The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-10-13
ON CITY Welfare
Kansas Municipality League
Meets in Hutchinson.
Better Legislation for Cities
Discussed Today.
Mayor GREEN In ADDRESS
k.C.EXecutive Advocates Home
Rule and City Managers.
Mckeever Speaks on Need of
Social Betterment.
mayer GREEN IN ADDRESS

Hutchinson, Kau.. Oct. 13.-Com-
mission government, the Initiative,
referendum and recall, the city man
ager plan, municipal ownership of
public utilities corporations and 9TH
or phases of popular government and
public welfare are topics for consid-
GRAFTON at the annual meeting OF the
League of Kansas municipalities,
which began a 3-day session here to-
day.
The league numbers as members
116 towns and cities in Kansas and
the majority of these were represent
ed here today by one or more Off
ciais
Following an address of welcome
by F. w. Cook, mayor of Hutchinson,
and a response and an address by C.
w. Green, mayor of Kansas City,
Kan, and president of the league, r.
j. Higgins, city attorney of Kansas
City, Kan, and secretary of the
leagues legislative committee, spoke
Mr.. Higgins outlined the program OF
legislation which members of the
league will advocate at the next ses-
sion of the state legislature.
Social betterment is a necessary part
of municipal government, Prof Will.
liam A. McKeeHer, head of the de-
partment of child welfare of the Uni
Versity of Kansas, pointed out He
asserted the social improvement IS a
commercial asset to any community
and described the child welfare move
Nersity.
The topic for tonight is Ventures in
Self Government" JuGson King of
Washington. D. C. executive secretary
of the National Popular Government
league, beirg scheduled to speak on
the growth and operation Of local self
government and the initiative. refer
en0um and recall
Mayor Green's Speech.
The League of Kansas Municipal
h
served as a clearing house for ideas
and plans for the Improvement of the
material and social conditions Of the
cities of Kansas said c. w. Green,
mayor of Kansas City, KAN, address
ing the league, of which he is presi-
dent.
.'This organization has stood for an
amendment to the state constitution
that will provide for local self gov
eminent, or home rule We should
continue this movement until the leg
islature has submitted to the people
of Kansas, for their approval, an
amendment for this purpose.
should Maintain Committee. -
1.-The experience of the officers and
legislative committee of this league,
at the last session of the legislature,
has proven that we should provide a
fund sufficient to pay the expenses of
a committee to attend the sessions of
the legislature and look after the bills
that have been recommended for
passage by the cities.
This expense would not be neces-
sary if the cities had the. power to
make their own charter
Municipal ownership of public
utilities has been a success in the
cities of Kansas, and we desire legis-
Iation. that will promote municipal
ownership.
Favors City Manager Plan.
Pending the adoption of a home
rule amendment. L believe that the
legislature should permit the cities of
Kansas to adopt the city manager plan
of government for it seems to me that
the cities can have more efficient gov
eminent when managed by men who
have made a study of municipal af-
fairs Under our present plan we
elect men to manage our city govern
rnent who have no special knowledge
of city management, and after they
have acquired their information, at
the expense of the taxpayers of their
city, they are succeeded by some other
good fellows who also have to be
educated at the public expense. 1t
seems to me that it would be economy
for the cities to employ experts in
Tl1upiciDal affairs