The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-09-26
SPECIAL BOARD
MAY BE FORMED
To SAVE MONEY
Many Thousands Can Be Saved
in State, Says Turner.
Officials Clash Over TOday's
Discussion of Economy Plan.
HUGGINS CHALLENGES ALLEN
Auditor Would Make Slash in P.
Z. c. and Industrial Court.
Presiding Judge Lines Up With
Turner's Economy Demand.


Creation of special commission to
go into details regarding state econo-
mics and to make recommendation
to Governor Allen aud the legislature
will result from today's economy con-
ference. Fifty state officials are at
tending the conference in the supreme
court chambers. Saving of many
thousands of dollars IN state expense
is possible, State Auditor Turner
pointed out. in a statement presented
at today's meeting.
State Officials Clash.
Several times during the early ses-
sions state officials clashed in discus
sion of use of state funds. An uneX-
pected turn came in the proceedings
when w. L. Higgins, presiding judge
OF the industrial court took exception
TO statements by Governor Allen and
lined up behind Turner in a demand
for economies. President Jardine of
the state agricultural college, asserted
that careful study of state expenses
was necessary altho he declared that
his school was fighting to keep within
its appropriation.
The clash between the governor and
Higgins came early. 1t followed a
rather sarcastic comment on Turner's
recommendation concerning saving OF
funds by the public utilities commis-
sion. Governor Allen referred to this
which had been carried over from the
legislative session. Judge Higgins
challenged the statement. In an eX-
change Of comment Judge Huggins
virtually declared that he had not Wis
tied the legislature because of admin
istration pressure.
Voluntary action should be taken
at once to lop off 1000 year of the
expenses of the public utilities COM
mission and industrial court without
impairing efficiency of either body,
Norton A. Turner, state auditor, today
told the state economy conference.
Turner today pointed to the fact that
the commission and court have COM
bined annual appropriation of $219.-
1883 and 10 people on the pay roll
This is, he asserted, more than three
times the appropriation for the state
supreme court with its seven judges,
and eighteen court reporters, clerks
and attaches.
Slashing reductions could be made
in state expenses he asserted, thru de-
mands by the governor and the legis-
lature fot a strict accounting of
stewardship and funds of various
boards. He declared that these
boards which regularly collect fees
never turn money into the treasury.
Ho wants their organizations and ac-
countings centered in the secretary of
states office. Demand was made that
state expenses be reduced thru eIimi-
nation of Implications in state schools.
He would also cut off one member of
the board of administration, sever two
assistant highway engineers from the
pay roll. abolish the travelling library
and conserve its space for needed pur-
poses
Docs Not Charge Graft.
Turner today reiterated former
statements that he was not charging
graft or corruption in public service.
He again said that he believed more
rigid economies should be practiced-
but that the practice should be volun-
tary by the departments and not thru
application of sledge hammer methods
or use of the ak on bills filed for pay
ment In a statement filed with Gov
ernor Alien and department heads he
made no personal reference to his re-
cent charge that too many junketing
trips are made to Washington at state
expense.
The statement which Turner filed
with the conference today is to the
effect that both the utilities commits
sion and industrial court can reason
ably cut off $32, 900 a year in expenses.
He would cut thirteen persons from
the list of 81 people now on the pay
roll of the public utilities commission
and reduce contingent fund expenses
$1,000 a year His suggestian also
calls for removal of six of the thirty
nine people on the salary list of the
industrial court and saving of $200
a year in the contingent fund expense.
This action. he says, would leave an
ample corps of employees and persons
to do the work.
Can't Undue Works of Legislature
We can't undo the work of the
legislature" said Governor Allen in
commenting on the Turner statement.
The governor presided at the meeting.
Some of Mr.. Turner's ideas are good.
But they can't get us anywhere. His
public utilities commission suggestion
is purely political. 1t is the same stuff
that was before the legislature and is
merely political propaganda"
Turner did not reply and Governor
Allen promptly called President W.
A. Lewis of the Hays Norman for a
statement regarding that school In
answer to a question regarding recon-
mendations for that school Turner
said he did not want to make each
institution and department a personal
issue. He said he had received letters
tho, concerning the school consolida-
tion work by Prof. Rarick, Much time
was given by President Lewis as to
the value of this service. General
work of the school was discussed and
the normal head said he knew not
where greater economies could be
worked out
Judge HugSins Makes Speech
Then Judge Higgins took the floor
on his own motion.
An officer is more than human II
he can sit here and match issues with
every person from each of these in
stitutions," he said. But there isn't
one of US who does not know that
tnru the changing era something can
not be done to save. I think the audi
tor is wrong in some if his conclusions
REGARDING our department But we
(COutiuUed m