The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-03-14
LISTEN TO NO ONE
More Than $1,7OO,OO0 Appro-
priated in Slapstick Manner.
Only Five Minutes Allowed
Heads of State Departments.
PLEDGED PLANS TO SECRECY
Ways and Means Committeeman
Wouldn't Tell What Occurred.
Little Hearing and No Investi-
CATION of Conditions.
PLEDGED PLANS TO SECRECY

Members of the house ways and
means committee approved or reject
ed thousands of dollars in legislative
appropriation items without a hear
ing or an investigation, according to
charges today in state house circles.
Appropriations aggregatng $1,731, go
were approved by the house commit
tee with practically no opportunity for
a statement from the various depart
ments Each Of the big state depart
ments affected by the executive and
judicial budget was allowed ten min
uteS before the committee.
In spite of the fact that appropria-
tions by the 1917 legislature exceeded
the pork barrel appropriations of
1915 by a million and a half dollars.
thousands of dollars are alleged to
have spent without an investigation.
On the other hand many needed ap-
preparation items were rejected and
demands for funds for needed state
purposes were turned down without
a hearing.
Heads of one of our state depart
ment are today searching the appro-
priation records in an effort to learn
just what happened to their office.
When the head of this department ap-
preached members of the house ways
and means committee in an effort to
secure information as to appropr1a-
ton matters, he was advised that the
committee was ''sWorn to secrecy"
The mere fact that the inquirer was
state official and in charge OF the
states business did not seem to con-
Germ the committee members who
cIamped down-the lid and refused in
formation concerning various appro-
priatiOnS.
Arbitrary Actions.
81 have observed the work of state
LEGISLATURES for rs years and have been
a member of several sessions. said
one state official today. But l never
saw such arbitrary action by ways
and means committee as was displayed
by the house committee which orig
mated the appropriations for state
departments l was told that [ might
discuss all of the work and needs of
my department in ten minuteS-no
more The committee was busy, l
was told, and didn't want to waste
any time.
when my time was up, someone
mentioned to me that I had exceeded
the limit. After the hearing I went
to several members to inquire con-
corning our appropriations. I was
told the members were pledged to
secrecy. ] don't know who pledged
them. I never heard of such a course
in former legislative sessions. In for
mer years the ways and means com
mitteeS rather indicated a desire to
cooperate with the departments. But
the reform which seems to have
year staggers me. Right now I don't
know what the legislature set aside
for this department and 1 have made
a honest effort to learn"
Another department head was told
ne might talk five minutes He
barely began a discussion of the plans
for his department when time was
called.
Instead of receiving a hearing. I
was insulted and abused" the state
official told a state house friend. q
was told that the committee was too
busy to listen to men and that 1
should state my wants and let some
one else talk
The executive and judicial budget
was originated by the house ways and
means committee, altho the various
items were considered in joint SEES
sions just prior to introduction on the
floor. The appropriations for the
session exceeded II million dollars.
The executive and judicial appropria-
tons totaled $1,731,090. 1t is this
bill which carries appropriations for
all of the big state departments
governor, secretary of state, attorney
general, auditor, treasurer and the
various boards and commissions.