The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-08-18
Deficits in State Institutions a
Hard Blow to Kansas.
High Cost of Living Has De-
pleted Department Funds.
THEY'RE RETRENGHING NOW
Shortages at End of Year Will
Be Large Enough.
Wholesalers and Contractors
May Garry Old Accounts.

Credit of the state is seriously
threatened as a result Ct deficits at
state institutions. The fact that the
high cost of living has depleted the
funds of state institutions and depart
Tueuts has resulted in the refusal OF
wholesalers and contractors to bid for
state business They fear they will be
compelled to carry the account until
1919 and 20 before the state iegisla-
ture with request for payment OF the
account on the other hand state Of
ficiaIs have been slow TO assume per-
sonal responsibility Of the states obli-
cations.
Conditions existing at this time are
matters of grave concern in several
state institutions Practically every
institution is making retrenchments
and faces deficits and shorta ges dur
ing the fiscal year. At the state peni-
Tertiary a deficit Of $4,000 exists
Men who furnished materials for new
buildings at the Emporia and Hays
State Normal schools have found that
the funds for these buildings have
been exhausted and that deficiency
appropriations must be sought at the
hands of the next legislature. Because
of the present situation a number of
large contractors and wholesale houses
have refused to compete for state
business. Contracts for three months
supplies Will be let next month And
now the state board of administration
Is confronted with the problem Of in
ducinS bidders to attend the letting.
Knapp Was Late.
Recently Fred w Knapp. s-ate
auditor, wrote to Governor Capper
urging him tos enforce strict economy
in state affairs and thus avoid a spe-
cial legislative session But strict
economy was being pra cticed at STATE
institutions long before the state audi
tor took chips in the game. When the
potato market broke altitude records.
a number of state Institutions Quit
eating potatoes. Meat rations have
been reduced. canned goods are served
sparIngly and economy has become
a science in such institutions as To-
peka and OsawatOmie state hospital I
At Topeka hospital the per CAPITA
expense for meals is IL cents in spite
Of the high cost of living. Few fam
iles have been able to equal the rec
ord regardless of any efforts which
might be made with high ideals of
off ciency and economy Yet reduc- /
tion of another penny in the cost |
would doubtless mean added hard |
ships for inmates of the institutions.
Who'll shoulder Burden.
Just at this time there is a belief |
in state house circles that some one |
must shoulder the burden for existing |
conditions. The recent legislature |
broke appropriation records Yet it /
did not provide sufficient matnte- |
nance funds to meet actual demands |
and needs during the war crisis. For |
years the institutions have been prac
ticing system of strict economy. But
appropriations were based on prices in
existence years ago and with the in
cre1 Sc in institution population. con-
ditions have become more serious.
Vow the institutions are facing the
moss serious problem the state has
known
Inmates of state institutions must
be cared for. Yet the appropriations
based on estimates are far below pre-
vailing prices. Employees must be
provided Yet the wage scale in state
Institutions is far below that of other
states or for employment by private
corporations. The state must buy
groceries. clothing coal, supplies and
equipment. Yet in the case of sew
eral institutions il is known that funds
are wholly inadequate for needs. The
state tax levy is made and every dol
lar to be raise is already provided
for.
Banks Would Aid.
Banks would provide funds for the
state needs. But under the banking
laws. some one must insure the pay
ment of the money to the banks.
Members of the board of administra-
ton and Governor Capper might sign
the notes and relieve the situation.
Yet these men are hesitating to take
such action. There is nothing binding
on the next legislature to pay and
there are cases on record where the
legislature forgot or absolutely re-
fused to pay. (See Topeka paving
claim and claims where cities and
individuals advanced funds for state
imDrovemeuts1
1t is probable that $500. 900 to $500
600 may be necessary to meet de-
mands of state institutions without
Gripping their efficiency during the
present fiscal year. That money is
in addition to the amounts already
appropriated by the state legislature
Facts concerning the various state in
stitutions and departments are care
fully gathered by the big contractors
and wholesale houses before bidding
for state business And as a result