Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1914-02-04
Opposed to Utility Commission

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aspect but old in form, has recently
been raised by the governor He pro-
poses to further complicate and ham
per efficient and economical admins
tration by adding another powerful
and fruitful source Of patronage in
the form of state public utility CON-
mission, the certain result of which
will be to place all public utilities
in the control of the machine.
am unalterably opposed to this
proposal. The time has come to call
halt on the growth of bureaucratic
government, with it's machine affilia.
tions, burdensome taxation and un.
democratic methods.
I stand for the fullest measure of
home rule upon this and all other
questions. The people most vitality
affected by any problem are best
qualified to work out solution. CUES.
tons affecting the entire state should
be handled by the state; while the
smaller units should deal with all
questions local to them.
Criticises Vetoes.
In the utility field two important
steps were taken by the last legis.a-
ture in the passage of the Minnette
and Nolan bills, by overwhelming ma
jorities. Had not the Governor vetoed
these bills and used Tammany meth
DDS to prevent their repassage, we
would now have physical connec-
ton of telephones, and the principle
of local control of utility rates would
be established.
In the last campaign I urged the es-
Enlistment of bureau of experts to
be at the service of state departments
and municipalities, in making investi-
cations and collecting data upon
which to base action in the solution
of all problems of government. urge
such bureau now.
Enlargement of powers of municip-
alities rather than curtailment is the
need. Legislation making clearer the
main features of utility regulation
| valuation, franchise, grants, service
charges and profts,-is the essential
Given this, and access to reliable in
formation, and the municipalities will
work out their own problems better
| than a state commission can do it fol
them, and citizenship will be con
served.
All the evils of machine administra
ton from which our state is suffering
is direct charge upon the productive
energy of the people, and must ulti
mately discourage initiative and han
dicap industry. Bad government be
gets high taxation. To allay the pro
tests of the people against extrava
gance, fertile minds have devised ev
cry conceivable method of indirec
and special taxation, bringing into thu
state treasury millions of dollars an
nually. Even so, the Unsuitable de
mands of the machine for place, pow
er and pelf have compelled an annua
increase of the general tax levy ou
Of all proportion to the increase il
value of taxable property or to the in
crease in population.
Special Taxes Should Pay Stat,
Government.
If the affairs of the state were ad
ministered as pure business enter
prise, they could be conducted upor
the income from special taxes alread,
provided, and the general tax lev,
could be dispensed with. Incompet
ency and inefficiency extract their an
nual toll in tax collections.
The responsibility for government
tai conditions rests equally upon tn,
legislative and executive department.
of the state. The last legislature rec
ognized it's responsibilities in mark
ed degree. Such legislature and :
governor working in harmony can re
generate the state.
'The state cannot live by taxe'
alone" but of the disinterested coop
Grafton and service of it's citizens
Why not eliminate "bossism," brew
cry and special interest domination
Why not reorganize, and re-establisl
integrity and efficiency in govern
ment?
The thoughtful citizen wants this
believe I can render assistance @
value in the solution of the problem,
For this reason I announce my can
didacy for the Office of governor.
-WM E. LEE