The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-03-29
FROM OTHER PENS
COMMISSION GOVERNMENT FOR


me governor of Kansas has made an
interesting and significant suggestion to
the lawmakers of that state. He proposes
a sort of commission government for the
state, to replace the double-chambered
legislature. He would have one body
small and elective, composed of represen-
tatives of congressional districts, no dis
trlct to have more than two members
The legislature so constituted would sit
the year round and devote its entire time
to the states business.
Governor Hodges has no difficulty in
showing that the present legislative sys-
tenn is inefficient and waSueful. The Ses-
sfonS are short-to the joy of the citizens
and the rules and methods of legislative
procedure are generally absurdly unbusi-
nesslike. AS a result most of the stat
utes enacted are crude, ill-digested, full
of knots that puzzle the judiciary and
keep ingenious lawyers busy for years.
Whether commission government is as
feasible for states it is for cities, and,
if feasible, just what form ii should take,
are questions that will require good deal
of thoughtful discussion. Gov. Hodges
is not the first to propose a drastic
change, but he is the first to propose a
definite alternative scheme. He has rem
dered service to good government by
inviting a discussion that cannot fail to
bear fruit. There is no reason why state
government should be strictly modelled
after the federal government, any more
than there was reason in municipal copy
ing of state forms of government Changes
in municipal government are coming fast;
changes in state government are bound
to come before long, and the topic is
worthy of serious and scientific treat
ment.-Chicago Record-Herald.
o.
ON THE WAY TO MARKET.
1t is shown by The Worlds investigation
that thievery against farmers by produce
commission merchants is not exceptional
but common. 1t is not confined to this
city, but is general among the larger
cities of the country.
The larceny goes on through variety
of forms and touches all classes of perish
able products. 1t is effected by reporting
lace n fIa a.
representing the condition of the produce
on arrival, and otherwise. All along the
line the producer shipper holds the hot
end of the poker. His produce may be OF
the best and averaged with the worst to
make his market price. 1t may be dump
ed to rig a market which is mtsrepre-
scented to other producers. To prove fraud
he must follow his goods every step OF
the way and this he cannot afford to do.
Corrective legislation is proposed at AL
bany which would license produce com
mission merchants and put them under
bonds But this would not necessarily
close all these loopholes for fraud 1t
would still leave two sets of middlemen-
the wholesaler and retailer-between the
producer and consumer, to keep down
prices to the one and keep them up to the
other. $780,. -
and more develop their own city markets
and sell to consumers either directly or
through only one midd1enan. The smaller
nrod1Icers must follow their example
thro,,ef association in marketing agencies
This is being done by Florida and Pacific
fr1Iit-prrovers even for the distant New
work. market. All the more advantage
o11sIy can IL be done by the nearby pro-
Sucers of garden truck and other food
st1ffs THE state cannot help them half
so well as they help themselves IL
tbev will make the effort.-New York
World.