The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1914-02-05
REVIEWS ECONOMY
OF TWENTY YEARS
John Pardee, Secretary Of Efficiency
Commission, Recites Views Of
Former Governors of Minnesota
go SLOW" IN EVERY MESSAGE
But Never Have Shown Where Legis-
lature Could Cut Down Expenses
Other Recommendations

-Other Recommendations :
Economy is n of the .grandest
words in the language of state.
Every political platform declares for
the utmost economy consistent with
adequate administration. II it was
left out it would be savorless.
3 Running back over the governors
messages. for twenty years, economy
has been a favorite topic. IL
Take Nelson. One may say with
out fear of contradiction that Sena-
tor Nelson is a very level headed
man. Gov. Nelson is '93 said the state
needed more money for the food and
dairy department and the dairy
school, an extension of the railroad
and warehouse commissions juris-
diction, a new appropriation to fight
grasshoppers and chinch bugs, more
money to buy lands in Itasca park,
a new insane hospital, a new build
ing at Faribault, and practically a
new plant at the University.
But, says he, go slow; remember
times are hard. "Let me urge upon
you the Importance of exercising
economy"
But Don't Spend Any Money.
Governor Clough in 1897 had a
similar catalogue of needs. State
aid for rural schools, then an innova-
ton; extensive improvements at the
university; anything the agriculaur-
al school asks; a sugar bounty-and
If the constitution had not frowned
upon 1t no doubt the recommended
ton would have been adopted-a new
plant at the fair grounds, in. danger
of fire; state aid for county roads; a
prison for women, which is not yet
provided; more room at the crowded
institution for detectives; enlarge
ment of the factory act; cooperation
with the State immigration ~associa-
ton, a voluntary body.
But, says he, go slow; remember
times are hard. "The situation calls
for the smallest appropriations con-
sistent with the economical adminis-
tration of the many and varied inter-
ests committed to u care"
In retiring, Governor Clough men,
toned only two items of expense, one
the totally inadequate provision for
the public examiners office, mig
gardly," he called it, and the other
the care of the insane, where "no
question of expense should stand in
the way of their possible recovery"
Equalize the Burden.
Governor Lind dwelt more on the
efficiency argument than he did on
economy of expenditure. He allowed
we might as well make up our minds
to increasing budgets and urged
rather a study of fair taxation so the
burdens might be equitable. He
made his share Of recommendations
for spending more money.
Governor Van SAINT in 1901 started
with the ADMIRATION, "I urge you to
practice the strictest economy and
the most careful investigation OF
every appropriation"
He suggested at the same time
more money for drainage, more
money for the university and the
schools, a new forestry SYSTEM, a
state system of good roads.
Two years later in addition to the
urgency of economy, he spoke of the
unsatisfied needs Of the game and
fish commission, the public examin-
.er, the state superintendent, the for
estry board, the tuberculosis COM
mission, the state capitol, the Vicks-
burg Memorial, and the publishers
who. had spent $4,000 for the ses-
sion laws without legislative au-
thority. .
Always More Needed.
Van SAINTS final recommendations
on leaving We're for a new prison
site, a separate training schools for
girls, an increased appropriation for
timber trespass cases, more money
for the drainage commission, morl
money for the schools, more money
for the fish and game commission, a
e appropriation for BURNSIDE for
est.
Governor Johnson thought they
ought to go slow. "The auditors es-
tiate leaves a very narrow margin
unless they should increase the tax
leyy-"a situation that should be