The Topeka state journal., 1919-12-19
Teachers Legislative Program
Before Governor Allen.
Schools Crippled Seriously Tn.
less Relief Afforded.
ROAD REQUEST ALSO MADE
Reno County Seeks Amend
ments to Highway Law.
Removal "Home Rule" From
Utilities Act Sought.

New legislative problems were
checked up to Governor Allen today
by representatives of 10000 underpaid
Kansas teachers and organiza tions be-
hind permanent highway building.
Proposals for amendments to existing
laws were presented to the governor
with the request that he broaden the
scope of his program before the spe-
cial session of the state legislature.
In addition to the demand for new
educational and highway bills, the
governor also listened today to re-
quest for amendments to the public
utilities act. Should this request be
also granted, the legislature would be
asked to safeguard one town public
utility operations by removing the
home rule provision from the utilities
act, While no statement as to his
course was made today, there was
prospect that Governor. Allen copsid-.
cred broad ening provisions of his mes;
sage to the legislature which meets
in special session January 5.
Boards Back Teachers.
Kansas teachers are demanding re-
lief from the system of underpay.
Many school boards are also behind
the demand. Under the law. tho. the
tax levy of school districts is limited,
and ability of school officials to ad
vance salaries in keeping with high
jumps in living expenses is blocked by
statute. Consequently teachers m lust
go to towns where valuations are suffi-
salary revenue under the law, or to re-
main in the rural communities and
teach at pre-war salaries.
One result of the problem has been
the closing of several hundreds schools
thru inability to secure teachers at
prices which the school boards were
able to pay under the law. r. A. Kent
! i<.if T
told Governor Allen that the emerg-
ency before the teachers demanded
prompt action. Unless consideration
was given to the matter at this ses-
| sion. Kent said. educational facilities
in the state would be greatly crippled
! before the opening of the next school
year. More than 10000 Kansas
! teachers are affected by the statutory
| limitations placed on school leyies.
| Unless this restriction is removed
| many teachers are expected to leave
the profession with the end of the
present school year. The situation has
| already had a direct effect on enroll
ment in state normal schools and in
| material slumps in demands for
/ teachers certificates. 4
RESOLUTIONS From Reno. -
| Resolutions adopted by the Reno
/ county commissioners were presented
! to the governor today with a request
that the legislative program be broad
| ened to include IN ew@hi ghwa8 enact
ments. Three aniendfnfntssto the per-
| manent highway law were asked. They
| include:
4 1) Authority to commissioners to issue
:. warrants for construction materials as seou
: as material is delivered.
/ t2j Increase appropriation to state high
1 way commission TO enable commission &c
properly perform its functions under pro
| visions of present law.
| :. (3l Adopt suitable laws regulating traf-
| fic on hard surface roads after completed
| Regulations in include speed, tonnage
character of vehicles aud adoption of, traf
fic code.
Copies of the Reno county resolu-
tions are being sent to every member
of the Kansas legislature.
Request for amendments to the
state public utilities law has also beer
made to the governor. Under thC
present home rule provision in the
public utilities act. the state commits
sion regulates rates, policies and serv
ice of utilities operating IN two OIL
| more cities. = Securities. bond issue
and authority to do business must be
issued to all publ utilities by the
state commission, however. The homt
rule provision, however. permits To-
cal control of public utilities operat
ing In but one city
Governor Allen has been asked tt
include in his program q suggestion
that the home rule provision be re-
moved from the state law regulating
4 all public utilities