The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-03-05
GIVE BOND POWER
Bill Would Permit Emergency
Issue by Executive Council.
Limit Amount, However, to
Quarter Million Dollars.
FIRE INSPECTION is URGED
Committee Approves State Rate
Making Bureau Plan.
Dudley Resolution for Early
Return Ammunition Train.

Emergency bonds of the state to the
amount of a quarter of a million dol
lars and to be retired in not more
than five years may be issued on vote
of the state executive council to ex-
tend relief in case of fire, storm or act
of Providence. That is the text of a
bill substituted and offered in the
house today by Chairman Barrier of
the state affairs committee.
The bill will probably be rushed
thru both houses in a few days. 1t is
the purpose of the state affairs COM
mittee to meet an emergency in any
of the state institutions by placing in
the hands of the executive council the
power and authority to issue bonds.
Kansas does not carry insurance on
her buildings or property. Insurance
premiums amount to more than the
annual losses.
In former years there has been no
fund available with which to meet
losses from fire or storm at state in
situations. Both Governor Hodges and
Governor Capper signed personal notes
at banks in order to meet the need of
funds for state work. This money
could not be provided without an act
of the legislature. So the governors
provided the money and trusted to the
succeeding legislature to repay. This
system. tho, is hardly in keeping with
good business practice. So the state
may now provide for the creation of
an emergency fund in event of a de-
mand for money which cannot be
taken from the treasury without legis-
lative enactment
Bonds which may be issued By the
state executive council would be
signed by the governor and secretary
of state and bear the seal of the Sec
rotary of state. They would be in
denominations of not less than 500
nor more than $1,000, and for a sum
not exceeding S250,000. The bonds
would be retired in period not ex-
ceeaing five years from the date of
their issue.
Must Inspect State Property.
An amendment to the fire marshal
act was proposed in the house today
by the insurance committee. Under
the amendment, the state fire mar
shaFs force would make inspection OF
all state property at least twice each
year. Reports as to conditions would
be filed with the board in charge OF
the building. Methods for escape OF
persons in all state buildings would
also be reviewed in the reports. Fire
hazards, risks and general dangers
from fires would be reported i'm
nlediately following the Inspections
A Strengthen Farm Bureau Law.
Representative Gib3ons's bill pro
wiling for a stronger county farm
fGtu law passed the mouse To-Day II
bulk roll call. The bill will extend
gEeater aid to farm bureau work in
Kansas, and is expected to popular
1ze the department which has already
been established in forty-two counties
Ander terms of Gibbons's bill the
amount of money which may be ap-
propriated by county boards to farm
bureaus is increased from $500 tC
$1,000 a year. This sum is dupli.
Gated in joint federal and state appro.
priations. One-half of the second
$1,000 would be paid by the govern.
n1ent under terms of the Smith-LeVel
ACT, while the balance would be paiC
from funds of the state. Provision i.
also made for tax levieS by countie:
in-order to care for farm bureau work
Upon petitions signed by % per cen
of-the farmers of a county. the county
com miSSionerS would be compelled t
establish county farm bureau. Glib
bons believes that with the ending o
the war and increased number of me1
available for service, that provision:
oEth farm bureau law will be ex
tended to majority of the counties.
= House Approves Ridgway Bill.
House members in committee of tn,
whole approved provisions of the in
surance bill by Ridgway of Wyandott'
providing for the organization, opera
tion and supervision of fire INSURANCE
rate making bureaus. The bill wa
offered by the head of the house in
surance committee in an effort to lie
gGtiZe and protect the rate making
bureau of the state. RidGWays bill
builds up the work which. it is de
clared. would be destroyed by the Car
roll bill now in the senate. But on
slight amendment was made to tn
Ridgway bill.
The Ridgway measure provides tina