Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1915-03-26
ROASTED ECONOMY"
SCORED BY LISTER
GOVERNOR SHOWS FOURTEENTH
LEGISLATURE THE MOST EX-
PENSIVE IN HISTORY.

Washington's fourteenth legisla-
ture, proudly heralded by Republic
ans as economical" was severely
scored from the standpoint of "econ-
omy" by Governor Ernest Lister this
week in a message on the supple
mental legislative appropriation bill
of $4,000, in which he pointed out
that from the standpoint of general
expenses it had been the most eX-
pensive legislature in the states his
tory, the appropriations for general
purposes. excluding printing, total
ing 100000.
"The regular session of the legis-
lature III 1909" the governor said in
q lengthy message, "cost for the same
purpose practically sS4,365.3O. for
1917 $4,000 and for 1913 $87,212.
In other words, the records show that
the cost for general expenses of the
legislature just closed has been larger
than that Of any preceding regular
session.
And then, near the close Of his
message, he said: Were 1t not for
the fact that there are number of
employees of the legislature who have
not yet received their pay for serv-
ices rendered, this bill would be
vetoed. 1t would be unfair. how
ever. to these persons to compel them
to wait two years or until relief
bill might be passed by some sue
ceeding legislature to cover the
amonts due them"
All of which prompted the COVER
nor to state in the course of his mes
sage:
"It is Just such conditions as these
that will eventually bring about a
radical change in the management Of
public affairs; change that will
bring together men in legislative as
semblies whose first desire will be
to care for the state and its inter-
ests and not make paramount de-
sire to build up a partisan machine
for political party"
Message Very Emphatic.
The governors message, one OF
the most emphatic statements he has
made on matters connected with the
last legislature. was as follows: 80
II am herewith handing you sen
ate bill No. 394 with my approval
This is An act appropriating the sum
of $4,000 or SO much thereof as
may be necessary for the expenses OF
the fourteenth legislature
"On the opening day of the legis'
lative session an appropriation OF
$4,000 was made by the legislature
for its expenses. Apparently as the
session drew near close 1t was
found that this amount would moi
be sufficient, and the bill before me
appropriating an additional $4,000
for the same purpose passed the sen
ate on March 10.
"The total of these two bills makes
an appropriation of 100000 for thu
general expenses of the legislature
This does not include the cost OF gen
eral printing, nor the cost OF thu
house and senate journals, thes'
items being covered in other appro
priation bills. l have called for In
formation from the state auditor, tn
secretary of the state senate and tn
chief clerk of the house and hav'
checked up, as fully as possible, tn
expenditure Of the legislature 30 tina
/ might know about how much o
the $4,000 appropriated in this bill
Will be used. Their figures seem t
indicate that between $4,000 an
$4,000 Of this appropriation will b
required. II the appropriation
used to the extent of $1,000 1t Will
+. make cost for general legislativ
expenses during the session JUS
0osed of approximately $9b,Ooo.
"The regular session Of the legis
lature in 1909 cost for the same pu'
pose practically, $84.365.S0; 10
1911, $4,000, and for 1913. $S7
212.96. In other words, the record
show that the cost for general e'
penses OF the legislature just close
has been larger than that OF any pr
ceding regular session.
Recalls ECONOMY" Talk.
"Prior to the meeting of the legi
1afUro wo woro jnfOrmed that tn