The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-07-07
Publisher of Osborne Farmer
To Be New State Printer.
Will Take Charge of Duties
Here in September.
TO SUCCEED IMRI zUMWALT
Eight Persons Were Considered
for Appointment to Place.
"TOrOnto" Kelley Will Be in
Charge of Plant.

Governor Allen today appointed
Bert P. Walker, publisher of the Os-
borne County Farmer, as state printer
to succeed the late Imri Zumwalt.
Walkers appointment was made over
the candidacy of E. E. Kelley of To-
ronto, who will probably be retained
as first assistant. Eight persons, in
cluding Zumwalts widow, were con-
sidered for the place.
1t is probable Walker will come to
Topeka September 1 to take his Of
flee. In the meantime Kelley will be
in charge of the plant. Walker is now
in California. His selection as state
printer has been extensively antici-
pated in view of an interesting po-
litical situation which developed short
ly after Zurnwalt's death. The nam
ing of Walker was accepted in politi-
cal circles as a distinct recognition OF
Representative Charles H. Mann, who
is a likely speakership prospect and
aided the governor with his program
during the last session. He has been
in charge of Walkers paper while the
new state printer has been in the west
Country Newspaper Publisher.
Bert Walker, who won over the
heavy field, is one of the most widely
known and successful country news
paper men in the state. He was
Topeka newspaper reporter fifteen
years ago. Then he went to Osborne,
where he purchased the osborne
Farmer which had enabled its former
publisher, Charles Lands, to build up
fortune and enter the banking game
/ Walker has since made his paper one
! of the most extensively quoted week
lies in the state and is reported to have
made a fortune in Osborne.
In 1913 Governor Hodges, Demo-
crat, selected Walker as a member or
the state irrigation commission: Inc
J commission was created by the Demo :
crat legislature of that year, was pro-
yided with a fund of 100000 and
abolished two years later when the
Republicans gained control of the two
/ legislative bodies. Walker, who IS
1912 in opposition to Capper and the
Roosevelt followers.
Considered for State Auditor.
Three years ago when Governor AL
len won the nomination Walker was
one of his strong supporters in the
Sixth district. More than a year ago,
when Fred W. Knapp considered res
signing as state auditor. Governor Al
len was reported to have planned Sc
! lection of Walker for the place.
Knapp refused to quit his job Unless
he could control selection of a sue
| cessor-
| Interest in the selection of Walker
state politics and legislative matters.
! 1t is rumored that in event OF a Spe-
/ cial session of the legislature the state
administration will support Charles
! H. Mann for the speakership. Recent
| appointment of Speaker w. w. Har-
vey to become assistant United States
district attorney, made necessary his
resignation. Now the calling Of a spe-
| cial session would necessitate a spe-
cial speakership election. Mann is
one of the most likely candidates.
Urged Walkers Selection.
Recently Mann visited Topeka and
is reported to have strongly urged
regular session of the legislature Mann
left the ranks of his former college
chum and school mate. J. c. Mohler,
Il and voted for the administration con-
solidation bill. Mann himself was one
of the exceptions to the legislative rule
and did not seek an office when the
session adjourned. Recognition of his
loyalty to the administration was seen
by political observers. tho, when Gov
ernor Allen appointed Walker over A.
Q. Miller, who was endorsed by State
chairman Motter and Toronto
Kelley, who was urged by William
Allen White.
I Kelley in Conference.
Kelley today declared ''the next
best man" won when he learned of
| Walkers appointment. In fact Kelley
was in conference with the governor
before the appointment was an
nounced.
Next to my own SELF said Kelley
with a characteristic smile, the gov
ernor named the best man. Any
,rancor which a fellow might harboI
because of failure to win the place /.
lost in memory of the fine supper
which came to me from the newspaper
boys
Kelley declined to discuss possibili-
. ties of his own appointment. State
he will be named Walkers assistant