
ed a dollars worth OF work tor ever
dollar paid out by the state. he sald
that he had appointed all heads OF De
partments Just as he would select lot
of superintendents of railroad track
construction-with a view solely to get
the best results.
The governor spoke of the re-organ1-
zation Of the grain department under j.
T White of Ada While in recent years
there had been a deficit in this depart
ment of as high as $4,000. yet 1t Is
hoped and expected that the new gram
inspector will pay all the expenses CT
the department and turn money over 10
the state in the bargain.
While the question of site for the
proposed memorial building is up in the
air pending the absolute refusal or MI
and Mrs G. w. Crane to sell their
home at Ninth and Harrison streets for
a site. yet not even the outside papers
of the state can accuse this Topeka
couple of holding up the state on the
price. Mr.. Crane offered to give 5000
toward the extra payment for any
other site If the commission would
leave his property alone. He does not
want to sell at any price. Mrs. crane
went to see the governor yesterday
and made a personal appeal to him to
let her property alone. 1t has been un-
derstood that the governor has held
out all along for the Harrison street
corner. Mr.. and Mrs. Crane moved
into this home right after their mar
rage many years ago and have lived
there ever since They struggled along
in this home during the early years or
Mr. Cranes business ventures and later
improved and beautified the property
during his years of prosperity They
love the place and want to spend the
remaining years of their life there. 1t
is not a question of money at all, but
sentiment-a rare virtue in this era OF
commercialism but more valuable than
riches. To sell the old home for dollars
and gain is like selling happiness
Many people cannot understand this
sentiment, but nevertheless it is a fine
thing. Mrs. Cranes appeal to the gov
ernor would have moved a heart of
stone.
It is extremely doubtful if the state
can condemn private property for this
building anyway, as the condemnation
law explicitly states that the state can
only condemn private property where
such land is necessary to the interest
of the state. Now in this case no par
ticular site is necessary for this build
ing the only requirement being that
such site face the state house square.
The Tenth and Jackson corner can be
secured at a reasonable sum and it full
fills the requirement of the law.
The memorial commission want a
choice location at a low price and then
seek to throw the blame for the delay
on Topeka. People owning beautiful
homes facing the state house square
are not disposed to sell them at any
price. The commission will have to
select some less desirable corner or
turn in a report OF nothing done.
W. L. A. Johnson. state labor COM