The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-11-20
State Auditor Wants Law
makers to Investigate.
Irrigation Money Used to Bene-
fit Attorney General.
REED ANSWERS FRED KNAPP
Judge Says Legislative Body
Invited Him to Mansion.
Suggests That AuditOr-Banker
Spend More Time on Job.

Fred w. Knapp, state auditor, is
laying the foundation for a Legislative
investigation of use of public funds by
state officials. He wants the law
makers to take a look at Attorney
General Hopkinss use of the state ir-
rigation fund for the benefit of his
private clients. He also suggests that
the state dispose OF the present execu-
tive mansion and that Judge Clyde
M. Reed. who occupies the property,
be asked to move.
Knapp's biennial report is now be-
ing completed and promises to con-
tain the basis for considerable legis-
lative activity during the winter
months. He has taken a generous
swing at Richard J. Hopkins, attorney
general, in a statement of facts re-
garding use of the irrigation fund.
He says it was largely thru Hopkins's
actions that the legislature put a rider
on an appropriation bill which en-
abled the attorney general.to use state
funds in prosecuting a case for a pri-
vate client. The state was in no man
ner concerned with the litigation.
Knapp declares. but under the Joker
! injected thru Hopkinss actions, was
compelled to pay the bills.
Asks Legislature to Investigate.
1T Will be profitable for the legis-
lature TO investigate the true status
OF this suit" says Knapp in his rec
; ocmendatons for probe of the case
which he declares "is no more or less
than private litigation in which the
state of Kansas is not interested in the
slightest, before paying any more
money to the-attorneys for tunket
trips"
The last session of the legislature
went part way toward carrying out
recommendations by abandoning, the
spending of further money upon the
demonstration plants and redrafting
| the irrigation law, making ii the func-
m iSGt tn
gather data and furnish information
upon the subject of irrigation" says
the report. Then it continues with
emphasis:
I'm order to even save that much
OF the old remains it was necessary to
nook the proposition onto the state
board of agriculture in order to Sc
cure the support of farmer members
OF the legislature. The most enthusi-
astic exponent for continuing this use
less waste was the attorney general OF
the state, who is the private attorney
/ OF an irrigation company. and, when
the bill was finally passed, II was dis
covered to have rider providing for
the payment of expenses not exceed
ing $4,000 a year. incurred in cases
against Colorado bitches to prevent
! diversion of water from the Arkansas
river. The principal expenses paid in
those cases were for trips to California
by the attorney general and by r. Du-
A Private Litigation
"It will be profitable for the 1egis-
lature to investigate the true status
of this suit, which is no more nor less
than private litigation in which the
state Of Kansas is not Interested in
the slightest, before paying any more
money to the attorneys for junket
| trips. I renew my recommendation of
two years ago that the division OF ir-
| rigation within the state board of agri-
! culture be abolished and that the state
cease further experim or demon
strations of forestry and irrigation in
western Kansas"
Spent $fG,500 for Homes.
Knapp's recommendations regard
ing the executive mansion cover ex-
penses of several hundred dollars by
Judge Reed for furniture, linens and
supplies for the residence which he oc-
cupies at Eighth avenue and Buch-
anan street. The auditor gives figures
showing the state spent $10.50O for
homes for Governor Allen and Judge
Reed.
Summed up briefly. It will be noted
that the legislature Of 1919 appropri-
ated total OF $40. 500 for the purpose
of providing residence for the use of
the governor and keeping in repair the
state executive mansion. The nature
of the expenditures, as above set ont,
indicates that but very small propor-
ton of the amount appropriated has
been used for the proper upkeep of the