Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1917-01-20

tendent and of county superintendent be
entirely removed from politics and be
made appointive instead of elective
favor county tax for rural schools in
stead of ; district tax, that all the
schools of the county may be a par
as to equipment and efficiency
State Publication of Text Books
The state publication of text books for
use in the public schools has proved a
success in Kansas and should be encour-
aged and supported in every possible way
While have not proceeded in this un-
dertaking with speed-perferring to
demonstrate the feasibility of it we
went along-the state text book commits
sion has already effected a great saving
to the people This year one million books
are being published at a saving of $780,
O0O- The commission has demonstrated
its ability to produce text books of high
standard for less than they can be pur-
chased elsewhere. and means should be
provided as rapidly possible to enable
the commission to produce all the text
books used in the public schools.
recommend that you enact a law pro-
viding for free text books in all the pub
lie schools. adopting plan similar to
that in Nebraska, the books to be the
property of the district
Better Roads.
am strongly opposed to more commits
ton OF the federal appropriation for good
roads. under the Shackelford act 1t
seems necessary that the legislature
create a state highway commission or
supervision of a system of state high
ways This can be an honorary commits
sion or can be composed in whole or in
part of existing state officers
1 recommend that prison camps be
tablished wherever the highway commits
sion can obtain the cooperation of coun-
ty authorities and that prisoners now
confined in county jails. may be worked
upon county roads. Hundreds of prison
ers are now committed to county and city
jails for minor offenses- Their confine-
ment in idleness is an economic waste.
Worse than that. it is demoralizing to
character and detrimental to health
These men should be put to work. and
the greater part of the year could be
utilized in making the improvements now
SO badly needed upon Kansas highways.
To strengthen further prohibitory
law. ask for law empowering the gov
ernor TO suspend from office, upon evil
dence. any county attorney. mayor, police
official other officer charged with law
enforcement, who fails to perform his
duty in compliance with his oath of Of
fee.
1 also ask that In cases of infraction of
the prohibitory laws, city attorneys be
given inquisitoriaI powers the county
attorney and attorney general of the
state now have
I further recommend that Kansas news
papers and periodicals be prohibited from
publishing liquor advertisements and the
advertisements of liquor dealers and
manufacturers, and that the sale and the
display for sale by newsdealers and others
tiSementS. be likewise prohibited.
The High Cost of Living.
The increasing cost of living has be-
come an almost unbearable burden upon
the people 1t would be well for this
legislature to investigate the meat pack
ers' trust. the creamery and cold storage
business, and all trade conditions in Kan
sas which give rise to suspicion of COM
binations manipulation There is gem
eraI recognition by all economist of the
abnormal difference between the prices
received by producers and the price paid
by the ultimate consumer, the result of
which is small profits for the farmer and
exorbitant prices for the people. As a
remedy for this evil. better organization
and better methods of marketing are ur-
gently needed Kansas should encourage
by the necessary laws, the forming of
farmer cooperative marketing societies.
The state department of agriculture
should be empowered to undertake and
promote this important work.
Industrial DEVELOPMENT
The manufactured products of Kansas
last year equaled in value the products
of our farms. exclusive of live stock But
they are confined to a few restricted lines.
and the state presents the anomaly of
shipping hundreds of carloads of its raw
materials. hundreds of miles to be con-
verified into finished products and shipped
back to us at greatly enhanced prices.
Kansas must develop industrially; we
need home markets; we need the growth
and expansion which come with thriving
little towns and cities in which men and
women are employed the year round /
recommend that the functions of the state
department of labor and industry be en-
larged to embrace activities promoting
1.-THE industrial development of the state;
including the gathering of industrial sta
/ tisticS and other information which will
enable manufacturers to appreciate the
advantages of Kansas a manufacturing
field.
State Oil Department.
The oil and gas industry is developing
ra pidIy in Kansas. The state oil depart
ment should be made of real use in its
encouragement and aid 1t should bear
! the same relation to the industry in its
I charge that the department of agriculture
bears to agriculture or the banking de-
partment to the business of banking II
should compile statistics and obtain COM
plete information concerning the industry
/ in Kansas and its possibilities of further
/ development The department should be
empowered to conserve the states supply
/ wastes that now characterize the indus
kerosene and gasoline and a standard OF
measurement for natural gas The ex-
pense of maintaining the department
] should be borne by the industries affect
/ ed A new law providing for reasonable
| inspection fees will be necessary
[ Flood Prevention.
Following the devastating floods OF
| two years ago. when property valued al
| millions of dollars was destroyed in Kan
( sas. called a conference OF public Off
| Gals representatives, Of big business in
| terests and other interested citizens, al
| which ways and means for flood proven