The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1914-05-21

appropriate or pay out single penny
of state funds without legislative di
rection act the only fund placed at
his disposal is his contingent fund OF
$4,000. The only practical solution is
the budget system and I ask the tax
payers Of this state to join me in my
effort to secure for them intelligent
supervision over all state expendi.
lures by the adoption of such a sys.
tenn. This is the only way in which
the state will secure economy in max
ing appropriations and I submit that
no other practical and effective plan
: has been suggested.
Distribution Of State Funds.
In the collection and distribution OF
school and road funds, the country
sections are favored as compared with
the large cities. This is a just pro-
vision because the rural sections in
return contribute to the wealth of the
cities.
Hennepin, Ramsey and st. Louis
counties paid into the state treasury
In all forms Of taxes during the year
1913, $2,433,33S.69 and received as their
share Of the state allotment for
school and road purposes in the az.
gregate only $7SS,S95.S5. This is less
than one-third Of the amount paid.
The other two-thirds was distributed
as school and road aid among the
other elgnxy-tnree counties. AS re-
suit, eighty Of the eighty-six counties
In the state received back from the
state nearly twice as much money as
they pay in all FERNS of taxes. while
Rennepin, Ramsey and st. Louis coun-
ties, inclultug the large and prosper
Gus cities. receive less than one-third
of the amount paid.
The greatest increase in state taxes
this year Is caused by the one mill
road tax which was passed in accord
ance with the constitutional amend
nanf adopted by the people at the last
general election In the distribution
of this fund the country shares ex.
ceptional1y well Hennepin, Ramsey
and st. Louis counties pay into the
state road and bridge fund $694,227. 90
and receive as their share of the al.
lotment only s105,0O0.00. These large
counties pay nearly $500 for every
dollar they receive In return, and the
s589,227.06 surplus paid by them is
distributed throughout the state, so
that the rural counties receive on an
average nearly three times as much
money from the road and bridge fund
as they contribute.
Reorganization Of the State Depart
nrents in the interest Of ECONOMY
and Efficiency.
In my message to the legislature of
1911. entered into an extensive dis
cussion of reorganizing the state de-
partments. emphasized especially
the importance of simplifying the ad-
ministration by the elimination of q
large number Of boards or commits
sions which the legislature from time
to time had created for the purpose
Of keeping step with the rapid prog
ress of the state. I cited a number
OF instances to show that the old sys-
tenn was not only expensive but i'm
practicable, because it lacked the two
essential elements of successful bust
ness administration, namely: CO.
operation and definite fixing of
responsibility. After a very careful
consideration Of this matter recon-
mended the division of the state ad-
into four great subdivi.
sions or departments, namely: public
domain, public health and safety, edu-
cation. and revenue and accounting.
In my message to the legislature of
1913 again strongly urged this re-
in the following Ian.
guage:
"One Of the most important recon-
mendations OF my last regular mes
sage was the reorganization of our
state departments. My further expert
ence In administrative affairs of this
state has convinced me more strongly
than ever that this reorganization is
Of utmost importance. For more than
half a century we have operated in
the administration of our state affairs
under a system unbusinesslike both in
principle and application. The state
should be administered under the
best approved business methods
with economy and efficiency com.
bined. In the business world of TODAY
these methods have long since passed
the experimental stage and we no
longer need to grope in ignorance or
uncertainty, but proceed to the adop-
lion OF business methods more eco
lomical in application and with far
greater efficiency as to results"
My experience in discussing these
questions with the members of the
legislature convinced me that the first
step to be taken was the development
IT favorable public sentiment. ]
therefore, concluded to appoint a vol
lntary commission of thirty-one public
spirited. broad minded, earnest and
men, without party distinc
ions, and without reference to per
'onal friendship, who would without
compensation consider the entire
problem of reorganization and present
definite plan to the legislature OF
.915.
Inc report =. The commission Is