The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-07-29
is FOR ECONOMY
Fred w. Knapp Defines His
Position on Many Questions.
Would Let Kansas Cities Con-
troll Own Public Utilities.

Fred W. Knapp has issued a formal
statement defining his position regard
ing a number oe proposed economies
and the program which he would
make effective if enabled to do so
as governor. Ills statement is an ap-
peal to the voters for support and
the program which he puts forth at
this time is in substance the state
ment which he made before the state
league at its meeting in Topeka last
winter.
Knapp has received the endorse
ment of the state federation of labor
for the Republican nomination for
governor. He was formerly secretary
of the state board of control, served
one term as chief clerk of the house,
and was elected state auditor in 1915,
serving from 1917 until 1921.
Knapp's Statement.
In his statement TO the voters
Knapp says:
TO REPUBLICAN VOTERS:
have not burdened the press with
claims or statements either from myself
or my friends and do not intend so doing
but as decision day is near, l would like
to use the space in brief discussion of
the issues to be decided.
Last January 1 announced my candidacy
FOR the Republican nomination for COVER
nor upon definite and specific platform
l called attention to the fact that our state
tax had doubled since 1918; that the direct
doubled since 1915: and that the total tax
burden mot including license fees or fed
eral taxesl had jumped from thirty to
seyenty-five million dollars in Kansas
since the beginning of the war in 1914.
1 pointed out that this abnormal in
crease must be checked and that the only
way to accomplish that end was thru a
return to a simpler and more economic
administration of public business; That
tapping and duplicating of work; too
many boards and commissions and too
ness, will be freely admitted by every
fairminded citizen. have endeavored to
make oTSr plain to ytes
of requiring their citizens to travel to
ties commission. II this were done two
members and most of the clerical and
ssngidn.eering force t OF this commission could
receive more responsive government and
better results.
commission as the only effective method
of stopping the further hard-surfacing of
as the cost of these roads, Justify going
ahead with sane and reasonable program.
l am opposed to the new sixty million
dollar bond issue unless it is first sub
mitted to a vote of the people of the state.
believe that the supervision of our
state institutions should be left in the
hands of the constitutional officers whom
we elect to manage the states business,
(retaining the present business manager
feature) instead Of being passed on down
to n board.
I believe that our present crime wave Is
partially due to the loose and free use of
the parole and pardon
1 am convinced that the various agricul-
tural activities should be centered under
one strong commissioner of agriculture.
This would result in unification of this
work and n large saving in the cost or
printing and distributing duplicating and
1 favor abolishing the industrial court
for the reason that it has been given
either prevent strikes or adjust differences
between capital and labor in the limited
number of industries over which 1t has
jurisdiction. We have had the coal strike
for four months and the railroad strike
for one month and they will neither of
settled nationally. If the voters desire a
law against ''picketing" or making 1t a
crime TO express an opinion, simple i. STAT
the necessity OF all this expensive ma
Looking at this court in IT'S most
total accomplishments except to breed hos
rility and discord by attempting to drive
r. with t pig that 10 be sSond be com
PEELED to work regardless Of the treatment
IF his employer.
1 stand squarely upon this program as
offering the only definite relief proposed
1y any candidate for governor nave
ived in Kansas over A years; have had had /
house of 1905. secretary of the state
BOARD of control of charitable institutions
rom 1905 to 1911 and as state auditor FOR
our years. 1 am perfectly willing that
he voters should examine my record as
i citizen and public official and determine
whether or not there has been anything
in my tendencies. III you favor |
-educing the cost of government, 1 will |
appreciate your cooperation in eliminating |
tome of these useless appendices by your i
-ote on August 1.
1 may not be able to qualify as dirt"
'armer but 1 believe 1 am equipped to |
make as large a hole in the tax receipts !
# the farmers as well as all other tax
payers without Gripping any necessary in |
Ititution or department any other can /,
lidate and this should prove more salts |
nctory than attempting to turn the lawn |
II the executive residence into an agricul- |
uraI demonstration farm. !
FRED W. KNAPP.