Jane Eldredge, freshman state senator from Lawrence, seemed to be making a name for herself in the Legislature. “I think I had anticipated the right set of ingredients,” she said of her brief tenure in Topeka, “but I hadn’t anticipated the high intensity. : It takes more time; there are more pieces of legislation; there are more committee meetings; there are more good people; and there are more frustrations.”

Area wheat seemed to be sprouting in rather healthy condition despite the drought conditions. Experts said good rains at the right time still could produce an outstanding local crop. But they hastily added that rain needed to begin soon. Pastures and hay fields were also at risk. Yet as bad as things were here, conditions were even worse in many other parts of the state and region.

Wheat farmers whose crops failed because of the drought were told to have appraisals made on their losses before destroying the wheat or overseeding it with other crops. Data was needed before any aid could result, said Brian Morray, executive director of the Douglas County ASCS office.