The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1915-01-16
Am MMONS' MESSAGE
DELIVERED TO MEMBERS OF THE
TWENTIETH GENERAL
ASSEMBLY.
Tells Of Benefits Of Assessments on
Full Cash Basis; Goes Over Indus
trial Conditions, and Treats of
Many Subjects at Length.


message was delivered at Il joint SEES
sion OF the Senate and House, Friday
MIR. PRESIDENT. MEMBERS OF THE
TWENTIETH GENERAL a : $ E NJ
RLl-LADlES AND GENTLEMEN:
In obedience to the requirements OF
your attention some matters OF inl-
poltanCe suggested by the experience
OF the last two years. Previous lesls-
lation had added hundreds of thous-
sands of dollars to the fixed charges
OF the state without providing ade~
quate revenues TO meet them. By cur
failing some of the departments
through strict economy because OF
greater efficiency secured By placing
the several bureaus under civil serv-
ice, public expenditures We're reduced
appropriations We're kept down and
Were still further reduced more than
100000 90 by executive yetoes.
The aggregate of appropri
l9l3-lsl4 was ....,..... sS,l69, ,3o2 %
This amount vas reduced
IN uneXprnded alances
auditor ..............'.,. I7o,67+t4
Leaving the net approprla-
lions for the period ,... 2,ayS s2s.4S
Thu total receipts for the
period, including estl-
mates where cash had
a%ounted 5'%v nSt Poen to .! reF9'Ve'' s5e.sl
leaving surplus. accord
poft. of ....,.........,. 3G72S32
At the beginning OF my term the
general tax situation was in a chaotic
condition and circumstances rendered
it imperative that assessments be
made according TO law on full cash
basis Previously, property had been
assessed on one third OF its value. To
provide against undue increase in
taxes the General Assembly provided
by law for decrease in levies proper
tionate to the increase in valuations,
allowing, however, a small percentage
of increase TO meet the demands of
growth and emergencies. Under the
constitutional provision and its inter
probation by the courts equalization Of
valuations was practically impossible.
To correct this defect and perfect the
present system CONSTITUTIONAL
amendment, was submitted, and voted
by the people, requiring values to be
equalized on a full cash basis, and to
secure that end to increase or lower
any county assessment or to change
any items to their just figure without
affecting other property or counties.
For the first time in the history OF
the state we are upon practical, SEN
sble basis of property taxation with a
centralized body of state officials
fully empowered to correct errors
wherever found and enforce equality
of state taxes.
The credit of the state is excellent; ;
a levy of less than three mills on the
present valuation would pay Off every
dollar of bonded Indebtedness. Even
at a time of great financial stringency
the state was able, until interfered
with BY some of its own Off
cals to place 40 certificates at par
Tor the purpose OF suppressing insur-
rection. The nation wide depression
in business and the discouraging eff
closed make it nee es sary to keep pub
lie expenditures at the lowest point
consistent with efficient service, and
appropriations should be kept down ac-
cordingly.
The report of the bank commissioner
lends much encouragement to the
hope OF better business conditions in
the future. Notwithstanding the gen
Il al
the country, the resources of Colorado
banks have practically held their own
during the past year while the state
banks have actually made an increase.
With no intention of re-stirring the
bitterness OF the past but with most
sincere desire to prevent the recur-
renee of trouble in the future the i'm
perative necessity of legislation to con
troll industrial disputes is urgently
suggested. Through the establishment
of an industrial commission, minor dif-
ficu1ties may be adjusted and serious
situations avoided by proper handling
at their incipiency. The constant
watchfulness of such a commission, its
investigation OF working conditions.
its fairness in the disposition OF COM
plants and its anticipation Of threat
ened discord will very generally en-
able it to settle satisfactorily ordinary
difficulties. Disputes OF interstate mag
ntude or whose control Is beyond the
boundaries OF the state in which they
occur should be regulated by congress
sional action. Our state is entirely
capable of handling local disturbances
but it is Just as much the function and
duty of the federal government to reg
ulate and control interstate industrial
disputes as it is to regulate and con-
lrol interstate commerce.
! have been unable TO find any law
now in force which could successfully
cone with situation such as the re-
cent Colorado strike. Arbitration was
impracticable. The strike was called
to unionize the mines, and neither side
to the controversy would submit that
matter to arbitration and agree to
nbide by the result. Compulsory arbi-
tration was impossible because no law
has heen devised by which awards can