Abilene weekly reflector., 1922-11-16
WHERE IT STARTED


cluttered up with explanations for
the election Of Jonathan Davis as
governor. Some of the explainers are
blaming Governor Aliens recent
speeches; others are blaming the
Klan and others point to Stubbs and
Lambertson who pose as farmers and
prepared the soil for Davis. The In
dustrial court, which was made a
distinct issue, had something to do
with it--but not the court alone. 1t
was rather the manner In which the
court operated that got on the nerves
Of the public a long time ago.
When the court was inaugurated
1t had the support of both parties;
1t was considered reasonable addi-
tion to our statutes, giving as 1t did
to the state power to protect its citi-
zens. Its few calls were handled
easily as part of the work of the
board of public utilities-and even
then the members were not over
worked. Along came the legislature
of 1921 and Governor Allen decided
that what was needed was to make
two boards, one to be the industrial
court. This gave place for Clyde
Reed, his former private secretary,
though 1t made three more $4,000
Jobs and lot Of new expense. The
Legislature was reluctant. The Re-
flector at that time pointed out that
1t was an unnecessary and wasteful
procedure and so did other papers.
However both the representatives
from this county voted for it and at
last the plan was put over. One Of
the judges Of the new court was con-
firmed for four years; one for two,
his term now expiring. One the SEN
ate thought unfit and did not con-
firm; the governor waited until after
adjournment and appointed him any
how. Reed became chairman of the |
utilities board.
One board was not over busy; two
boards had time to burn. The indus
rial court judges were weeks with
,ut any task worth mentioning. One |
Of them stated that he was not even
In what was done, the
other two judges acting without even
talking 1t over with him. The pub
lie utilities board was also with plen-
" of time. Its chairman Travelled |
back and forth to Washington and |
,ther parts of the country with with |
Utmost the regularity of Pullman
least that is the i'm
preston the state got.
Any board or public officer with
tut enough to do is certain to make |
business by doing a lot of things
hat are not necessary and which
merely muddle up affairs. The two
boards with six men and some fifty
'r sixty employees did just this and
he public grew weary. The idea
'ack of the industrial court was right |
tut Kansas did not approve the ex-
'ensive manner in which the system
vas conducted. Topeka could not
ee it-offices look mighty pleasant
t the capital-but out in the coun-
~ thO AuVd bcNuHit CuETtHt lldt /
here were altogether too many of
hem and these two boards were
specially selected as examples.
-
Had the work of the industrial
ourt continued In the hands Of the
ublic utility board and had that
oard stuck to business without mix
lg In politics, without its members
ttending conventions or taking a
and in primaries, It is probable
hat there would have been much
.ss feeling The addition of offices
nd the consequent irritation proba-
ly has wrecked the entire plan Of
a industrial tribunal-at least Mr..
avis says he win wipe the whole
ourt program Of the statute book.
was unfortunate that there was ,
OF greater wisdom In the beginning.