The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-03-31
Want Inspectors to Censor the
Pictures.
But Must Depend on 1915 Leg
isIature for Pay.
THERE IS NO APPROPRIATION
To Pay Inspectors the So per
Day for Work.
So Atty. General and State
Supt. Advertise for Men.

Wanted-Competent and public spirited
man or woman to inspect moving pictures.
Applicants must be willing to trust to 1915
legislature for their pay. No funds avail
able befre that date. Send references
with application to w. D. Ross, state su-
perintendent of public instruction, state
house, Topeka, Kan
Some person who can answer all of
those requirements, one with a keen
conception of the moral benefits of
all movie" films and a person whose
benevolent and public spirit is above
question, is needed and needed at
once to straighten out the moving pic
ture censorship problem in the state
house. w. D. Ross, state superinten-
dent of public instruction, has appeal
ed again to the attorney general for
aid. And the above advertisement is
the result of his visit with Attorney
General John S. Dawson.
superintendent Ross has already
inspected several films. Then he was
reminded of more urgent business
and abandoned the film censorship
until some future date. The new law
says that with the approval of the
governor, Ross may appoint one or
more assistants who shall draw SO a
day for their work. But the bill does
not carry an appropriation. Conse-
Quently, the person holding the job
must wait until the 1915 legislature
which might be Democratic or Re-
publican or Progressive-shan meet
and approve the claim.
Attorney General Dawson feels
reasonably sure that the person act
ing an assistant in the censorship
work will get his pay, but there is
nothing guaranteed. In the meantime,
the work of censoring the movies is
not receiving attention and Superin-
tendent Ross frankly admits his help
lessness. Yet the situation isn't at all
new in Kansas.
Once the legislature forgot to make
an appropriation for a district judge
and his Stenographer. But they went
right on providing the judicial district
with justice and when the next legis-
lature met the judge and his stenogra-
pher were given full pay with 6 per
cent interest. Then when the Omaha
exposition was held, the Kansas legis-
lature voted for a state exhibit. But
in the rush of the closing days of the
session, the legislature forgot to make
an appropriation for the building. Pub
lie spirited Omaha business men real
lied that the intentions of the sister
state were good and paid for the build
ing themselves. The next session of
the legislature paid the bill.
Much the same situation is now con-
fronted in the picture censorship bill.
The law provides for clerkships and
assists, but there IS nothing in the
bills which permits any
of these appointees to draw funds from
the state treasury. So Attorney Cen
eral Dawson has suggested that some
one, who is not in imm ediate need of
their pay, serve as deputy censor and
wait on the 1915 legislature for their
pay superintendent Ross views the
matter with some alarm, however
Even in the face of this legal advice,
he isn't at all sure about the matter.
Maybe he will appoint a deputy on the
terms suggested by Dawson. Maybe
he won't.
In the meantime the new law is
ready to go into effect. But no films
ara being censored.