Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1914-01-23
WILL NEVER FAVOR
RECLA|MING BY STATE
State Treasurer Kay Believes That
Such Action is Not According to
Constitution.
IF STATE STARTS SPENDING
WILL BE NO STOPPING PLACE
Also Says He Will Oppose an Amend
ment to State Constitution Which
VIII Make It Possible.

Declaring that the trainers of the
state constitution were wise in making
provision prohibiting the state appro-
priating money for local improvements,
State Treasurer Kay announced today
that, as a member of the desert land
board, he never would favor the re-
claiming of land by the state.
Believing the reclaiming of lands
and the work of the board probably
will receive much attention in the
coming campaign, Mr., Kay desires that
the voters thoroughly understand his
position, and his reasons for opposing
the plan of Governor West to have the
state do the work alone in some in
stances, and the state and federal gov
ernment do it in others.
"The constitution prohibits the state
appropriating money for local improve.
ments, such as bridges, roads, etc, .
said Mr.. Kay. "I believe that the ap.
preparation by the state Of money for
reclaiming lands-such as the appro.
priation for the Tumalo project
would come under this provision of the
constitution.
Millions Would Be Needed.
"1f the state starts spending money
in this way there will be no stopping
place, as it would require millions OF
dollars to irrigate all lands, and / dc
not believe in opening the door to
spend the states money for such pur,
poses, nor do believe in amending the
constitution so that the state can bond
itself for irrigation work, building
roads, or for any other purpose,
"The various subdivisions of the
state, such as cities, school district,
and counties are now permitted to bond
themselves, and do bond themselves
for such purposes, and whenever the
bars are thrown down permitting the
state to issue bonds every locality will
be vieing with each other to get as
much state money for such purposes
as is possible, and they will not be
conservative along these lines, as would
be if the tax thus created were more di
rect. Under the proposed plan it would
not be many years until our state
which, under constitutional provisions
has been kept free Of debt, would be
issuing millions and millions of dollar;
for various purposes.
Amendment Not Wanted.
ri think the trainers of the consti
tuition were wise in prohibiting the
state from bonding itself and spending
money for local purposes. It will be 0
sorry day for Oregon when this consti
tutional provision is repealed. hope
any proposed amendment to the consti
tuition providing for such bonds will bt
defeated, and l feel certain that it viii
be defeated if the title of the bill il
made clear, so the people will know just
what the proposition is.
"The reclamation Of the desert landi
in this state, in my opinion, is proper
work for the federal government to do
as it is doing in most other states.
At an important meeting of tho
desert land board early this weel, Mr.
Kay voted against two resolutions in
troduced by Governor West--one pro
viding for the reclamation Of the nortl
canal unit Of tho Central Oregon Irri
CATION company's project and another
virtually committing the state TO thu
policy of the governor.