The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-03-08
find MUCH WRONG
State House Unsafe, LegiSla-
tive Committee Asserts.
Also the Building and Grounds
Are Unsightly.
CUSTODIAN NOT PAID ENOUGH
Lawmakers Think He Should
Also Have More Authority.
Employment of a Landscape
Gardener Is Recommended.

A Joint committee of the senate
and house of representatives believes
that the custodian of the state house
should receive more money and have
more authority over his janitors. 1t
also believes a number of things
should be done to the state house and
the grounds to make them more sight
ly, sanitary and safe.
The committee has turned in a re-
port of its findings as regards condt-
tions.
AS to the state house or capitol it
reports as follows:
That the present heating system is
inadequate to heat the building in Sc
verely cold weather and is destroying
and damaging the building and furni-
ture by leakage and rust.
Much of the electric wiring Is open
and unprotected, is unsightly and a
menace to the building, as it increases
the fire hazard.
The carpets, walls and furniture in
q large portion of the building are I'M
slightly, unsanitary and badly in need
of refinishing or replacement.
Both elevators are inefficient, If not
dangerous. 1t is reported that one
or both are out of service whenever
any crowd visits the state house.
Grounds Are Unsightly.
As to the state house grounds, the
committee says:
That the lawn is unsightly and al
most wholly without grass. The loca-
ton, and distribution of flower beds
and other intended ornamental fea-
lures do not accomplish the purpose
for which they were designed.
The city library building, located
within these grounds, is unsightly.
An unsightly signboard has been
erected on the southeast corner of the
grounds, and the driveways under the
north and west entrances are used for
hitching teams and the storing of i'm
piements.
The walks and pavements around
the state house are badly out of re-
pair.
Committee Makes Recommendations.
The following recommendations are
made:-
I'VE believe the custodian should
be given greater authority over the
janitors and watchmen supposed to be
under his control; that he should have
authority to employ and discharge the
janitors and watchmen and all subor-
dinate employees of his department,
being responsible only to the executive
council; that the salary is not now suf-
ficient and it should be increased suf-
ficiently to Justify the employment of
Ian capable of exercising these
duties. We think the system which at
present obtains of employing the Gus
todian and janitorS and other en-
ployes separately is a failure, because
the responsibility for such employ
ement is not properly fixed.
I'VE recommend that each and all
of the things mentioned concerning
the state house and grounds should be
Immediately remedied by a sufficient
appropriation to be judiciously eX-
pended for that purpose.
New Landscape Gardner.
I'VE recommend that a competent
landscape gardener should be employed
for the purpose Of laying out, plant
ing and beautifying the state house
grounds: that the repairs to the state
house, including new and complete
heating plant and the electric wiring
of the building to conform to standard
practices, be carried out under the
supervision of the state architect, we
also recommend the closing of the
west entrance to the state house
grounds to automobiles and other
vehicles and the entrances from the
west be made to correspond with those
Oh the north and south of the grounds
''This is not intended as a criticism
upon the present officers, individuals
of conducting these matters, but we
recommend that the entire system be
changed and eliminated and a more
modern management be substituted
for it.
Respectfully submitted
Committee of the Senate.
COMMITTEE of the House."