The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-17
Unnecessary City Improve
ments Should Be Curtailed.
That Is Suggestion Made by
Municipality League.
BOYS RESERVE IS ENDORSED
City Employees Urged To Help
the Government.
Executive Council Holds Meet
ing This Afternoon.

Elimination of municipal improve
ments not STRICTLY essential, the plac-
ing of city property and officials at
the disposal of the government, train
ing of fire and police departments for
emergency riot service. municipal fuel
yards, war" gardens and aid to the
government in food control were in
Guided today in war measures recon-
mended for adoption by Kansas cities
and towns in resolutions adopted by
the executive council of the Kansas
League of Municipalities. The execu-
tive council held it's meeting this
morning at the commission rooms in
the city hall here.
The council, however. did not stop
with these recommendations 1t went
into detail in discussion of problems
which ohe league thinks municipalities
should take a hand in because of the
war and incorporated those details
into the resolutions. Municipal mar
kets are urged wherever possible as a
part cities and towns may take in aid
ing the food administration. Munich
palit1es were also called upon to see
to it that no suffering resules from
lack OF food One resolution states
that municipal food kitchens may be
necessary in several Kansas cities and
towns.
Every municipal employe and official
is asked to aid in the food admins
tration plans. W. L. Porter's bows
working reserve in Kansas was en-
dorsed and cities were urged to stimu-
late an increase in vacant lot gardens
by affordlng beginners a free course
in agricultural instruction. In con-
nection with a greater food produc-
ton, more food conservation is urged
Cities, in establishing municipal fuel
yards to alleviate the coal shortage,
are urged to pattern after the one at
Lawrence.
Another resolution urges that con-
servation also be observed by utiliza-
ton of community waste.
Further resolutions declare that
cities should act as publicity and edu-
cational agencies for the government
and set examples in war work and
problems, such as the purchase of lib
encourage home guard companies and
cooperate with federal officials to put
down sedition and sabotage.
Concentrate All Energies.
l.. The recommendation asking that
improvements be curtailed to those
strictly essential, says the men en-
ployed in such work should be re-
leased for the army. It is under
stood, however, that adequate local
utility service must be maintained.
The supreme need of the time ~
says the council, lis the concentra-
ton of the energies of all individuals,
organizations and units of govern
ment." To this end resolutions Mac
ing before Governor Capper a plan to
create in every city and town a war
committee to unity and intensity war
work were adopted.
Members of the executive council OF
the league attending the meeting to-
ard II
Garden City; Chas. E. Banker. SaIina
Mayor j. H. Morrison Chanute: W. I.
Porter, Topeka; p. l. Wall, Mound
Ridge. and Homer Talbot, Lawrence
This afternoon at 4:30 o'clock a sec
tional war meeting for city officials
began. w. w. Cleland of Lawrence
and Hopkins were among the speak