The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-10-28
AUSTIN-HE Is 1T!
CONTINUED from Page One,


Continued from Page One.l
Then the conversation turned to
Austin's recent trip to California
when hes pent a month during the
/ heated spell on the Pacific coast at
the states expense.
Did the text book commission adj
wise you to make the trip to Califor7
mia to investigate the book proposi-
ton there?' was asked.
NO. 1 didn't go for the commits
sion. 1 went for the state printing
plant said Austin.
Did the governor or any state OFF,
cial recommend that you go?"
NO" was the reply. II think l
talked to the governor about it, but
he didn't recommend the trip"
How much did it cost ?''
About $175."
Who Paid the Bills?
who paid the expenses?" z
Austin said they were paid from the
state printing plant fund, under pro-
visions of item 3, on page % of the
sessions laws of 1913, providing IN
cidental repairs, travelling expenses,
premiums on surety bond, contingent
expenses and ink, $1,000, 1914; $1,000,
1915"
IT felt that would have to make
a few trips to learn about the work as
it is handled in other places" said
Austin, land went before the ways and
means committee of the legislature
and that item was put in the appro-
priation BILL
Sent His Employees on Vacation Trips
What other trips have been
made 20" was asked.
Il sent my foreman of the press
room and foreman of the bindery to
Chicago to investigate equipment of
plants there" was the reply.
Consult with any of the members
of the commission or governor about
it?'
NO"
How much did those trips cost?"
Austin consulted memorandum.
"Seventy-one dollars and eight-five
cents" replied the state printer.
And He Will Go Again.
That isn't ALL Austin is just now
preparing to leave in a few days for
Chicago and Cincinnati, where he will
make further investigation" of print
ing plants and equipment. But not
one member of the commission is being
consulted in reference to the matter.
After Austin has gathered all the in
formation he considers of value, he
will lay it before the textbook COM
mission. Bids and plans and specifica-
tons for the SIS, 900 worth of new equip
ment for the plant are now in Aus
tins hands. He is gathering all of this
information and generously paying for it
out of the funds of the state printing
plant. AS for letting the contract for
this work, the textbook commission can
go through the formality OF doing that.
Austin admits as much.
He Alone Saw the Machinery Men.
Recently representatives of press
manufacturing companies were here to
bid on the new equipment. Austin
talked with them, secured their figures
and the men went away.
Take them to see any of the other
members of the commission" was
asked.
NO." replied the modest Mr.. Austin.
what papers did you run before you
became state printer" was asked.
His Printing Experience.
Weekly papers at Cottonwood Falls
ana strong City, replied Austin.
isn't one of the members of the
commission a practical printer and
hook MANI" was asked.
Yes 1 think he is,'' said Austin.
Dld you ever go over any of this
him?"
NO.
Why did you shoulder all of the re-
81 Am State Printer
L am state printer. 1t Syas a mat
ter that 1 ought to look into. Possibly.
had consulted some of the others"
admitted Mr.. Austin with Just a pos
s1ble admission that he might have
been hasty.
You have bids on all of the new
equipment?"
Yes"
The Commission? Pooh!
Did the commission order you to
get them? ?"
No, L don't think they did,
Austin said, though, that he would file
hese bids with the commission at the
lext meeting-if he decides to call one
And that meeting-he thought-might be
,alled in two weeks.
In connection with his experience as
ountry publisher before becoming state
printer, Austin said that he had seven
ears experience a teacher-three
ears in the high schools and four years
n the graded schools.
Ever have any experience as school
'ook purchasing agent or in school book
was asked.
No replied Austin.
But when the text book commission
meets it will be asked to take the facts
nd figures which he furnishes in spend
~ $4,000 in the purchase of additional
liant facilities for printing school books
or the children of Kansas and for his
tile trips, and his employees little trips.
md the meeting which the text book COM
Mission holds at that time will probably
e of more than passing interest.