The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-12-04
Its Work Appreciated by All
Who Seek Information.
LEGISLATORS ARE USING IT
Their Queries Indicate Trend
OF Coming Legislation.
Library Now Equipped to
Cover Wide Field.

one of the best indications of the
class OF legislation to be enacted in
Kansas this winter, is gathered from
the scores Of letters received by lanes
l.. King, state librarian. IT is tn tha
state reference library that the 1919
law makers are looking for data con-
corning their pet measures and for tns
IorInatlon concerning the operation Of
eIn IldIn laws In other states. This in
formation is being cheerfuIIy furnishes
py Mr.. King and his departroapt -
puphc information has already made
tors. A0slSis1T
Last week Mr.. King addressed -
sona1 letter to each of the TR5 nera-s
perS OF the new legislature He told
tnem or the equipment and burmese cP
the reference library and mentioned
the Wfoe range of topics covered in
the files of the library. Then King
lnVlted inquiry concerning any laws
or special legislative enactments which
the legislator had in mind PossibIxr
some or the new members had never
neard or the state reference Iibrarv-
II mas been in operation but four years
And yet for those four years If has
performed public service that makes
certain 1ts permanency in the state
mousse. More than 100, 900 books ana
pamphlets are housed under the care
OF MI. King and there is not an i'm.
portant state or federal law on which
me librarian cannot furnish valuable
information.
With this knowledge at hand. +ha
new law makers began to describe
lheir wants The requests for infor-
nation have only begun to arrive,
hlng assured a visitor to the lthrorv
But the reference library is already a
gooo weather vane on the legislation
Whlch the Democratic house and SEN
ate Will strive to enact this winter.
T rom out IN the short grass coun--
inn f,-so
irrigation and drainage laws not only
the law of Kansas, but facts as to the
irrigation laws of Colorado and other
sCateS- That is one of the big prob
lens that is worrying the people or
western Kansas just at this tirne To
them 1t is just as important and nara
mount an issue as the paving. ans
sewer problems in Topeka's nn1lnicipaI
aL1alrs. And so, the law makers from
western Kansas are provided wifi, . n
armtui OF data on which they may
nase the construction of some new ir-
r1gatton laws for this state.
But that is only one item. From,
every section of the state comes in
qulr1es as to the tax question. some
now the legislators have a deep-roo+ed
WeIl-founded idea that the taxes in
hansas are too high; that they need
II 4lAlls; But now? And SO in an effort
10 soIve this problem the reference
library has been asked for Information
or varied descriptions. From this as
sortment of views on the tax problem,
the next legislature will probably be
hooueu with a variety of tax laws that
VIII Keep the committee working over
time. e
There is the initiative and referendup,
and the recall. without a do1,bt tTa
Democrats intend to submit those CON
! sstltut1onai amendments in 1914 But
they are loading themselves with are1J-
ment concerning the two big reforms
and almost every mail contains some
new inquiry asking for light on the
merits of these two platform promises .
Inc insurance question, the election
laws, the school laws, banking lave
public health laws and laws ree,,latinS
pubic service corporations and dozen
other topics are being investigated NV
the new crop of law builders
IL is quite probable-judging from the
mail received by the reference library
that the 1913 legislature will endeayor
to pass a law permitting the use OF
voting machines. Just at present the
question is being studied from a dozen
angles by men who are coming to the
mouse and senate this winter
The insurance law in the roinds %
some members, is in need of repairs
ana so the Democratic Iegisla tllre win
probably work to bring about a few
'eIor1ns In the present insurance laws
Another trouble maker for the next
legislature is probably the mortgage
AK question. The Democrats have for
TWO years promised a reform in the
mortgage tax tangle. This year thew
expect to enact law which will eIin,j
nate the so-cal1ed system of double
.axation.
Some radical changes in the fish and
same laws are also probable The
Kansas sportsmen's associations will
a strong lobby in Topeka this
winter. They have already declared
var on some of Prof Dyche's pet game
avs, and in a number of districts they
pledged legislative candidates to fight
he present laws. And so the Demo-
rats must wrestIe with the question of
he propagation of quail and the rais-
ng of corn-fed catfish, just as the Re-
'ublicans labored in the past.
All of these questions, and others.
ind their way to the desk of Librarian
King. And he smilingIy sends out IN
ormation, and invites the law maker
o call again.
The state reference library was es-
ablished four years ago when the 1903
legislature made appropriation FOR
is maintenance. In 1911 it was recog-
lized as valuable auxiliary to the
tate library and there was no dis
,ute when the reference Hbrary's ap-
,ropriation claim was up for considera-
ion. Now the reference library is firm
Y established. and in the next few
months will probably prove of greater
-alue to Kansas law makers than at
my time since it was created.