The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-04-26
Government Report Shows
Kansas Gains From 1902-13.
Per Capita Indebtedness Grows
1923 Over 1902.
NET DEBT is S52,624,73
Kansas City, Topeka and Wieh-
ita Lead With $50 Per Cent.
OF Total Indebtedness of the
Entire State.

Washington, April 26.-The United
States bureau of census has just Is
sued a report for 1913 on the wealth,
debt and taxation of the state of Kan
sas. The net debt reported on March
1 of that year represents an increase
of s17.4S2,237. or 49.7 per cent, over
the amount reported in 1902. The per
capita debt of the Sunflower state in
1918 was s3122, an increase of 1923,
over that of 1902.
The report says:
The civil divisions of Kansas re-
ported an indebtedness less sinking
fund assets amounting to $50, 624s731
in 1913 The counties of the state re-
ported $9,777,030, or 1876 per cent or
net debt; the cities (there are no in
corporated towns or villages in the
state) reported $39, 543, 1903, or ISL
per cent; and the school districts re-
ported s33O4398, or 6.3 per cent. The
net debt reported in 1913 represents
an increase of $17, 4S2,237, or 49.7 per
cent, over the amount reported IN
1902. The per capita debt in 19l 3
was S31.22, an increase or SI-Z5' or
30 per cent, over that in 1902.
THE counties of the state as sepa-
rate units reported a total indebted
ness of $10,230,26S in 1913. OF this
amount $9,465,5 34, or 92.5 per cent,
represented funded or fixed debt
chiefly in the form of general bonds;
S64S,S9S, or 6.3 per cent, revenue
loans; and Sis, S36, or IL per cent,
outstanding warrants. 1t will be noted
that no Indebtedness to be paid from
special assessment was reported by the
counties. The net debt reported by
these divisions was $9,777 $50 in 1913,
this amount being decrease OF So
122,S26, or PAP per cent, from 1902 to
1913.
THE cities of the state bear the
greatest burden of debt. The incor-
porated places reported total debt
Of
which SGT, 51S, !292, or To-. per cent.
represented funded or fixed debt; So
2SS,146, or 24.6 per cent, special as
sessment loans; $572,753, or is per
cent, revenue loans; and ,023, or
IL per cent, outstanding warrants.
Offsetting this total debt, the incor-
porated places held sinking funds
amounting to $1,074, 491, or 2.S per
cent of the total debt. The net debt
reported in 1913 was s36,729,723, an
increase of S23,144,S19, or 1904 per
cent, over the amount reported in
1902. The per capita debt was $45.S5
in 1913.
The three largest cities in the state
Kansas City, Topeka and wichita
reported a total debt of $14, Sill 35, or
3S5 per cent of the total debt of all
Incorporated places. The greatest in
crease in net debt was reported by
Wichita, and the greatest percentage
of increase in this group is shown for
the same city.
According to the census of 1910
there were 419 Incorporated cities in
Kansas having a population of less
than 1880. Reports were secured
from each of these places by CORES
pondence, and of the total number,
219 reported a net debt aggregating
$5,66O,79S, an increase of 1882, 500,
or 143.1 per cent, over the amount re-
ported in 1902.
Considering all divisions in the
state, except school districts, as a sin
gle unit, the gross debt amounted to
51,2S7, $50, of which $40, LAG, 799, or
1873 per cent, represented funded
or fixed debt; S9,2SS,146, or 1871 per
cent, special assessment loans; ST.
274,43S, or rs per cent, revenue
loans; and $57s,207, or IL per cent,
outstanding warrants. AS an offset
to this debt all divisions held sinking
funds amounting to $1,967,257, or 3.8
per cent of the total debt leaving a
net debt of $50, 624.731, including the
debt of independent school districts,
$3,3e4,3 9S, which is assumed to be
raaff