The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-12-28
Commissioners Formulating Sug-
gestions to Legislature.
Would Have Those Governing
County Boards Amended.
WANT LONGER TERMS.
Suggest Elective Periods of Four
Years for County Officers.
Also Request That Old Bridge
Law Be Reenacted.

Five commissioners from Douglas,
Crawford and Sedgwick counties are
meeting with the commissioners or
Shawnee county today for the purpose
of drafting resolutions which will be
presented to the legislature asking rad
ical changes in some of the laws gov
erning the county boards of the state.
The men attending the meeting are: A.
c. Walter, Douglas county: w. H. Bra
den, L. d. Erlocher and H. A. Hutch
Epson, of Crawford county; and s. B.
Kealder, of Sedgwick county. They,
with Frank B. Simms, of Shawnee coun-
ty, form the committee appointed at the
state meeting in Wichita to draft pro-
posed changes in the laws. Mr.. SimmS
is chairman of the state committee
Before the meeting adjourns this eV-
ening, the committee will prepare for
NAL resolutions asking for changes IN
the Kansas laws governing the latitude
of county commissioners. Among the
more important changes asked Will be
an amendment to the law governing
appropriations for bridge repairs, In
creasing possible appropriations Tor
new bridges, a change in the consti-
tuition of the state providing for TOUR
year term for all state and county or
ficials, law permitting county boarcs
to appoint county assessors or to abol-
ish the office entirely as each Individual
board may deem fit, a law for the as
sessment of real property each -FOUR
years instead of every two years as
now provided. The committee this
morning decided to endorse the recon-
mendation of the tax commission gov
erning the new assessment law.
Change in Bridge Law.
One of the important measures which
will be advocated in the legislature VIII
be the adoption of the old repair law
allowing county boards to make appro-
priations on repairs of bridges equal
to the original cost of construction.
This law was on the statute books from
1901 to 1909 when it was repealed. The
present law does not permit boards 20
levy for repairs on individual bridges
in excess of 81 900. For larger appro-
priation, it is necessary to submit
bond issue and more frequently these
bonds are defeated by the voters, While
in cases where the boards made ieVles'
no questions were raised against the
appropriations. An illustration or the
present law is given in the case OF the
Granville bridge, which was bulit
! Jointly by Jefferson and Shawnee coun-
| ties. The bridge has been out of COM
mission for a long time, but 1t is I'M
possible to make repairs. Under the
present law the two counties may
| Jointly appropriate $4,000 for rebu1ldlns
the structure The estimate cost for
repairs is 900 and the work has been
| left undone. Many cases similar 10 the
Granville trouble are cited by the rep
| resentatives from other large counties
/ Make Assessors Optional.
| The county assessor law has caused
/ the committee a good deal of griei
and has brought about considerable
| discussion. Some of the smaller coun-
ties in the state have clamored for the
| abolition of the law providing for the
| office while other counties think the
Office is performing a valuable service
AS a compromise, the committee VIII
recommend to the lawmakers an op-
Etional clause in the law, whereby SINAI
| counties may do away with county as
! SCISSORS, il SO desired.
Under the present law, commissioner
| can levy but $4,000 for new bridges. The
committee in Topeka today thinks the
maximum should be increased to $5,0U'
and will ask an amendment covering
/ their suggestion.
The committee is also discussing mu
| tual needs and remedies in connection
| with their plans for new laws. Tht
committee is evenly divided in regard Il
political complexion and their opinion:
of Kansas laws are brought about from
| observation of practical enforcement II
the larger counties of the state.
The meeting will adjourn this even