The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-01-14
CAPPER IN BUDGET
Governor Approves More Than
State Auditor Knapp.
In Favor of $14,O29,29S for New
Kansas Expense.
HE RECOGNIZES The P. U. C.
Also Places Importance stO
Work of Accountant.
Highways Measures of Real
Value Now, He Says.

VI lne Sldte legislature To-Day a puget
for appropriations for the maintenance
| of the state departments and institu-
| tons was submitted by the outgoing
governor, Arthur Capper. The grand
total solicited by the ex-governor's
budget is $14,029,29S. This exceeds
by s72,253 the grand total of the gen.
eral appropriations budget submitted
by the state auditor, Fred W. Knapp.
The total general appropriations by
the 1917 legislature for the same pur-
poses was S11.16S,565.
Governor Capper says this is the
| first time in the history of the state
| that the governor has submitted such
a budget, it being required under a
law passed by the last legislature. The
fact that the opening of the legislative
session, when the budget is due to be
tpresented, is practically simultaneous
with a change of administration in
I the office of governor, the question has
arisen whether the law intended that
the incoming or outgoing governor
should submit the budget Governor
Capper explains:
Il have entertained some doubts as
to whether the outgoing governor
should submit the budget TO the leg1s-
lature, but the attorney general has
| advised me that it is my duty under
!
| Approves the II. U. C.
Governor Capper does not coincide
with State Auditor Knapp, whose
| budget also was submitted to the leg
islature today, in keeping with the new
| dual-budget law, in the matter of
| eliminating certain departments.
among which of particular Importance
| are the public utilities commission and
the office of public accountant. The
governor approves of an appropria-
| ton of $114,2O0 for the utilities COM
mission, the same as was appropriated
for that department two years ago;
also s32, 500 as requested for the main
tenance of the office of state account
ant as compared with $1,000 two
years ago. AS to the council of de-
Tense, which State Auditor Knapp rec
commended should be eliminated, the
ex-governor is in favor of maintaining
the organization, apparently, much as
it has been orSa niZed heretofore. He
recommends a total appropriation of
$4,000 as compared with 1911, $50,
the amount requested. Governor Cap
per makes no recommendation for
commissioner of irrigation. For this
department an appropriation of $751;
500 was sought. State Auditor Knapp
also recommended the elimination Of
this expense.
X. L. Is Trimmed Down.
The budgets offered by the various
educational institutions of the state
are approved by the governor with
one exception. He trimmed that of
the University OF Kansas 100000
placing the figure at $2.559,0S2. As
approved. the appropriations for main
tanning the State Agricultural college
is s1,630,426: the State Normal school.
| Emporia, $3.50, 1000; the State Normal
school, Fort Hays, s224,200; the
Pittsburg Manual Training school.
$535,200; the school for blind,
$1O6,174; the school for deaf, s1s3.-
$780, the Industrial and Educational
institute Topeka, colored, $4,000.
and Western University. colored,
s157.10O. The total for all edvca tional
Institutions is s6,196,56S, as compared
with s4.27s. 500 appropriated by the
last legislature. These funds are for
two years maintenance.
The states seven cha rita BILE institu-
tons call for a total appropriation of
s2,5S9.6S0, the largest sum sought be-
ing that of the State hospital at To-
sought for the maintenance of
the states five penaH institutions
total s1,S1S,205. and for, the two pa
triotic institutions-the State Soldiers
home and the Mother Bickerdyke
| home-$441,O0O
- The estimated expense of the states
judicial department, including su-
preme court, district judges and dis
trict court stenographeDe, is s4Ss. S41.
The largest budget of any state office
is that Of the state printing plant.
$406,O70.
Urges Good Roads.
In introducing his budget the outgo-
ing governor emphasized the impor-
| lance of good roads promotion. He
also urges a generous public improve
ments program in that it will tend to
help solve the intricate labor problem
closely 10 n
to civilian life OF thousands of SOL
diers. 1T is of the utmost impor-
lance that the state do everything pos
sible to provide labor not only for the
returning soldiers, but those who are
replaced by Them" he says in his re-
port.
In direct line with this program .
he continues, Il have approved of an
increased appropriation for the state
highway commission. 1 believe the
state is ready for a statewide pro-
gram. The state is fortunate in hav-
ing a highway department equipped
and already doing fine work The
work should not be permitted to lag.
The legislature should see that the de-
partment isgtven ample funds to
! carry the program forward vigor-
ously.
Good Financial Condition.
AS to the states financial status.
the former governor reported most
favora bly,. His statement SAYS:
kansas is to be congratulated upon
its healthy financial condition. 1t is
one Of the few states Of the union with
| no bonded Indebtedness. / think II
| important that the legisia ture should
| have this information in considering
| appropriations, not as an Invitation to
extravagant use Of the public money,
| but a guide to the financial strength
| of the state. AS / have pointed out
i increa sed appropria tons are asked
| for and will be needed. A policy OF
! stinciness in appropriating money to
run the states business is just as much
| to be condemned as wasteful and