The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-09-03
Governor Allen Replies to Let.
ter From Auditor Turner.
Special Meeting viii Be Held
Next Wednesday.
TO SAVE TAXPAYERS MONEY
Reply Contains Several Bits Of
High Glass Sarcasm.
Regrets Turner Did Not Take
Case Before Legislature.

Governor Allen wants n. A. Turner,
state auditor to bring his facts and
figures as to unnecessary state exc
penses before the executive council at
special meeting next Wednesday.
In reply to Turner's demand that state
officials, as well as department and
institutional heads should join in saw
ing several hundred thousand dollars
a year. the governor endorses the idea
and calls on Turner to produce the
evidence.
Points to Legislative Plan.
The governors reply isn't exactly in
the form of three lusty cheers for the
auditors suggestion which was sent
direct to the state executive. There
are several bits of high class sarcasm
in Governor Aliens reply. If there are
unnecessary Joy rides to Washington,
he asserts, the auditor should be cou-
rageous and cut them out. AS for un-
necessary boards and commissions, the
governor points to his legislative plan
for passage of an agricultural consoli-
dation bill. Turner's criticism was di-
rected toward the public utilities COM
mission and not the agricultural de-
partment. There is also suspicion
/ in the state house that the Industrial
court may have been in the auditors
mind when he wrote his letter.
Governor Aliens Reply.
! IN MS reply dONeEuOT AlleH IcSICAS
| that Turner could not suggest his
economy plan to the legislature, which
he declares was careful and economi-
, cal in the use of state money. How
ever, the governor suggests that Tur,-
ner come before the executive council
with his plan, and is certain he will
receive an attentive hearing and CO.
operation. The governors reply to
Turner follows:
NV Dear Mr.. Auditor-I have read with
interest your communication of the 3lst
4 ult which You did not have delivered to
| my office until late today. note that you
have recently made n careful investigation
| Of the matter of expenditures In tine vari-
GUS state departments and institutions aud
| that you are fully convinced that the legis-
lature has appropriated i'many hundreds
rying on Of these institutions than they
need.
and l am sorry this information could not
| have been furnished you while the legis-
lature was in session However. l will be
very glad to cooperate with you In any
way in bringing about the saving Of sums
of money which Will run into hundreds o.
thousands of dollars. l had thought thct
rather economical in its spirit and that
the careful work of both ways and means
committees had cut the appropriations to
the lowest possible sums that could be al
lowed with safety. You remember that
special committees OF the house and SEN
ate spent great deal of time In investigaf-
ing all possible means of economy.
realize however, that you would not have
made as strong a statement as YOU have
without some plan of curtailment and
would be glad If you would submit TINT
plan to the executive council at special
meeting on September Z, at 10 a. m. speci-
flying at the same time the departments
and institutions which received upneces-
sary appropriations.
| am in full sympathy with what you
say touching the waste of money due to
the duplication Of various boards, com
missions, inspectors, etc. II you remeIn-
ber, 1t was in an effort to prevent this that
1 sought to have. passed the agricultural
legislature. Consolidation is a work which
the next session OF the legislature ought
to take up seriously. There Is much that
to eliminate unnecessary expenditures and
am very glad that you are now !ndicat-
ing n disposition to use these powers.
/ note also that you state some Joyrides
have recently been taken by men in the
state service and that when you aues-
toned the necessity of some trips to WASH
ington you were criticised for mentioning
the subject
fact that the Legislature places upon you
as one of the burdens Of your office the
duty of questioning expenditures. directing
you to disallow any expenditures which in
your Judgment are not taken for the good
Of the public service.
II 1 were you, in the future ] would not
be deferred by any unpleasant comment OF
, individuals from doing my full duty in 9bfs
matter. The state legislature has made
the office OF auditor very important one
and has given him large powers in the cur
tailment of unnecessary expenditures Of
money and am very sure that your asso-
eiates upon the executive council and in all
, the departments Of the state will wish to
!, cooperate with you at a time like this in
, the saving OF such vast sums as you men
ton In your letter. h J. ALLEN.
, Governor.
. Norton A. Turner. state auditor. this
: afternoon addressed a reply to Cover
nor Aliens letter replying to the Tur-
ner letter asking for a reduction in
state expenses. Turner said he would
: be glad to lay his program before the
state executive council at the meeting
e next week, altho he had asked for q
E meeting OF all departments and inSu-
Y tutional heads. He reiterated his dec
+ laration that the state should seek q
2 policy of trying to save money rather
than trying to spend 1t.
Turner To Attend Meeting.
Governor Allen has called a special
meeting of the executive council for
4 Wednesday. Turner says he will at
tend In his letter today he expressed
hope that the meeting would pave the
4 way to some genuine relief from the
e high cost of state government
Reply to Aliens letter.
In mis- reply to Governor Aliens let.
ter. Turner said
Hon. Henry j. Allen. Governor.
a Dear Governor: Am In receipt OF your
! letter of 2nd inst regarding conference for
: the. purpose Of curtailtng state expensses:
OF the executive council for 10 O'Clock, Sep
tember Tth. TO talk over the matter.
While I viii be glad to be present az
the meeting and present such information
:, as / may from the records. i am frank 70
say that do not think the executive couns
eff composed only Of certain elective Of
ficers can accomplish much in the diree-
tfon desired, you being the only member
: Of that body who controls the actions Of
= any boards commissions However no
Y harm can come from n discussion Of the
I matter br sfte executive council, and pos
sibly this will result in a general confer
enee of the heads Of all departments
y boards and state institutions to go Oye1
e the matter. as have signified-