The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-02
DAY OF PASSING
ON" PARTIES FOR
BOURBONS here
Many Democrats Step Aside
From State Pie Counter.
Republicans Replace HOldOvers
at State House Today.
SHORTAGE OF OFFICE ROOMS
State Highway Commission Is
Seeking Place Under Dome.
Two New Department Heads
Have Gone Into Office.
Republicans Replace HOldOvers
at State House Today.
SHORTAGE OF OFFICE ROOMS
State Highway Commission Is
Seeking Place Under Dome.
NEW STATE OFFICIALS.

NEW STATE OEFiCIA14S. .
Bank Commissioner-Walter L. Wilson.
Assistant Bank Commissioner-~L A.
Johnson, Sharon Springs.
Oil lnspector-Ben s. Paulen, Fredonia.
Members State Highway Commission
r. II. Moses, Great Bend; II. 5. Tiernan,
Secretary Board of Control-wylie w.
Cook, Kansas City.
Live Stock Commissioner-J. II. Mercer,
Member Welfare Commission-Mrs. A. C.
Mitchell, Lawrence.
This is moving day in several state
departments. Effects of April 1 pass
ing on parties were felt today in the
offices of the state bank commissioner,
oil inspector. the state board of con-
troll. In the office of the state live
stock sanitary commissioner. j. H.
Mercer succeeded himself The new
state highway commission came into
existence today and is now looking for
a place to hang its hat and coat and
locate a desk under the dome of the
state house.
In all of the three departments
where changes were made today.
Democrats who came to Topeka on the
wave of Bourbon success of 1912. step
ped aside to give places to Republicans
who reclaimed the state in 1915. Two
new department heads took office Tor
four year terms-Senator Walter f.
Wilson of Washington, as state bank
commissioner and Senator Ben S.
Paulen of Fredonia, as state oil in
spector. Senator Wilson succeeded
w. F. Benson of Eldorado. former
state senator and an appointee of Gov
ernor Hodges, following the resigna-
ton of Charles NJ. Sawyer of Norton.
as bank commissioner Senator Paul
en- steps into the office filled by Frank
Cumiskey of Pittsburg, since Cumiskey
was appointed in 1913, to succeed Joe
Longshore.
L, A johnson, a well known Sharon
Springs banker. and member of the
house of representatives during the
1851 sessions, succeeds ]. G. Foulks
of Eldorado. as assistant bank COM
missioner. Detailed appointments to
subordinate places in the office have
not been announced by Senator VIII
son. Detailed changes in the office of
the state oil inspector will be worked
out in a few days by Senator Paulen-
On the shoulders of Senator Pauien
will fall the responsibility for en-
forcement of the provisions of the new
oil inspection act. He has conferred
with s. NJ. Brewster. attorney general.
concerning the provisions of the new
law and the department will today be-
gin new inspection methods. lnciden-
tally the new three-cent inspection
rate becomes effective today.
Looking for Offices.
While shifts are being made in the
various departments. the state house
custodian will look for offices for the
new state highway commission. Ihe
commission was created last winter
and is regarded as one of the most inn
portant acts of the legislative session.
Governor Capper recently appointed E.
r. Moses of Great Bend and r. s. Tier
nan of Fort Scott as members of board.
The governor is ex-officio chairman
of the board and will meet with the
new members Tuesday when they for
mally organize and outline their work.
A state highway engine will probably
be elected at a very early date. The
commission will have supervision over
road and bridge building thruout the
state and must approve plans for all
bridges and culverts constructed at a
cost of more than $500.
In the office of the board of con-
troll Wylie w. Cook of Kansas City,
succeeds J. w. Howe of Abilene, as
secretary. The board will cease bust
ness July 1 when the new state board
of administration is born. Cook was
assistant under Earl Akers during his
administration as state treasurer. was
a candidate for the Republican nomi-
nation in 1915 and during the recent
legislative session was chief clerk to
Speaker Keene. Howe was state SEN
ator from the Dickinson-Clay county
district during the 1895 legislative
sessions. M