The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-11-20

Kansas is problematical. The labor
commissioner returned to Washington
today without going on record regarding
the matter.
What 10o0 900, 600 American citizens will
eat the next 10 years. who will produce
the food stuffs and what they will cost
delivered at the consumers door is a
serious problem. Likewise there is a
demand to know something of wage
scales and opportunities for employ
ment These big questions brought
Neil personally to Kansas; and he ad-
mits that he can't solve the puzzle.
That much of the responsibility Of
feeding these 100 900, 600 people viii fall
on the shoulders of Kansas. Neil IS free
4o admit This is NeiI's first visit to
the state He says nice things about
the states development and its future;
b15t as to the solution of the big ques-
ton which he came to Topeka to study
Neil is hazy and he cares not to ven
ture a guess
lust way Neil and his two assistants
suddenly decided to come to Kansas. Is
2 matter on which the labor commls-
sioner does not throw the least bit OF
light. He IS here IhatS also far as
the general public knows. Just why
this hurried Investigation of the high
cost of living, there is no answer from
Neil Does it have a bearing on future
national legislation? Neil demurs
Yet. he admits that a small army OF
experts have suddenly invaded every
section of the country to solve
problem that confronts several million
families Neil himself has deserted his
comfortable surroundings in Washing
TON and has shouldered the respons1-
hility of directing the campaign me
reports he admits. are to be compiled
with every degree of haste Neil hlm-
self declares these reports VIII be used
only to relieve the unrest in the pub
lie minds. If the records which the
men obtain in Kansas and elsewhere
have a bearing on national legislation,
tbe labor commissioner denies any
knowledge of the plan. He was told
to come to Kansas and he came.
Making Careful Investigation.
Another feature of the Investigate
which is being carried on in Kansas
is the fact that the study or conditions
ts more minute in detail than ever be-
fore. One of the big things which Nell
= anxious to know about Kansas, IS
Row much wheat does the state pro-
5,,re He wants to know what the
probable output for next year and ten
Years from now will be. he wants 70
Iruow how many barrels OF flour kan
~as will furnish the world. Everyone
Eats bread and Neil admits that the
amount Of bread made from Kansas
7o1r Mound from Kansas wheat IS
1,ie~ item in the filing OF the workman's
oi11ile Then. too. Neil is anxious to know
earnething about the Kansas hen. the
Kansas Ell steer anu tAiS Kansas
5airv COW The demand for eggs, beef
steak and butter are just the next step
behind the demand for bread; ana
1That Kansas has. can AMI viii do in
the production of the three big items.
fs something that must hnd its way in
-JeiTs report
II is also quite easy to understand
something of the value of Netrs deduc-
lions If congress should next winter
volunteer to take hand In the cost
~ food stuffs and pass a few laws That
would tend to lower prices at the cor
ner grocery store. That isn't all. Neil
wants figures on wage scales as af-
fecting some $50 cccupa tions and about
20 branches Of mechanical and manu-
1e-o...tr,,aa On Nraxt Paga-A