The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-02-02

health department was man-handlcd
by house members in a manner that
indicated much culture trouble for the
board during the present session of
the legislature. This bill contained
many pages and paragraphs and much
verbiage that embarrassed the read
ing clerks and stumped the house
members. 1t was admitted that none
of the members or persons associated
with the legislature could pronounce
or define the long list of diseases
which the health department had
scheduled. Each of the diseases was
to call for special report and an
investigation by state expense If the
health board desired.
Doctor Crumbine's bill came to the
legislature thru Highlands of Harper
county, blind member. HughoanhS
!amented the hostile attitude of the
house solons when they swung behind
move to separate the enacting clause
from the original bill. The operation
met with quite general favor in other
quarters, however, and the bill
The unpronounceable diseases to be
regulated, restricted and investigated,
was sent to the records in a shroud.
Martin Opposes 1t.
Il am most bitterly opposed to the
pernicious activities of the board of
health and said something about it
when | was here two years ago., said
Frank L. Martin of Reno county. 1t
when the legislature must enact half
the laws of session giving new pow
ers to a board Right now the board
of health either has asserts more
power than the legislature itself.
Thru a system of publicity, the de-
partment has reached the stage in
Kansas where anything and every
thing it says is law. Now they want
bunch of additional inspectors to
junket up and down the state to de-
termine whether we have one of these
unpronounceable diseases or som ething
else. And every trip will be paid for
by the state"
Martins little speech aroused the
house members, who for that partic-
ular session, had shown a marked de-
gree of quiet and unconcern in all
pending legislation. The Martin
speech reminded McDougau of Sum-.
ner county that the board of health
wasn't all it's advertising stated.
McDougall Has Evidence.
Il hold in my hand a pamphlet
printed at state expense" said Nc
Dougall This pamphlet, issued by
the board of health under reports by
inspectors, gives to man in my home
county perfect score for his cattle.
Now l happen to know personally
that the man who made that report
was never within a quarter or a half
things are the basis of my delight in
supporting motion to kill a new crop
of foolish legislation
Then Gilman of Leavenworth. floor
leader for the administration, testi-
fed. He took a short, hard swing at
the powers asserted by the health.
board.
Il am surprised said Gilman,
that the board of health should pat
ronize the legislature to such an ex-
tent as to ask for a law. 1t is a sur
prise that the board did not assume
its right and make an order.
Join in Crusade.
Wilmoth of Cloud county, and other
members Joined in the crusade against
the unrestricted and unlimited activi-
ties of the state health board. Then
the bill was killed by one-sided
vote.
The matter of real concern to state
departments. tho. is the -act that the
legislature-at least the house-has
clearly defined its attitude toward the
health department. 1t means that the
board will spend a sad day with the
legislature when the appropriation
bills are called up for consideration.
Two years ago the house supported,
Martin of Reno. in fight to cut the
boards appropriations. Speaker Stone
saved the appropriations for the de-
partment when he left the speakers
stand to take the floor for the bill
The 1915 legislature gave the health
department $69.000 in direct appro=l
priations in addition to reappropriat-
foes nd cd n lar a.