Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1912-12-20


president Of the Reno Commercial
Club, outlining q stRtOWid0 movement
for che consideration Of plans to lessen
the expenses Of the state Of Nevada.
Accompanying the letter was . report
from Prof. Romanxo Adams Of the de-
partment of economics Of the Univ0rs-
ity Of Nevada. detailing tie receipts
and disbursements Of the state since
1901. Mr.. Adams also suggests certain
reforms and Senator NOwlands recon-
mends their adoption.
The movement has already received
the sanction of many Of the leading
mon of the state. Il 10 desired that all
boards Of trade, commercial clubs, min
ing, sheep and agricultural associations
and kindred organizations combine in
an effort to aid tho legislators to do
wise means to Lesson state expenses
without impairins tho government of
fIeienoy. ... ...
Senator Newdands' letter, together
with Professor Adams report, follow:
Reno, Nevada. November IL, 1912.
f. ]. Shair, Esq, President Reno Com
mercial Club, Reno Nevada:
My Dear Sir:-As the election Is now
over. it seems proper time to take up
the question of state retrenchment and
an expression Of public opinion which
will be guide to the legislature which
meets January goth. This is all the
more important in view Of the fact
that no party will be In full RESPONSE
blity. The governor is a republi-
can and the legislature will be demo-
cratic. and 1t Is highly desirable that
all parties should unite in a non-parti-
san movement for economy and reform.
The state conventions of the respec-
tive parties held this year devoted
themselves mainly to national affairs,
without definite statements as to state
policies and the members elect of the
legislature, therefore, have no definite
party platform OF a statewide charac-
ter. which would be a guide for their
action. AS many of them will be with
out previous experience in legislation.
much time doubtless will be expended
in organization, in the exchange of
views and in preparation for legislation,
and thus the sixty days session may
slip by without the accomplishment
Of much conclusive work. Then again.
there is the chance of partisan con-
tentions between the executive, belong
ing to one party, and the legislative
department belonging to another, which
might produce confusion.
My observation is that legislators
rarely create public opinion. They
usually follow it. The present diff
Guilty is that whilst public opinion de-
mands fetrenchment and perfection OF
our tax laws, 1t has not formulated tt
self regarding the method or the details
and boundless contrariety of views may
exist as to both. which will delay
sound legislation.
Nla
ture will be held in about two months.
Is 1t not possible during that time to
secure such a public discussion and
consideration Of these questions as to
facilitate the shaping Of a definite re-
trenchment and financial policy which
can be presented both to the governor
and to the legislature as the expression
OF public opinion, and thus serve as
an aid to them in their important
duties? am sure that neither the
governor nor the legislature would re-
sent such action as an intrusion upon
their functions, for both will doubtless
desire to meet the public judgment and
approval In this particular.
Realizing that the time for action is
short, have at various times counsel
ed with numerous men of prominence
In all parties regarding this matter
and have found a very general appre-
citation OF the importance of this work
then inquired of Acting President
Levers of the state university whether
some one OF the faculty connected
with the branch of economics could
not make study of the question, with
view to presenting both the facts
and q suggestion Of remedy. I was in
formed by him that Professor Romanzo
Adams, of the department Of economics
had for some time been studying this
question and was brought by him into
communication with Mr.. Adams, who,
after expressing his great interest In
the subject, volunteered to gather to-
gether as hastily as possible the i'm
portant statistical information and to
prepare tentative proposal regarding
the manner Of dealing with the uues-
ton. I enclose herewith O. COPY of
the letter from Prof. Adams, dated
November 8. 1912. together with a
statement relative to the increase in
expenditures during the decade, 1901
1911. It will be observed that Mr..
Adams puts this forward simply as q
tentative proposal, hastily prepared
with the view of calling attention to
the Importance Of the question and the
necessity Of a more thoroughgoing ex-
animation.
What Arc the Faets7
The salient fact presented by Prof
Adams statement is that within the
ten years from 1901 to 1911 the state
expenditures have increased from 34o7,-
826.22 to 3985.95G67, reaching their
elimination In the year 1909. when the
total expenditures were $f,055, 4074o
1t Ia only fair, however. to say that
during the year 1909 much needed ex-
penditures were made in connection
with permanent improvements at the
state capitol and in various state in
stitutionB.
Thus the expenditures have more
than doubled during this period, but
as shown by Prof. Adams. the increase
of expenditures should not quite keen
pace with the increase In population.
The fact Is the boom times. culminat-
ing in 1907. largely stimulated both
public and private expenditures and
the state government was simply rep-
resentative OF general tendencies dur
Ing thiS period of expansion.
The attention of the public was
strikingly drawn to the necessity for
immediate retrenchment and reform
by the extra session of 1912. which dis
closed considerable deficiency, caused
partly by increased expendituras ond