The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-01-15

curtaiIing labor. This subject has been
so seriously considered that there have
been established in some states. notably
Pennsylvania. emergency building funds
under separate commissions to put in
motion desirable public work in order to
meet emergencies that may arise in the
labor situation. / do not urge the adop-
ton of such a fund in Kansas because 1t
is not likely that our situation will become
doubtediy we shall feel before the year is
over something of the problem which viii
become very critical in some of the east
ern states. 1t is estimated that some
thing like two million people Will be thrown
upon the labor market in n few months,
mostly in the east and the south. thru the
closing of war factories. AS this army of
unemployed works westward in Its search
for employment, 1t will undoubtedly touch
flow of this labor from non-convertible war
industries will be something like 3:OOO,o0o
seas service 1 wish to call your attention
to the fact that we are not doing our part
if meet this problem in spirit Of non
building and stringent retrenchment
There is much money that we might save
which is now wasted in inefficiency and
mismanagement in many of our expressions
of government and to save this should be
| our most serious concern. but saving money
at the expense of needful public progress
should refrain
state Geological Department.
The growing Importance to Kansas of
| her natural resources In petroleum, natural
gas, lead and zine, coal, clays. salt.
gypsum, road materials, cement and water.
| and the peculiar need for special study of
water supply for public use in irriga ton,
/ development of road materials. further de-
| velopment of petroleum resources, all call
/ for the reorganization of the state geolog
/ zeal department. If it is to be made useful
| be placed upon an adequate business basis
A very considerable increase in the funds
; for the geological department will be nee
! Needed Inspection of Metal Mines.
Within the past three years there has
been tremendous Development of the
southeastern portion of the state This
/ industry has grown to a point where it
rivals the coal industry of the state. but
! no provision has been made for the proper
| safeguarding of these mines. There is i'm
mediate need that provision be made for
loss of life and infliction of injury
1t is my belief that the legislature should
under the present state mine inspection
and d that he he should be fs selected
! in the lead and zinc mines.
Educational Policies.
! Ny attention has been called to the leg
islative program of the State Teachers
association which strikes me being full
of suggestions which entitled to the
gravest consideration of the legislature.
| It provides for state insurance law pre-
pared on an actuarial basis, guaranteeing
an annual income for life to those persons
| who have given all of their energies thru
| n term of years TO the public schools OF
the state: it contains n provision for the
taking of the office of state superintendent
out OF politics; for improving the statute;
schools is chosen: and other changes IN
our system necessary. to make it meet al
the needs of the modern day.
judiciary Reforms.
Some important and necessary reforms in
dhe judiciary system of the state have beer
considered by the legislature in the pas
tRf
into law because it is first necessary tt
amend the constitution that these re
forms could be legally adopted.
In this as in other desirable action tn:
constitution as it now stands is found t.
be a bar to progress.
National Prohibition and Woman Suffrage
The constitutional amendment providinf
for national prohibition should be ratified
at the earliest possible date.
resolution requesting the United State.
! senate to submit constitutional amend
/ ment providing for woman suffrage SHOULD
be passed without delay
, Kansas has been n leader in these move
ments. and this leadership calls for promp
action, which hope will be taken. -
State Reserve Banks.
I wish to call attention of the Legislature
, to the plan of the Kansas state bankers
to establish state reserve banks. 1t il
argued by these bankers that Kansas nov
keeps a large part of its reserve in cite
outside of the state. where it goes chief,
to meet the demand for loans in state
) where it is deposited; when it could AM
They believe that state reserve banks wOul,
result in keeping Kansas money at home
This is n desirable end and the problem
deserves the best attention Of the legisla
ture
Need of a Constitutional Convention.
) Nothing is more apparent in Kansas thai
f the need of general overhnuling of TIL
E constitutional system. The restrictions O
the document which was adopted at a
l hour when the state small and it
7 , problems simple become yearly more ap
. parent. We have reached point wher
r relief touching the most needed reform
r Is absolutely impossible without constitu
: tional amendment or a new constitution.
: good roads legislation. increase in home
= utterly impossible under the present con
e ditions: The general need for improve
methods ndn Of rs state and county goTernmnn
e modern business principles into government
: is equally impossible of accomplishment.
t My able predecessor, in his message @
;, The most extravagant and wastefu
: branch of government is that of the count
y creasing from Sass. 2s5 in 1905 to ss,o4a. ::
creased taxation it seems Incredible tina
z no effort has been made by the legislator
= | to curb extravaganza at this source wher
+ it Is greatest. We have sometimes SCENE
A TO begrudge the money required for til
e maintenance of state institutions even
e the extent of hampering their growth. dc
o velopment and usefulness when in realit
2 the money required for them is but
y | small part of the public revenue. We hay
V been saving ut the spigot and wasting
e the bung- hole
v Need Court House Reforms
e Governor Capper's tcrse analysis of til
e situation two years ago is even more tru
g today than it was at that time, becaus
+ each year emphasizes the inadequacy
! our present county method. In som
e counties We have elected high as sever
e teen county officials and generally wit
It the unhappy result of discovering that pee
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