The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-11-25
Kansas Unable To Pay Quarter
of Million Debts.
Auditor Knapp Warns Governor
Of 1918 Conditions.
SPECIAL SESSION IS NEEDED
Warrants VIII Not Be Issued to
State Creditors.
Legislature Would Cost $4,000
Bills Due Soon.

Unless a short special session of the
state legislature is called in advance
of the regular session in January.
Kansas will be unable to pay a quar-
ter million dollars worth of bills due
in December. Nor will warrants be
issued to state creditors for funds
which are not in the state treasury.
That is the warning which Fred w.
Knapp. state auditor, has directed to
Governor Capper.
Members of the state executive
council, as well as Governor Capper
have declared recently that a special
session was unnecessary. Auditor
Knapp, however, stands on the show
ing of funds in the state treasury as
a backing for his argument. Knapp
declares that the fact that the state
will owe quarter Of million dollars
which it cannot pay in December. is
sufficient justification for the calling
of a special session. If the matter is
checked up to the regular session, the
auditor states flatly that he will not
issue warrants for funds not available.
1T is probable that a short special
session of four or five days would
cost the state $4,000 to $S,000," said
Knapp. Il don't believe it would be
greater. altho it might go as high at
$4,000. Unless action is taken, tho,
a. nuInDoF OIL CTGQlCOTS InuSI wall lOT
their money"
Barracks Cost Money.
Many of the present shortages are
due to heavy drains on state school
funds as a result of the building of
new barracks. The government has
agreed to repay the state for this ex-
pense. As yet, however, the funds
have not been sent to the state treas
ury and the unpaid bills must be TAX
en- care of by the state. AS a result
OF present conditions. the State uni
versity and other schools are in bad
financial straits. Kansas university
has $12.491.25 with which to pay
maintenance expenses for November
and December. Maintenance expenses
for October alone were S141, ,430.69.
Less than $4,000 is available at the
women's detention farm for mainte-
nance expenses. The bills for two
months will probably total ten times
as much as the fund or about $4,000.
The coal fund is $5.7sS.64 cash on
hand for all November and December
bills. October bills alone were $14,-
604.O7.
Repair the Mansion.
If Henry ]. Allen, governor elect, is
to be permitted to live in the govern
or's mansion, Knapp points out, the
state must appropriate money for re-
pdiI IlS lue tuIHOlc-uOWIl properly. AL
least $4,000 is necessary-and the
new governor comes to Topeka in jan
uary.
Ratification OF the national prohibi.
tion amendment is one of the meas
ures which might receive considera-
ton at the special session, Knapp
points out. In the main, tho. the
special session, if called, would give
consideration to appropriation bills.
AS soon as the emergency claims were
handled, the lawmakers would go
home and return for the regular ses-
sion in January.
Coal Famine Near.
One condition which seems to be
facing the state at this time is a coal
famine at the state heating plant. The
state penitentiary has been unable to
meet demands for fuel, and the 1917
legislature did not provide a fund for
the purchase of coal for the state
plant. In consequence, the new state
officials and the legislature may come
to Topeka in January to transact their
business in a frigid and lightless build
ing. The state department heads may
smile and ask the creditors to be
patient in urging payment of bills
against the state. But when the stu
alton threatens a heatless, lightless
building in which to work-well, that
may be something else.