The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-02-28
Waterproof Walks Not in State
House Improvements.
AnnihilatiOn of DandeliOn Crop
Another Point Overlooked.
BIG PROGRAM UNDER WAY, THO
In Another Year Kansas Capitol
Will Have New |'Innerds."
Governors Office to Come in for
Complete Overhauling.

State house improvements amount
ing to $4,000 will be completed
some time this summer. The legisla-
ture, however, provided no money
for cutting the lawn, for humiliation
Of the dandelion crop or for filling
the holes in the walks. So Topekans
and state house visitors from Kansas
towns must equip themselves with hip
boots if they contemplate trip to
the capitol during the season of spring
rains.
Not for another year, it least, will
money be available for improving the
state house grounds. Altho Edwin
McDougall, state house custodian and
legislator from Sumner county, sought
to secure an appropriation of $25,0O0
at the special session, he was denied
funds. The money would have been
available for use by the executive
council in improving the lawns and
walks, but the executive council was
seemingly concerned with contingent
funds and forgot the item for better
ment of the capitol grounds.
Big Improvement Program.
improvements now being made in
the state house, tho. are fan in excess
of any betterment campaign known to
The new work is in reality a continual
ton of the campaign of state house
betterment which Representative Nc
Dougall began in 1917. At that time
he secured an appropriation OF $1o,-
600 for overhauling the east wing and
construction of new entrance steps.
In 1919 McDougall came back and
drove thru a bill allowing 10000
for redecorating and overhauling the
old offices. Appropriations also have
been made available for new furaiture
in most of the offices. This work is
now under way and will be completed
some time within the present calendar
year.
Overhaul Governors Sanctum.
Governor Aliens office is to be
thoroly overhauled, reprinted and re
decorated under provisions of the bill
New lighting systems will be installed
and a plan for grouping the pictures
of former governors or for uniform
framing is now being worked out.
Other offices to receive benefits OF
paint, decorations, rugs, furniture,
lighting arrangements and other I'M
provement5 include: Attorney gen.
erals office, superintendent of public
Instructions. secretary of states, state
auditors, state treasurer's, tax COM
missions. state accountants, archi-
tect's and the supreme court chamber.
A number of these improvements
have already been worked out. Desks
and chairs which came to the state
house with the early days OF statehood
are being junked or sent to the scrap
heap. In another year the interior
of the capitol building will present
an air of newness to offset the old
impressions of fake state economy for
political purposes. Many Of the bet
terments thru purchase of new furni-
ture and rugs are being made from
individual departmental appropria-
tons.
But No Waterproof Walks.
There will be no funds for the state
house lawn this year. Neither will
there be a fund for fighting the crop
of dandelions. State house visitors
have long dreamed of waterproof
walks on the state house grounds. but
the legislature simply couldn't see II
that way.
Next winter request may be made
to the ways and means committee for
an appropriation sufficient to install
system of underground irrigation.
Water might be supplied from the
state hospital plant. This plan, it is
declared. would beautify the lawns
and remove Kansas from the rank of
states which ignore responsibility to
public property.