The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-01-28

pearance of her offices meant that
Miss Wooster would be compelled to
curtail numerous trips over the state.
But something had to be done. Miss
Wooster wasn't the least bit pleased
with the appearance of the office as
w. d. Ross, her predecessor had left
it. So Miss Wooster signed a voucher
on the vocational fund for $576.27 for
Erepainting and redecorating her own
private office and the office in which
Kent has desk space and for beautify-7
ing the department generally.
State-Federdl Appropriation.
Under a law passed by the legisla-
ture in 1917 Kansas adopted a plan
of the federal government tosextend
aid TO states for vocational education.
TSor each dollar allowed a state by the
government, the state was to duplicate
the amount and the money was to be
used in the teaching of trades and in
dustries and particularly agricultural
education in the public schools.
When the legislature met in regular
session in 1919, it appropriated S115s-
oil to duplicate a similar federal APP
preparation for vocational education in
Kansas during the biennum ending
June so, 1921. OF this amount $751;
SAL was available for the current fis-
cal year and $63,37 for the succeed
ing fiscal year. The state fund was
placed in charge of the state board of
approved by the state superintendent
of public instruction for expenses for
carrying out the purposes of the act.
Kent Dubious About 1t.
According to rumors in the state
house, Director Kent Is not convinced
| that the cause of vocational training
| is materially advanced by the use of
| $576.27 worth of French ochre and
gold bronze on the walls of Miss
| Wooster's office. But the money is
paid and the voucher is approved by
IL E. Wooster, state superintendent
of public instruction The account
! shows that the contractors devoted a
total of 372 hours to the task of add
| ing to the art and beauty of Miss
| Wooster's offices. And so far as is
| known Kent from his desk backed
against a wall in the general reception
room, may enjoy the scenery without
| personal expense.
Now it appears that the vocational
fund may be stretched to meet a world
! of little items for the general ex-
penses of Miss Wooster'S department
/ To be sure the legislature provided q
| specific manner for the spending of
| the money and congress provided an
| even moro definite course. But pos
| sibly a IhoughtlesS congress and a
! state legislature anxious to go home
cannot give attention to all necessary
| details. So Miss Wooster is finding
| other benefits from her ex-officio
right to sign warrants on the voca-
| tional fund.
Other Vouchers, Too.
Several vouchers bearing the IL. E.
| Wooster signature have been pre-
| sented recently for telephone and tele-
graph bills. Tn items cover messages
/ by Miss Wooster and her assistants as
well as messages for the vocational di-
rector.
The largest expense item which Miss
Wooster has filed against the voca-
tional fund, tho, is for redecorating
her offices. For 372 hours work, Miss
Wooster drew on the fund for $352.36
or an average of 95 cents an hour.
Materials including French ochre gold
| bronze and stencil colors completed
the total expense of S576.27.