The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-02-27
CATTLE before
HUMAN BEINGS

lcontinus0 nom paOs One.l
the foot and mouth disease was dis
covered in Cowley county. Governor
Capper sent . special message to the
| legislature. Immediately the 1egisla-
ture appropriated $4,000 from the
| general revenue fund OF the state.
Immediately 1t amended the state law
to permit the state to bear one-half OF
the expense of all animals killed and
taking the burden off the shoulders Of
the several counties. 1t was q most
laudable bit OF legislation and the
state applauded the prompt action Of
the law makers.
Held Up on Norton.
But all this time the appropriation
for Norton's tuberculosis sanitarium
means committee of the house. There
was no special message from the gov
ernor concerning the need OF organi-
zation to fight an epidemic that
threatened thousands of residents Of
the state.
Finally the senate passed an appro-
priation bill giving to Norton the
money it requested for opening its in
stitution and meeting emergency ex-
penses. In due course OF time, q bill
for the Norton institution was report
ed from the house ways and means
items it was made a special order OF
business. The house cut $3.50 from
the senate's appropriation.
efficiency and Economy"
It was explained on the floor that
the campaign Of efficiency and econ
omy demanded a retrenchment. Ger
tainly this was an excellent place to
retrench So the house allowed $780,
000-.waiting about forty days to do
it--and sent the bill to conference.
Conferees were appointed and in their
own good time they took up the ap-
preparation bill.
Within the last 48 hours, the legis-
that increases the house bill about 3d.
700 and reduces the senate approprt-
alton about $4,000. The money will
probably be available some time next
the governor and duly published.
After making an appropriation OF
$4,000 for the foot and mouth dis
ease campaign. new cases were dis
covered. There was another nasty
conference. The governor was appeal
ed to. He sent another message to the
legislature. In less than 4S hours aft
er that bill was read, the legislature
appropriated $4,000 for relief-$5O,-
600 cash, $25O,OOO in state bonds.
Again the state applauded the legis-
Iature for it's prompt action in fight
ing a dread disease.
Patients Are Anxious.
Next month. maybe, the Norton
tuberculosis sanitarium will be open
ed. There are several hundred pa
tents anxious to secure admission to
the institution.
ut is a sad thing to think that more
than one hundred people have died
| in Kansas while our emergency 'ap-
preparation has been going through
the legislature" was the comment Of
DR.. c. s. Kenney. superintendent Of
| the sanitarium.
RtIf the Norton fnherC111nSiQ QanifQ-
rum is merely one of the several state
charitable institutions. 1t must take
it's chance with the legislature in the
effort to whittle a few thor sand dol
lars from appropriations and prevent.
| If possible, an increase in the tax levy.
| e Suffering in State. 80
| .Still-and medical experts bear out
the statement-there are 5000 peO-
pie in Kansas who are suffering from
the great white plague. Three peo-
pie die in Kansas each day from this
disease. Medical men have demon
strated that for every uncared case
OF tuberculosis, from four to eight
people become infected. That means
that from among the 5000 cases in
the state at this time. the disease may
be communicated to from 10000 to
10000 men and women. And yet to
secure a $4,000 emergency appropri-
alton for an institution that is fight
ing this disease, required more than 40
days, while an appropriation of $780,
900 for fighting the foot and mouth
disease was rushed through the legis-
| 1ature in less than 48 hours