The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-01-13
ECONOMY TONE RINGS
TRUE IN HIS MESSAGE
econt,nued from Paco one,l


needs Of the people demand. am
sure every member OF both houses
fully appreciates this responsibility
hope 1 may be pardoned if in my zeai
to do my part, l remind you lno .'. -
ually that although you owe a DUTY "
the district which you represent, your
higher duty is to all the people OF
Kansas. The pressure of special IN
terests, the demands of special sec
lions Of the state, the needs OF 1rienusS;
all must be subordinated to the eoot
of the people as a whole. We are NJ.
here to legislate for any section. nor
for any political party, but Ior Ia
whole state. and log rolIins a
Swapping votes" and playing Pon-
tics" must have no place in our pIo-
gram. Nor should our time be frit-
tered away in unimportant iocal ioe
islation in which the great Dooy %
the people have no interest: h;I1s
be sure that our appropriation ..nrI
are free from the faint OF tne .Sont
barrel" 1 urge both houses 10 auvp'
the rule that no member OF the leeisla
ture from a district in which there Is q
state institution shall be mace q
member of the ways ana means coni
mittee. .-,c+;va
lerisIative program. The state Is nap
pijy free from bitter partisan str.le'
no one question of oversnaoo"ing III
portance divides US. We nave an "a.
ceptional opportunity OF slVins " ,,s
problems which shall come pe1ore U.s.
the unbiased and nOn-partlsan oeno
Grafton which should preceoe az i .,
isIation. of studying the neeoS VI lnS
state; Of investigating the evns an. ~
abuses of our political system u
weighing the new demands OF new
age: of giving the people Of Kansas
o,1r most honest and conscientious anu
efficient service: ..,+ IF
This does not imply the enactment u
a great number of laws 1t Is recos-
Dized that the tendency OF our DAY Is
toward too much legislation-too many
iIl-advised, useless. contradictory anu
ambiguous laws, inevitably the pIeeu
ers of misunderstanding, strlie anu ~.
iration. Your effort should be 10 siIn-
plfy existing laws and to MAKE eve YET
new enactment so simple that the most
humble citizen may understand ana H.
spect it, so plain and explicit that tho
most powerful cannot evaoe IT,
Economy Through Efficiency.
Kansas. in common with the otner
states has experienced in the last
decade an increase in the cost OF gov
eminent and the burdens of taxation
far beyond the increase of population.
In twelve wears public expenditures
have Increased 68 per cent IN the
state: IT per cent in the county; 1913
per cent in the city; 119 per cent IN
the township; 1872 per cent Tor scnoois.
While most Of this increase mas peeh
for local purposes (the state taxes
being only $3,s71's9S OUT OF .o.ai
of s29.4S3,SS3 for the last tax year,.
the state should set an example OF
economy. 1t should keep down ap-
preparations to the very limit CONSIST
emit with imperative demands. This Is
simply exercising the prudence that
business men generally are practfcfng
at this time. The increase In state
ic dino ne rf1xy tn the
Iarged functions of government, made
necessary by new industrial condi-
tions; by the esta blishings of new and
needed state institutions; and by the
increased cost of the necessities OF rife
in the markets of the world. But
belief is growing in Kansas. as else
where, that the business methods of
the state and county governments
have not kept step with the best
methods of the day; that they are
neither the most efficient nor the most
economical. Kansas must rearrange
and readjust its entire system Of ad-
ministration on a more scientific
must be eliminated. responsibility be
concentrated and different depart
ments be co-ordinated. To do this, in
my opinion. cannot fail to increase eff
cheney and to diminish cost-to give
the people much better service for less
money.
In recent years the state has de-
voted much energy to regulating prf-
vate or semi-public business, with
beneficial results. 1t should now re-
organize and regulate its own bust
ness.
An AIl-State Efficiency and Economy
Committee.
I recommend and urge upon the
legislature that it appoint Immediate
Ivy. Int ~AH =
economy. After a thorough analysis
of the present organization Of the
state, county and township govern
ments in Kansas, a study Of what
other substantially Minnesota and
Iowa-are doing to increase and con-
centrate the responsibility to the peo-
PIE more direct and to produce great
er unity of action among the differ
ent departments of government,
hope this committee will present for
the consideration of the legislature at
this session. a plan of reorganization
which shall abolish needless offices.
boards and commissions, concentrates
and center responsibilities, eliminate
duplication of authority and reduce
the public business to a compact and
smoothly-working unit. This legisla-
ture has many members with wide
experience in public affairs. am con-
WINGED they can devise a plan in keep
ing with modern business systems.
which ultimately will not only save
money for the taxpayers of the state.
but will greatly increase and strength
en- the efficiency of our government.
bring men of highest grade and great
est ability into the public service and
relieve the public of the annoyance
expense and delay of unnecessary red
tape.
The committee should have the power