The Lamar register., 1914-11-18
NEW STATE ADMINISTRATION
Serious State Problems to Be Solved
by New State officials and Legis-
lature

number of serious problems winch IL
must solve if it be successful before
the people of this state. In the first
place, it is pledged to a reduction of
the expenses of the state government.
Under the present system it costs
over twice as much to maintin the
state government as it did under the
last republican administration, The
efficiency is not as good as it was be-
fore. The state is overburdened with
boards, bureaus and useless employees.
Civil service has added another en-
barrassing feature to the situation in
that discrimination must be used in
the wedding out process and the
chances are the least efficient employ
ees may have the strongest pull po-
litically.
Again, the administration is pledg-
ed 10 the mapping out of program
for the construction of good roads. 1t
may not be known generally but the
amendment adopted by the people will
raise 100000 each year for the con-
struction and maintenance of good
roads. This is over one-half of the
amount raised by direct taxation for
the maintenance of the state govern
ment. The amount raised for the
maintenance of the state government
by direct taxation is about 100000.
A;zain, the administration is Dledg-
ed to so amend the initiative and ref
erendum constitutional amendment
that each judicial district will pro-
vide its proportionate share OF all
signatures to all initiated and refer
red measures. Under the present sys-
tenn the signatures can be secured any
place in the state with the result that
the district in Denver bounded by 18th
and Goth and Curtis and the union
depot has furnished over 65 per cent
of all signatures to these petitions.
Thousands of these signatures are
known to have been forged. The party
is pledged to the amendment of the
constitution SO that each judicial dis
trict will furnish its proportion, which
will avoid needless submission and
which will also prevent forgeries, at
least, to a large extent.
Again, the administration is pledg-
ed to state land policy that will ac-
tually place a permanent resident with
his family on each section of our land.
Without doubt this is the greatest
pledge of all. Time and again our
lands have been settled hurriedly,
and the settlers have been compelled
to leave by reason of the fact that
they were unable to maintain live
lihood. The administration is pledged
not only to settle the land but also to
teach the settlers the best way to de-
velop and improve the land.
Again, the administration is pledg-
ed TO a policy that will invite capital
to come to this state. For over six
years the influx of capital into Colo
RADIO has been on the decline. If we
maintain our position with the rest
of the states in the west, we must do
something that will cause capital to
lodge among the opportunities and in
vestments in Colorado. This can be
done through safe, sane and practical
administration of our laws.
Of course, the administration is
pledged to state sovereignty. Time and
again the statement was made that if
George Carlson was elected governor
the national troops can be withdrawn
and the state militia will handle the
situation. There is little doubt but
that the national troops will be with
drawn sometime this month. Just
what will follow can not be predicted
but it is safe to say that if trouble
does come the administration must
handle it in such a way as to estab-
lish state sovereignty and obedience
to law within a very short time, or
the coming two years will be filled
with the same turmoil that has mark
ed the last two.
If the administration handles these
six subjects with the vigor that should
characterize their handling, it will be
a success.