The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-02-25
TO COMBINE Them
consolidation, OF Livestock and
Agricultural Boards Planned.
Bill To Be Introduced Soon in
Both Houses.
GOVERNOR ALLEN APPROVES IT
Measure Proposes Commits
sioner at Salary at $4,000.
Selection Will BE Made by Six
teen Members.
GOVERNOR ALLEN APPROVES IT

Plans for consolidation of the live
stock and agricultural departments of
the state have been greed upon by the
Joint committee named by Governor
ALLEN. The bills for consolidation may
be introduced by the livestock COM
mittees of the house and senate, Gov
ernor Allen is said to approve the
reorganization plan which enbodies in
a large measure the bill drawn early
in the session by Representative Lam
bertsen of Brown couAnty-the COVER
nor's pet enemy in the legislature.
Membership OF Sixteen.
Under the measure 10 be proposed
by the joint committee an agricultural
Commissioners would be named by the
governor at a salary of $4,000 year.
This selection would be 1nade on rec
on1m enda zion OF three-fdurths of the
board which would have. a member
ship of sixteen Under the proposed
new law. A chief of the department
of agriculture and chief of the depart
rnent of livestock would also be named.
Each would receive $4,000 a year. The
commissioner of agriculture would
handle the work now in charge of the
secretary of the state board of agrf-
culture His duties would be increased
10 include general supervision over
the livestock and other interests to be
consolidated under the bill.
Presentation of a bill covering the
general Lambertson plan seemingly ex-
plains a. puzzle before legislators dur
ing the last ten days. When the gov
ernor named his joint committee to
draft a bill, he seemingly overlooked
several big standing committees, in
eluding heads OF the house and senate
agricultural committees. Then he Sc
lected Representative Lambertson. who
has said more harsh and unkind things
about the administration than the 1874
other members of the legislature.
Has Consolidation Bill.
Several days ago. tho, it became
known that Lambertson had con-
solidation bill in his pocket In fact,
It had been there during the entire
session. 1t seems he had discussed his
bill with the governor before the COM
mittee was named and had gone over
its provisions with the livestock COM
mittee. Now it appears that the gen
eral consolidation plan of the Brown
county member has been accepted both
by the governor and by the committee
which the governor selected.
The bill to be presented provides
that the person appointed by the gov
ernor must be approved by three
fourths of the membership of the state
board. 1t does not seem to be entirely
clear. tho, in binding the governor to
accept the choice in event there should
be a difference of opinion as to the
person most desired for the office. The
measure gives to the livestock interests
equal representation with the present
agricultural society on the board.
Provision is made for four meetings
n year. Members would receive 81
dav for attending these sessions.
Lambertson. whose ideas are inter
woven in the bill to he considered
during the present session. is recog-
niZed as a candidate for the governor
ship next year.