The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1915-08-27
Rig Cut in State Expenses.

An administration which has lowered
the expenses of the state for the pres
ent biennial period upward of Sc, 900, 900
would seem to be worth while. That
is what the Philip administration has
done.
Following the policy outlined by the
governor in his campaign and his mes
sage to the legislature, that there must
be economy in all departments and in
situations supported by the state, so
far as this could be done without i'm
pairing efficiency, the finance commit
tee reduced the appropriations nearly
$4,000, 900 over those of two years ago.
Then the governor began investigating
and the result was that he found there
could be still further reduction with
out injuring the service anywhere in
the slightest degree. 1t would only
mean, he discovered, that each institu-
ton and department would have to look
after its expenses just as a business
man would do, and not spend what it
liked, feeling that there was the state
treasury to draw upon. He then in
sisted on further cut of 81, 500, 900.
Hence these millions were cut from
appropriations formerly made, with a
reduction in the tax bills this year.
much as they ought to be, but this was
no fault of the present administration.
Had Gov. Philipp's plan of consolida-
ton been carried out as he wished, the
reduction would have been more pro-
nounced. But for all that there has
been good commencement made along
the lines of a business administration
of state affairs. If this is continued in
hn fol &c
ton but the people will have great rea-
son for rejoicing.
1t must not be thought for moment
that the reductions that can be shown
were obtained just because the govern
or and his supporters wished it. Not
at ALL There was gathered about the
capitol the past months the greatest
lobby that was ever assembled in the
legislative halls and the corridors of
the capitol First there were all the
heads and employees of the departments,
the first not wanting anything that
would curtail their activities or make
them use more care in expenditures,
while the latter feared that their jobs
might be lost. These workers were the
most dangerous for the fact that they
did not have to be registered. Every
wire they could reach was pulled and
every bit of influence they could bring
TO bear on members of the legislature
was used to defeat the administration
program.
There were some notable exceptions,
such as President James o. Davidson
of the state board of control, Dairy and
Food Commissioner Weigle, and Insur-
ance Commissioner Cleary, each one of
whom said that the appropriation in
his department could be reduced beyond
that shown in the recommendation of
the finance committee. For this break
ing of the union rules they were abused
and vilified as undesirable citizens,
some irate members of the assembly
going so far as to bring in resolution
asking them to resign for their temer-
ity in saying that they had more money
than they needed. But this only went
to show the feeling among those hold
ing jobs in the state service, who be-
lieve that once appointed they have a
vested right in the job which cannot be
taken away. This opinion received q
hard shock Still, even when consoli-
dations were made, the ants tried to
tie them down to their places, but did
not succeed further than keep them
there only so long as their places were
continued.-George P. Mathes in the
Milwaukee Sentinel.