The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-03-02
Committee Cuts Appropriation
for Civil Service Body.
Decides That 1915 Legislative
"RefOrm" Is Only a Failure.
GOVERNOR ON DEFENSE AGAIN
isn't Consistent for Him to
Butt In," Says OstIind.
'.POliticaI Pull to Every Good
Job in Kansas"

If the state civil service commits
sion collects an appropriation at the
hands of the state legislature, it will
be compelled to use a kit of burglar
tools and a stick of dynamite. John
Ostlind. jr., of Mcpherson county
served notice today that he would take
the floor to fight the program of the
commission if presented in the house.
That isn't all Ostlind is planning to
read the report of Governor Capper's
efficiency and economy commission,
which declared that the commission is
a useless experiment.
Members of the house ways and
means committee have agreed to cut
off the Appropriation for the civil
copy of the efficiency and economy
commission and have decided that the
alleged reform of the 1915 legislature
is not a success. Instead of improv-
ing, the civil service has lessened the
efficiency of state departments with
out eliminating the element of politi-
cal pull. Ostlind declared.
Displeased With Governor.
The member from Mcpherson coun-
ty speaks feelingly about the civil
service program as it is operated in
Kansas. What is more. he is not at
all pleased with the attitude which the
governor has taken in seeking at this
appropriation
commission.
1T doesn't seem consistent for the
governor to butt in with a demand for
an 1ppropI iauon at this time" said
! Ostlind, especially in view of the fact
that the last legislature gave him the
efficiency and economy commission
which he demanded and that commits
hion has Investigated and found that
the civil service commission is worse
than useless l don't think a person
has been appointed to a good job in
Kansas whose political pull cannot be
traced. But with the commission
standing behind them, these men and
women are able to weaken the eff
cheney OF department and do not
improve tn" service of the state.
Plan Is n Joke.
Under the civil service which we
have been given, the plan is a Joke
1t simply enables persons to grow old
and inefficient in office. 1t mean ms
that when person is elected or ap-
/ pointed to an office that he inherits
a bunch of persons who in all proba-
/ blllty are not in sympathy or accord
1 with his policies. Yet the head of the
| department is held responsible to the
people. 1t matters not how much the
/ clerks and assistants which the COM
mission gave him may seek to destroy
or retard his policies
THE ways and means committe e
read carefully the recommendation
of the efficiency and economy com
! mission. That commission was ap.
/ pointed at the personal request an6
solicitation of the governor There
is every reason to believe they knew
! what they were talking about They
| have investigated the matter and
| found there is no need for the present
civil service commission which they
have branded as a joke. Now it doe.
not seem consistent for the governor
to interfere and tell the committed
or the legislature what it should do
If an effort is made to force al
| appropriation for the commission
when the executive budget is report
ed to the legislature, Ostlind propose.
to take the floor against any appro
| priatiOn measure.