The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-29
STATE IS HARD up
Auditor Nation Calls Attention
to Situation.
Says That Funds Will Be Elk.
hausted September 1.
PRESENTED IN SENATE
Ways and Means Committee Will
Consider Situation.
Trouble Caused by Former Leg
islature Being Too Close.

| AFOuOI0 caused Oy FORMER Leg
islature Being Too Close.
| The depleted condition of the state
| treasury, due to the failure of the
legislature Of two years ago to pro-
vide sufficient revenue to pay state
| expenses and take care of appropria-
| lions, was called to the attention of
| the senate late Thursday afternoon in
a communication from State Auditor
James NJ Nation. The condition of
the states finances the auditor con-
siders a very serious matter and he
| predicts that by october or possibly
| in September next, the state treasurer
| Will be stamping warrants mot
paid for want of funds"
This communication, which was
| addressed to Lieutenant Govern or
| Fitzgerald, president of the senate,
was read just prior to adjournm emit
| Thursday afternoon. 1t was referred
| to the committee on ways and means
| While it is admitted the condition
may be one of considerable serious
ness as the auditor declares, yet
many of the senators do not con-
slider it any occasion for becoming
alarmed and there is a general feel
ing prevailing that the state will be
found doing business at the old stand
even if the state treasurer does have
to use the mo funds" stamp.
1t Is stated that the last legislature
evidently made a mistake in calculat-
ing the amount of revenue that would
be required to pay state expenses and
appropriations provided for and the
levy made was not sufficient for the
will probably take action looking
toward an increase in the levy for
state taxes, if it is deemed necessary
to make such increase.
The states Finances.
Auditor Nations letter. which was
listened to very attentively by the
| senator's is as follows:
'I beg to call your attention to
matter pertaining to our state
finances which 1 consider of very
serious moment
1.-The facts are that the legisla-
ture two years ago failed to provide
for sufficient revenue to pay the ex-
penseS of the state, and take care of
the enormous appropriations made by
that legislature The result is that in
urer will be stamping warrants Not
paid for want of funds in October
and possibly in September of this
year.
1--WE had on hand on the first day of
December, 1908, in the general revenue
fund about $4,000, not including the
amount tied up in, the defunct First
National bank of Topeka. AT that time
practically all of the 1907 taxes had
been paid into the state treasury. We
have already drawn out of the county
treasures $662.000 of the 1908 taxes and
this $685., 900 will not more than pay the
expenses of the state up to February 1.
Now this leaves as a balance in the
hands of the county treasures, of the
tax of 1908, of 81, $40, 600. I estimate the
fees that will be received from various
sources. and available to pay current
expenses up to October 1, will aggre-
gate 100000. So that We will have
available cash with which to pay cur
rent expenses up to October l, about
| 81, $40, 900. Now I estimate that the ex-
penSeS of the state for the months of
February to September inclusive, will
avera ge $1,000 per month. I base this
estimate on the amount of buildings In
process of construction, the ordinary
current expenses of the state, and the
additional expense liable to be incurred
by this legislature in the way of de-
| ficiency appropriations and appropria-
lions becoming available at once. So
that between now and October 1 we VIII
have expenses aggregating 81, 400, 900,
and only $4,000 cash available to pay
it.
Il feel perfectly safe, therefore, in
advising you that the state treasurer
will be stamping warrants, Not paid
for want of funds not later than Oc-
tober and possibly in September of this
year"
Inc senate IN committee OF the WnOle
Thursday afternoon considered and rec
commended for passage only two bills,
one amending the present law relating
to weights and measures and the other
appropriating money to pay premiums
for agricultural and live stock exhibits
at county fairs.
There was but little objection raised
to the weights and measures bill as
drafted, with the exception of certain
provisions in section 15 which permit
ted reasonable variation" from the
stated weight. or measure for individual
packages, providing the variation is as
often above as below weight or meas
ure. Senators Brewster and Hodges
believed that provision destroyed the
force of the entire bill They believed
leave a means of evading the law in
cases of short weights or measures.
Senators Fagerberg and Carey explain
ed that in the case of certain commodi-
ties there was a shrinkage in weight af-
ter the article was put in barrels or
packages.
The senate finally decided to strike
out the provision in controversy and
retained the provision which allowed for
natural and ordinary shrinkage in such
commodities as may evaporate or
waste.
| The inoncent appearing little bill of
Senator Cooke which provided for per-
hitting county commissioners to give
$500 to county fair societies, which rails
| ed 5000 on their own part, raised quite
| a storm of controversy and incidental
| " it gave an excellent opportunity to a
number of senator's to advertise their
Irrespective county fairs
| Senator Avery submitted amendment
| requiring the Fair association to raise $3.50,
| whereupon the county commissioners
| could be authorized to give an equal
| amount. Senators Denton. Quincy. Carey
and Cooke rushed to the defense of the bill
and opposed Avery's amendment. They
| favored permitting the association to
raise 800 and the commissioners adding