The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-10-29
THE MISSIONARIES IT IS TO TRAVEL
State Printer Austin Has Lib
eral Allowance.
Takes Over Responsibilities
Entire Commission.

| While the legislature was busy with
heavy calendar and several thou
sand items in the appropriation bills,
State Printer w. G. Austin went be-
fore the ways and means committee
last winter for a little chat with it's
members. And when the legislature
adjourned, Austin had for the first
time in the history of the state print
| ing plant slipped a little joker in the
! appropriation bill which gave him
! $4,000 to cover such junketing trips
as himself or men in his employ
might make in two years.
Now, and as long as the funds in
Item No. of the state printers ap-
preparation holds out, Austin can
make such trips within or beyond the
borders of the state as he sees fit and
there is nothing for the state auditor
to do but to pass the claim and pay
the bill with money from the state
treasury.
! AS an ex-officio member of the state
school text book commission, Aus
tins power and authority. seems un-
limited. He makes trips at his own
convenience, sends his foremen on
trips when he SO desires, refrains
from calling the commission together
for final action on the purchase of
school texts, refuses to state his po-
sition regarding his stand on the pur-
chase of Kansas manuscripts or works
of eastern writers, assumes power OF
the entire commission by discussing
the purchase of $4,000 worth of
equipment for the addition to the
state printing plant and does not so
much as mention to other members
the fact that he has secured bids and
estimates.
BY Power of Statute.
With the same unlimited power and
authority which was neither conferred
, on him bv statute or vested by vote
of the commission, Austin becomes a
superintendent of construction on the
building of the addition to the printing
plant and the r-printer-teacher-
teXtbook-expert-co passes on
the quality of brick, sand and cement
with the same display of confidence and
knowledge that ne investigates rotary
and fiat bed presses, textbooks and
manuscripts without approval, recon-
fendation or authority from any ind1-
vidual, board or commission, although
the commission has hired and is pay
ing an expert material inspector for the
purpose.
Just at this time Mr.. Austin plans
to go east to look at some 1ew fiat
bed and rotary presses to be used in
the printing of school books by the
state.
will the state or machinery manu-
facturers pay for these trips to in
spect presses?' was asked of Austin.
THE state will pay it, said the
public printer, who added after min
ute's reflection, IT suppose 1 could
travel all over the country at the ex-
pense of the machinery people. But I
don't intend to do it. The state will
pay.
IF 1 were installing $4,000 worth of
n MI of NV
own, L would not put it in without
careful investigation and comparison.
L would be derelict in my duty as state
printer if 1 did not investigate
suppose some one or all of the six
other members of the commission de-
sire to ask a few questions about this
machinery and equipment before they
vote to spend the SIS, 00O?'' was asked.
Could Come Back.
We'll, if they should want to ask a
few questions, l suppose it could be
arranged to have representatives of
the companies come here"
But Mr.. Austin assumed an Offend
ed expression when it was suggested
that perhaps someone would want to
ask questions after he had concluded
his investigation" and made his re-
port.
Then the matter of $4,000 appro-
priation for travelling expenses was
brought to Austin's attention. 1t was
IeCdIlSO lIldl III 1911 the legislature
voted $4,000 a year for ''incidentaIs
repairs, premium on surety bonds,
contingent expenses and ink" In 1913,
through Austin'S labors with the ways
and means committee-accordin to
his own statement-that legislature
voted $4,000 a year for ''incidentals,
repairs, travelling expenses, premium
on surety bonds, contingent expenses
and ink That left $1,000 year for
junketing. No other item except
'4tTaVallinQ c NV
the extra appropriation at the hands
of the last legislature.
''Will you spend all of this $4,000
in travelling expenses" was asked
Austin.
Thought He'd Spend $500.
mo, not more than $500, I think"
was the reply.
What will you do with the other
s1,5OO?"
well, it can be used for any
emergency expense.
'Such as what?' was asked.
Il think We will build a new floor
in the composing room for one thing"
replied Austin.
But the extra $4,000 remains
Under the administration of T. A
McNeal, the state provided no junket-
ing expense for the printer. In. fact,
the state auditor refused to permit
McNeal to attend even the national
trades meeting at state expense.
do you inspect the brick, cement
and other material that goes into the
building. besides looking after con-
tracts for the $4,000 worth of new
machinery" was asked of Austin.
Certainly, 1 feel an interest in the
plant" replied Austin. IF materials
are not proper, I should have some
thing to say about it,
Rejected Car of Brick.
"Have you rejected or complained
of any of the materials furnished by