The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-01-27
EXPECT A BOOST IN TAXES
PubIis Institutions as Well as IndiVid-
uas Hit by High Cost of LiV-
ing in Kansas.

TOpeka.-Ih0 people OF Kansas can
figure right now on 100000 increase
in state taxes during the next two
years. 1t is coming just as sure as the
sun rises. There is no way out of it.
The increase could be 100000 and
still all requirements would not be
satisfied.
The high cost of living hits the state
as well as the individual. 1t will take
500, 900 more to feed all the state
wards than it did in normal times.
The clothing bill will be another $780,
900 more. The coal bill will increase
almost that amount. Then comes the
hike in salaries, necessitated by the
increased cost of existence. The rest
of the increase will be taken up in
new buildings and improvements, abb
solutely required by different institu-
lions.
Nearly every institution in the state,
educational, charitable and penal,
wants extensive improvements. The
university wants $25O,O00; the Pitts
burg normal wants 100000; the Agri-
cultural college, SIS, 900; Hays Normal,
$4,000; the various insane hospitals
dDOut GOOU5OUO anu TIC pI1SOn anu IT.
.formatory another $4,000. Many of
these buildings must be authorized,
else the state viii drop behind in it's
educational standing and fall short of
taking proper care of its wards.
The total taxes raised in Kansas
now aggregate about $35,0O0,000 a
year. One-tenth of this amount, or
$3,5OO,OOO, is state tax The rest is
school, county and municipal. The
state tax is $1.30 per $1,000.
r r r
Nepotism Bill Is Defeated.
Representative Carson's nepotism bill
fell by the wayside in the house 1t
prohibited a state OF county officer
from employing any relative down to
the fourth cousin.
+ + +
Demands Notice of Taxes.
The first bill introduced in the house
at this session was by A L. Wilmoth
| of Cloud county and required county
| treasurers to send notices of taxes due
to all property owners.
r r -
Workmen's Compensation Law.
When the legislature begins to tink-
er with the workmen's compensation
act, as it is sure to do, it will open
up vein of trouble that will last
| through the session. There is a wide
difference of opinion between employ
ers and employees as to how the law
should be amended.
Compulsory Voting Bill.
Another effort is to be made to COM
| pei voters to go to the polls on primary
and election day in Kansas. Samuel
Clasen, representative firm the Rose
dale district, will soon introduce a
bill with this end in view.
r + r
Court to Rule on Gas Problem.
The Kansas Supreme Court is 60
| ing to determine what constitutes
merchantable natural gas in Kansas.
The supreme court handed down last
week decision that natural gas of
500 to $50 British thermal units was
not merchantable gas.
X + J.
Kansas to Have Cavalry.
Charles I. Martin. adjutant general
nouneed recently that two troops OF
cavalry for the guard would be organ
| lied at Wichita
+ + r
"Bone Dry" Law for Kansas.
Kansas will be 'bone dry" by Febru-
airy / if the legislature enacts liquor
law now being drawn by Attorney
General Brewster. The bill viii be in
line with the recent decisions of the
| United States Supreme Court on the
Webb-Kenyon law and on the West
Virginia law.
r = r
For MunipicsI Ice Plants.
A bill introduced by Representative
Wilson of Pawnee county gives every
city in Kansas authority to build an
ice plant.