The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-01-04

Mr.. Nation probably knows more
about state expenses and the economy
and extravaganza of state government
than any other man, and it is his opin-
ion that the change in the government
of the penal and other state institutions
and in the departments above referred
would save the state five hundred
thousand dollars annually and improve
the institutions beside. Mr.. Nation
says that the state printery is one OF
the greatest sources of extravaganza
and says that all the reports of state
officers, many of which are duplica--
tions, should not make more than one
small volume. Mr.. Nation thinks this
commission could do its work in three
years and it would be the best invest
ment the state has ever made as 1t
would result in placing the state on Il
real business basis. His bill follows:
The Nation Bill.
BE it enacted by the legislature Of
the state of Kansas: Within thirty
days after this act takes effect the gov
ernor shall appoint a commission con-
sisting of three members. to be known
as the commission on state affairs. Said
commission shall hold it's meetings IN
the state house and the executive
council shall provide a suitable room
for such meetings The members If
said commission shall be allowed a pc"
diem of ten dollars per day for the tina
actually employed in attending meet
ings of tine commission and actual and
necessary expenses. Said commission
shall be in session not to exceed TWEEN
ty days during the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1911, and not to exceed one.
hundred days during the fiscal year
ending June 30, 1912. and not to exceed
fifty days during the fiscal year end
ing June go 1913.
Sec. 2. The commission shall or
ganize by electing one of its mem
bers chairman and another member
secretary. The commission shall have
no clerks or employees, but may hire
such stenographic help as may be re-
CURED and pay for the same out of
the amount appropriated for the ex-
penses of the commission
''Sec. 8. Said commission shall make
an Investigation of all state depart
ments. shall inquire into the method
of transacting business therein and
shall ascertain the number of en-
ployees required to transact the bust
ness of each department. Said COM
mission shall ascertain what depart
ments may properly be abolished or
com bined with other deDartm ents
Sec. 4. Said commission shall make
an investigation of the various state
boards, the amount and nature of the
business transacted by each board and
the number of employees required :
shall ascertain what boards may be
abolished or combined with other
boards or departments.
'Sec. 5. Said commission shall in
vestigate the department of public
printing and shall ascertain what
printing is required and shall devise
a plan for the proper editing of all
official documents and reports required
to be printed to the end that no dupli-
cations shall occur in the reports of
departments and institutions and that
only those matters shall be printed
that serve some public good or for
which there is a public demand
A More Economic System Needed,
Sec. s. Said commission shall in
vestigate The state charitable penal
and educational institutions and shall
ascertain the number of employees re-
quired therein; shall inquire into the
expenditure of public monies in such
institutions and shall ascertain in what
manner such expenditures may be cur
tailed, and shall devise a more eco
nomical and efficient system of man
agement of such institutions
Sec. Z. Said commission shall in
-estigate the sources of public reve-
nues and shall determine to what ex-
tent the several departm ents and in
stitutions should be established on
paying basis, and shall, if possible. &C.
wise more just and EQUITABLE plar
of raising revenue for the state
''Sec. 8. Said commission shall make
it's findings and report the same to the
governor on or before the first day O.
November. 1912. The report of thu
commission shall be printed and thu
commission shall mail 4 copy of sale
report to each member Of the legisla
ture of 1918 at least ter days prior L
the opening of the legislative session.
Sec. 9. Said commission shall draf