The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-01-12

10. State Board of Veterinary Examiners.
IL. Stallion registration.
1. State Fair Association.
Ii. Kansas Free Fair Association.
Ii. Feeding-stuffs inspector.
Is. Fertilizer inspector.
In the case of the State Board of Agri-
culture there is purely voluntary private
corporation subsidized by the state. The
state has no control over the personnel of
the boards officers and only limited
control over the number of offices created.
The board is selected by the Agricultural
Society at the annual meeting of the latter
and according to the wisdom of its voters.
The officers are selected in a similar man
neighborhood Of 5000 a year, but the
state has control over the personnel OF
the spending officers and no control over
such money is spent. obviously this is not
according TO the established principles
which govern the uses and functions OF
The idea of creating a department of
agriculture, which should embrace all the
just consideration of its activities in this
state, has been often discussed, and l be-
lieve the time is now ripe for such a con-
solidation. In conference with members
of the livestock commission, the state
board of agriculture, the state board of
horticulture and others1 / have gained
the impression that 1t is possible in this
legislature to harmonic the wishes of
these various groups and toscreate de-
partment of agriculture which shall have
the proper relation to the state govern
ment, the broad powers it deserves and the
right distribution of effort to the various
bureaus which such a department would
administer. Nothing is more needed at
this time than to place the agricultural
problems, so far as state government may
consider them under comprehensive and
responsible power. The subjects which re-
late to the steady advancement of the farm
and to the very life of his industry de-
mand from us the very best attention, the
highest degree of cooperation and the ut
most safeguards against the danger that
at any time such department should
ever fall victim to the vieissitudes of
political blight.
The present organization Of the board
has one strong feature to recommend
it The board of agriculture, it is now
organized, is relatively free from partisan
political influences and the Interruptions
which are likely to occur when there is
change in government In the creation of
the department of agriculture it would
doubtless be easy to protect this feature
and at the same time place the interests of
agriculture in proper relation to the state
There will be presented to the legislature
for its consideration upon this problem. in
due time, special message with the out
lines of proposed law
To do away with needless duplication
Of inspection work and to cut down I'M
necessary overhead expense L believe there
could be effected a consolidation of the
various lines of inspection into a fewer
number of inspection agencies.
The inspection now done by some phases
of the board of health, the office of the
fire marshal, the insurance department,
the industrial welfare commission. the
hotel commissioner and by the state board
of review might be so correlated that
some saving would be had and increased
efficiency would result. The subject of
correlating these miscellaneous activities is
worthy of study.
The Court of Industrial Relations.
believe that the principles of the indus
trial court law have become established in
Kansas and that some of our neighboring
states are likely in the legislative sessions
this winter to write into their statutes
somewhat similar provision for industrial
courts. The Kansas court of industrial
relations has worked under a severe handi-
cap, which has robbed it of an opportunity
to rest it's fate upon its own merits. 1t
was established as a court to find solution
for industrial controversies and to protect
the public against the waste and danger of
industrial war. 1t was meant to be court
of human relations, not a board of public
utilities.
Because of desire to save the cost Of an
additional body, the industrial court was
given the administration of the old public
expressed by the presiding officer of the
utilities board, that the heavy work of
administering the public utilities law
might hamper the work of the court. This
fear has been fulfilled. Public utilities
work has increased that the court has
been robbed of the opportunity to do more
than care for the acute industrial cases .
court has had at its disposal for industrial
work and public utilities work, it is only
$50 public utilities cases and % industrial
cases docketed.
If the court of Industrial relations Is to
work out the big real purpose Of its exist
ence, 1t will need to be relieved of the bur-
den of public utility regulation 1 shall
take the libery of presenting further views
upon this subject in a special message.
workmen's Compensation.
Two years ago I called the attention OF
the members to the need Of a better work
mems compensation law. The law under
which we are now operating does not, IN
my Judgment, meet the requirements OF
justice in q state where the industrial life
is growing. In the crowded days of the
last session 1t vas not felt that time could
be given to the proper study of all the
phases which should be considered in max
ing new law. To give the legislature the
benefit of a deliberate study of the Ques-
ton, a special commission was appointed
something over a year ago and asked to
make a recommendation to be used in this
session of the legislature. The members
of this special commission are representa-
tives of employment in all activities, ana
representatives of labor. They have pre-
pared a bill which in my Judgment would
mark very great advancement in work
mems compensation.
Having in mind that social unrest re-
spends quickly to social justice, l strongly
urge that the legislature give careful at
tention to this measure. in order that Kan
sas may treat this subject with modern
efficiency and equity.
Tho fhrae iunDortant factors N tho