Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1913-02-13
THE WAYS AND MEANS
COMMITTEE TALKS
Says 1t Is Doing Its Work COnscien-
tiOusIy and as Rapidly as Con-
ditiOns VIII Permit.

the house, to which was referred the
governors message of yesterday, to-
day made a defense from the COVER
nor's charge in report to the house,
in which it intimates that Governor
West is playing to the galleries. The
report reads as follows:
early in the session Governor West
announced through the public press
that he was preparing a chart which
would indicate by means of red line
the maximum amount of appropria-
tions which he would approve. Your
committee has been patiently and anx-
iously awaiting the appearance Of
such chart, with the hope that it
would be of assistance to us in our
arduous task.
"In the meantime we have visited
practically all Of the many state in
stitutions and made a conscientious
examination into the merits of the ap-
preparations requested for improve
ments and maintenance. These insti-
tutions are located in different sec
tions of the state and some are equal
in area and population to many of the
smaller cities of our state, so you can
understand that our task has been no
small one.
while we are informed by the gov
ernor that appropriations for these in
stitutions are fixed charges, we do
not consider the entire budgets as
prepared by the State Board, and we
have recommended cuts in these ap-
preparations, covering new buildings
and extra equipment, aggregating
nearly million dollars. We regret
that Governor West has seen fit tc
charge that your committee has been
holding these appropriations in cold
storage as we have been honest in
! our endeavors to protect the taXpay.
. ers Of the state from unnecessary ant
excessive appropriations, and we insist
that good business and the interests
of the people Of the state of Oregon
demand that we do not use undue
questionable appropriations ranging
in sums from a few thousands to {
half million dollars.
"Inasmuch as we have succeeded il
reducing appropriations for these stat,
institutions, which are to be termed
fixed charges, nearly a million dol
lars from the amount of the budget
which bore the commentator Of tn
board, Of which the governor is tn
head we feel that the charge of vast
ing time on our part is unfounded an
unjust to your committee.
with reference to special appro
priation bills introduced in the tw
houses Of this legislature, these bill
were all considered by other commit
, tees before coming to us, so we di
not receive them until late in the ses
sion.
1--WE would call your attention t
the fact that the session of the Orego
legislature is the shortest in tn
Union, with two exceptions. With tn
nnorp,nug Ia orooco L., tbo os,,,v,tI, az,
business of the state the time given Il
is too short to intelligently handl
the business of the legislature and Civ
the appropriations requested the care
full consideration which the peopl
Of the state, who pay the bills, are er
titled to. We are sincere in our dt
sire to act on every measure as bus
ness policy would prompt MS in II
conduct Of our private affairs, and "
are surprised that the chief executil
Of the state Of Oregon should atteml
to influence the members against tn
policy, by trying to force hasty a.
tion.
One reason for the apparent slov
ness Of your committee has been Il
fact that, in addition to the time thj
we have spent in personal investig
tion your committee has had to 81,
a hearing for arguments and explan
tion Of the needs Of all the appropri
tlons from the heads Of the state II
stltutions, as well as from delegation
from organizations and commerci
clubs and other individuals from a
parts Of the state, who are interest,
in measures before your committe
1--WE have been too busy TO play
the galleries, but have been doing o.
duty to the best Of our ability, al
when our record at this sessit
Is made, showing that we have be-
able, by careful and conscientioi
work TO save the people Of the sta
approximately %0OO,OOO, we are vii
ing that the people shall Judge Of O'
work"
The message is signed by ], D, A
bolt, w, o. Smith, NJ d. Potter s.
Hughes, L. l.. Mann, John II. Carki
Roy Graves.
ho MARRIED.