The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-30
IN EXTRA SESSION
Kansas Faces Need of Legisla-
tive Call, Member Believes.
Feeling in State FavOring 1t,
Says Rep. Chittenden.
CARE OF STATE INSTITUTIONS
Emergency Exists for ReOr-
ganization of Management.
Necessity, Also, for Activity
Toward Home Guard Work.
CARE OF STATE INSTITUTIONS

Kansas is facing a situation which
may call for an extra session or the
state legislature, according to John
Chittenden, representative from Ellis
county. Chittenden, who is a Repub-
lican and was an administration mem
Der during the last two sessions, be-
lieves an emergency exists for the
proper care of state institutions. he
favors a reorganization OF the meth
DDS of management of state inst1tu-
tions and believes a special session
may be necessary.
Chittenden is a farmer. But he be-
lieves the state should give proper
care and attention to state lnSutu-
tons. Conditions at this time are far
different from conditions which eX-
listed when the legislature was in SEES
sion last winter. Increased expenses
in all institutions, together with state
defense emergencies have resulted IN
presenting a condition which may be-
come very serious before the end of
tn winter. The Hays state normal is
located in Chittenden's home county
and he is probably more familiar with
institutional needs than the average
farmer member of the Legislature.
'I have talked with a number OF
members in the western sections of
the state and there is growing feel
ing that a special session may not
only be a good thing, but could ac-
complish some very important things,
said Chittenden. From such in
formation as / can gather. there is
not an institution in the state that is
not having trouble in keeping its
doors open with present appropria-
tions. Some of the schools and big
state charitable Institutions are hard
hit and may be unable to get thru the
year without heavy deficits or mater
tally lessening their efficiency.
State Defense Needs.
state defense matters are another
matter that are of grave concern.
Many of the counties have organized
home guard units and 1 understand
there is no money available with
which to provide equipment or so
much as carry on. organization work.
valuable to Kansas before long and
the state should certainly provide
some method of caring for the work
without showing the entire burden on
the local communities. I don't know
what will be done but if conditions
are as understand them, believe a
special session would accomplish real
results"
Since early last spring there has
been considerable discussion of a spe-
cial session of the legislature. Funds
of all state institutions are running
behind legislative estimates of needs.
Fees are being cut out as a result of
the war situation and high living ex-
penses have boosted maintenance ex-
penses. As a result of the present
situation, there are few institutions in
the state which will be able to close
the fiscal year without overdraWing
their appropriations. And unless a
special session of the legislature pro-
vides relief, men and firms handling
the states business will be compelled
to wait until the 1919 legislative ses-
sion for their money. AS a result of
this situation many large corporations
recently refused to bid for state bust
ness, preferring to keep goods on their
shelves rather than sell them to insti-
tutlons which may be unable to pay
when bills are due