The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-02-19
That Is Attitude House Takes
on Mcdowell Measure.
Game Should Be as Open as
Golf, Tennis or CrOquet.
Is BILLS ARE PASSED TODAY
$4,000 May Be Appropriated for
Methodist Missionary Bldg.
Three Road Measures Up Tor
Discussion This Afternoon.

State employees can play politics to
their hearts content. The Kansas
house. thru its committees, has refus-
ed to put the ban on political acllF-
tiles In a report today the McDou-
gall bill was recommended adversely
Recently McDougall OF sumner
county. Offered bill which prohibited
political activities by persons employ
ed in state Institutions. But the
house did not favor the plan. COM
mittee decided that state employees
should be allowed to play politics just
as they play golf, lawn tennis or GRO
quet.
For years Kansas politicians have
raved about political activities of per
sons on the state pay roll. In right
eous Indignation the legislature OF
1918 enacted the civil service law.
But a number of people who are more
or less valuable in political cam
s4,aign found a place on the state pay
roll REGARDLESS OF the civil service
and the long speeches about the aooli-
tfon of politics, the state institutions
mixed in the game as of old. Then
McDougan decided to put crimp in
the men who took a stack of chips in
a political game.
The McDougau plan called for sus-
pension Of persons who became polltl-
cally active. Persons guilty of play
ing politics while on the state pay
roll were also subject to the loss of
their Job under the McDOugaH bill.
But the committee members couldn'
see the merits of the McDougall plan
and the bill came back to the house
with recommendation that the bill be
not passed" All of which means that
the persons in the state schools, penal
and charitable institutions can enjoy
the next campaign without fear of
suspension or loss of q state job.
Pass - Bills.
The house today passed % of the
- bills on third reading. Two of the
measures on the calendar under the
heading of third reading failed to re-
Ceive the constitutional majority and
We're lost House members killed the
Gilman bill providing for an eight
hour day for employees in state penal
institutions. \ bill by Taylor OF
Wabaunsee. providing that townships
shall furnish corporate bonds for pay
ment Of premiums by the county. also
failed to receive the necessary 63
house votes and was defeated. The
house spent the entire morning on
bulk roll calls and 25 of the 27 third
reading bills We're passed. Six of the
% bills which passed the house. orig
mated in the senate and brought the
total number of new laws for the ses-
sion to 50.
$1,000 for Il Church.
Kansas will dig up $4,000 for the
purchase of the Methodist missionary
building and grounds at Council
Grove if the legislature passes a bill
introduced in the house by the his
turical society committee The Meth
odist mission is located on the old
Santa Fe trail at Council Grove. I'm
der the plan as outlined by the COM
lnittee, the building would house In
dian war relics and would be the
property and under supervision of the
state.
Road Bills Arc Up.
Under a special order the house this
afternoon took up consideration OF
three highway committee bills. The
bills are listed on the calendar az
House Bills Nos. 655. ia and us and
relate to road and highway building
and the registration of AUTOMOBILES
and motor vehicles.