South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-01-07
Rational Economy" is Keynote
of Gov. Ralston's Message to
Members of General A ssen1bly

Il rejoice with you" he said. that
no state in the Union is in a healthier
financial condition than is the com
monwealth you have the impressive
honor OF representing and your watch
ful care over the finances of Indiana
Will. l am confident. be such as TO
bring honor TO future legislatures Of
your state even greater than yon en-
JOY in your representative capacity
Gov. RalStOn recOmm mended equal
ization OF taxes by such laws as would
give the state tax board more power
in the matter of valuatiOns-eQualiZa
ton Of valuations in many instances
is neglected by county boards of re-
view, county auditors, county and
township assessors.
The governor said he was confident
that a considerable saving could be
made in the matter OF the states
printing by the enactment OF an en-
tirely new printing law, without i'm
pairing the efficiency Of the printing
work or the quality of the supplies
furnished the state.
\ hearty Endorsement of the work
done by the public service commission
was contained in the governors mes
sage. Praise was also bestowed upon
ethe state highway commission which
was appointed by the governor. At
tention was called TO the fact that in
the year 1914 SIS, 100000 was spent
for highway Improvement, interest on
bonds, and the payment Of bonds fall
ing due.
Legislation on the recommendation
of the flood commission appointed az
ter the disastrous floods of 1913, was
urged by Gov. Ralston. Legislation
promised in the democratic platform,
including the enactment OF primary
election law, also was urged by the
governor.
Special mention was made by the
governor OF the need of an appropri-
alton to carry on the work at the
state penal farm near Greencastle.
The governor cited the indianapolis
street railway strike of 1913 as rea-
son why the state needs a law Great
ing a board Of arbitration TO settle
labor troubles and avoid strikes and
lOckOuts.
Industrial Legislation.
MY experience with industrial
troubles since coming into the COVER
nor's office" he said, "c0nvinces me
that neither capital nor labor desires
legislation on this subject. They both
seem to fiatter themselves that they
can get the advantage of each other
in q lockout or strike controversy by
winning the public sympathy, realizing
that public opinion is often a con-
trolling factor in disputes OF this char-
acter"
The governor advised the appro-
priation of $1,000 900 10 meet lndiana's
share of the fight against the hoof
and mouth disease waged by the gov
ernment during the latter part of last
year. An appropriation OF $1,000 10
be paid on the order Of the governor
toward the expenses of the state en-
campment of Grand Army of the Re
public veterans was also urged by the
governor.
In introducing his recommendations
to the legislators Gov. Ralston said:
May we not fiatter ourselves that
in original power, in culture and in
moral force our beloved state is ex-
celled by none. Geographically she is
centrally located. In her relation TO
other states she is indeed a sister in
sympathy and patriotic purposes. The
trust committed TO you and me in our
official positions il as sacred as honor
itself, and God helping us, we should
administer that trust by serving our
state in keeping with our highest con-
ception of duty"