The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-02-06
GOODBYE TO 125
Bill in House to Abolish Oil
Inspectors.
Would Tear COgs Out of a
Political Machine.
THEIR WORK DONE BY E!GHT
New and Old Oil Inspectors
Favor Plan.
1t Saves State $4,000 a
Year.
THEIR WORK DONE BY E!GHT

Fighting to fulfill every pledge in the
1912 platform, the Kansas Democrats
today turned the AK on the state en-
ployees when Miller. of Ottawa county,
introduced a bill to abolish the offices
of 125 deputy oil inspectors and to
place the work in the hands of six
men. This action will mean the legis-
lation out of business of
one of the biggest political
business of one of the biggest political
machines built in Kansas in recent
years and will amount to a direct saw
ing to the state of practically S20 900
a year.
Miller is backed in his fight not only
by Governor Hodges but by Frank
Cumiskey, the new state oil inspector,
who will succeed Joe L. Longshore in
office April 1. Every ounce of fight
ing strength at the command of the
administration forces will be thrown
behind the Miller bill and the passage
OF the measure will mean the legisla-
ton out of Office of deputy oil inspec-
tors in practically every county in
the state.
Frank Cumiskey, when he was ap-
pointed to the oil inspectors office be-
gan to look around for a system where
by he could reduce the small army of
men who held commissions as deputy
| inspectors. He discussed the measure
with Governor Hodges and the bill
introduced in the house this morning
by the Ottawa county representative
was the result of their efforts
Records show that last year the
state paid to deputy oil inspectors $685.
SOB. That amount will be reduced prac-
tlcally $4,000 by the passage of the
new bill. The six deputy inspectors to
succeed the 125 now on the states paw
roll, will each receive a salary of
81, 200 a year. With the bill is carried
an appropriation Of $4,000 a year for
maintenance of the office This 81
together with the expense for deputies
and other operating expenses of the
Office will bring the years budge+ To
only $4,000, or a difference in favor
of the state of SIS, SOB for the first wear
The new oil bill establishes a deputv
at the principal refineries within the
state and his duty will be to inspect an
oil, seal cars and make records of chin
ments In addition to five men who
shall handle the shipments from Kan
sas refineries, one man will look after
the shipments into the state from for
eign refineries.
Not only will this new system elim-
mate a little army of useless state
employees, but it will systematic the
work and prove more satisfactory to
the state in general, is the claim of
the men behind the measure.
1T Is only after giving the matter
the most careful consideration" said
Frank Cumiskey, the new state oil in
spector, that I recommended the
passage of this new oil bill. I have
discussed the matter thoroughly with
Governor Hodges and with Mr. Long
shore, the present inspector and am
fully satisfied that the work can be
handled with a direct saving of $50
900 a year to the state and the very
best results obtained. Not only will we
be able to accomplish all of
that but the administration will
escape from the old campaign
charges that the department is
maintained for political purposes The
office has grown wonderfully in the
last two years and the best and most
carefully organized system is necessary
to make the work a success. I believe
that the new bill will accomplish all of
that
The bill offered in the house by Nil
Ter was introduced today in the SEN
ate by Senator John H. Overfield
Kansas will have a board of admin
istration in charge of her educational
institutions after the first of next June
if the house bill passed late WedneS-
day, 80 to 81, goes through the SEN
ate. And the odds are that it will,
and Governor Hodges will surely sign
adopted by the Democratic majority
in preference to the Lyon bill, be-
cause the Keene bill appeared to be
the best measure. Tt is concise, prac-
tical and brief. 1t embraces the
school for the deaf at Olathe and for
the blind at Kansas City as we'll as
the three big schools at Lawrence,
Manhattan and Emporia. Three
members comprise the board and not
more than two shall come from one
political party and not more than one
from a congressional district and not
more than one shall be an alumnus of
an institution. The governor appoints
them and they shall receive a salary
of $4,000 per year and expenses. The
new board is to have offices in the
state house. Its authority over all the
institutions is complete and absolute.
All important amendments to the
Keene bill We're decisively beaten and
the Lyon substitute bill was beaten
SIS to As. Party lines were ob1iterated
Keene led the debate for his bill and
Brown and Barrett, both Democrats,
helped him. Lyon, a Democrat, fought
for his own substitute and Stone and
Brewster, both Republicans, helped
him.
The change in the management of
the five big schools is a wide depar-
ture from established custom and is
viewed with doubt by many people
who have given the subject much
thought. Such a bill was passed by
the last legislature and Governor
Stubbs vetoed it.
mt