Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1913-02-28
in a Public Statement Declares To
Has Been Put in False Light in
Veto of Road Bills
WOULD KEEP ANTE ELECTION PLEDGES
Says legislature Is Pi|ing Up Appropriations
That Will Stdgger Taxpayers Takes
Up States Finances

OLYMPIA, Feb. 27-Gov. Ernest
Lister issued a statement last night
in which he declares that the legisla-
ture apparently is bent on not per
mitting him to carry out his economy
program and that on the contrary it
is attempting to increase the already
excessive appropriations for the con-
duct of the state administration. He
he advocated have not been permit
ted to be brought up for vote, and
that his recommendations for the
abolition of certain departments have
been ignored
Anxious for Good Roads
He declares that he gives way to no
man in desire for good roads for
the state of Washington, but insists
that the present proposed levy of ST.
100000 is too large and that this levy,
added to the big budget bill, will make
a burden too heavy for the taxpayers
to carry.
The governor also points out that
it is not possible for him to cut down
any of the items of the budget pre-
sented to him; that the only power he
has in that respect is that he can cut
out an item entirely, but not reduce
it. He intimatest strongly that were
it not for this fact the budget bill
would be slashed right and left by
him. The statement follows:
'"The impression has gone forth
from certain quarters that l have de-
liberately attempted to create situ-
alton within the last few days which
will result in no legislation being had
this session in the matter of road
construction, and that geenrally l am
placing myself in opposition to ma
jority of the members of the legisla-
ture for political effect. l trust that
this is not a studied attempt on the
part of the responsible parties to
gain partisan advantage, and much
prefer to think that they are not full
ly advised as to all which has occur.
ed in Olympia since my induction in
to office.
There is no more ardent advocate
of good roads than myself; l have
ever been in favor of their construc-
ton. At the same time l am not in
sensible to the fact that at this time
we have not the requisite machinery
for the construction of permanent
highways as the expenditure Of such
vast sums as the legislature proposes
expending would justify the people in
expecting to receive. have stated
this freely before and since my elec-
ton.
Care for Farmers First
81 am still of the opinion that the
first vital necessity is the building
of those roads which will permit the
farmers to get their wares to market.
This is of just as much benefit to
the city man as it is to the farmer,
for he must be enabled to get to the
city to market his wares if he in turn
is to purchase from the merchants.
Holding these views l have favored
only one mill for the state highway
fund, from which the arterial road
ways are to be built, such as those
which go to make the Pacific high
way, and one and one-half mills for
the permanent highway fund which
goes to construct those within the
several counties.
Reduced to figures, this levy would
raise $1,OO0,OOO per year for the con-
struction of roads favored mostly by
automobilists, and $1,5OO,OOO per year
for those which will best serve the
farmers and merchants of the various
sections of the state.
"My views along these lines were
we'll known to the members of the
legislature. The trouble seems to be
that there was a disposition to be-
lieve that l was not sincere or in
earnest in my expression Of them.
To this attitude on the part of some
must be attributed the reason for this
situation as it now exists, and not to
the fact that l have not made known
my desires as some charge at this
time in an attempt to force the mea-
sures which I have vetoed through
both branches over my protest.
Recalls Economy Promises
II was elected governor Of this state
on the strength Of certain promises