The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-11-22
HIGH COST OF POOR
Rate Was SIS a Person in 1915
Against $50 in 1915.
More Than Half Million for
Years Charitable Work.

Care of the poor in Kansas coun-
ties during the fiscal year ending
June 80 cost $565,2O1.13, from which
fund S,621 persons received benefits.
High cost of living meant a heavy in
crease of expense to the counties, the
| report showing that while the total
expenditures were $29, 290.20 less than
in 1915, the counties cared for ABB
more people in 1915 than in 1916.
The per capita cost for care of Kan
| sas poor was this year $5s as against
an individual cost of slightly more
than $50 in 1915
The report is based on information
gathered and compiled by J. w. Howe,
secretary of the state board of control.
Information received by Howe indi-
Gates that Kansas counties have not
responded to demands for relief under
the mothers pension bill. Sixty per
cent of the pension applications were
denied. Less than one-tenth of the
money spent during the year went for
relief under the new pension law. 80
Hit Hard by I'll. C. l..
Tremendous increases in the cost
of food stuffs have hit Kansas coun-
ties hard, Howe reports. His record
shows that in the fiscal year ending
June 80, 1915, the counties cared for
1898 persons at an expense of 1854,
4S1.33, or at per capita cost of
slightly more than $50. This year, with
the steady increase in the price of
all food stuffs, clothing and supplies,
the expense for the care of 1921 per-
sons totaled $685., 201.13.
Last year the various counties
granted PAT mothers pensions. This
year the number was increased to 35S.
A total of 948 applications were filed
in various counties during the year.
Less than 40 per cent of the applica-
tions were approved
In Shawnee county, the commits
SionerS refused to come under proVi-
sions of the new law. A total of forty
six applications were filed. None of
the applications was approved. 1t is
because of conditions in Shawnee and
other counties that various organiza-
lions will this winter seek to amend
the present law by making it manda-
tory.
Altho it did not come under provi-
sions of the mothers pension law,
Shawnee county was second in total
expenditures for the care of the poor.
Sedgwick county led the state, with
Wyandotte-the most popu1ous coun-
ty in the state-third. Sedgwick coun-
ty spent S52,83S.23 during the year
and Shawnee county spent s25, 854.09.
Wyandotte county's expense for care
of the poor was $19,879.30. Mont
gomery county spent SIS, 500: Leaven-
worth, $13,243.56; Saline, $11,9215O,
Mcpherson, $10,081; Wilson, $10,050.
All other counties reported expenses
below the $4,000 mark for the year
Wyandotte county led the state in
the number of pensions granted 1t
reported ninety-four, as against thirty
six in Cherokee, the second high coun-
ty. Washington county granted TWEEN
ty pensions; Butler, 20; johnson, Is:
Pawnee, IL; Barton. 10. The expense
of the various counties for observance
of the new pension law is S45,280, OF
$3,940 a month.
Kansas counties during the last fis-
cal year spent s426,905 from gem
eral funds for the care of the poor.
while expense for operation of county
farms was S134.2O112