Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-01-12

ready developed nearly to the extent Of \
its limited field. The second is pro-
duction Of something not manufactured /
by free labor elsewhere in Oregon; an
example of this policy is found at the
Minnesota Penitentiary, where the con-
victs not only pay their own way Dut
actually show a substantial profit |
through the manufacture of farm ma
chinery.
"0utside the prison walls the con
Wet labor might well be employed in
the construction of state highways.
Such work would add materially to our
assets; it would take nothing from free
labor, being construction that otherwise
would not, and could not, be under. |
taken; and it would add but slightly /
to the cost of the institution, in camp
upkeep and extra guards, an increase
greatly oyerbalanced by the benefits de-
rived. Also, the state has some seven
hundred acres of stump land and one
thousand acres of undrained land ALI
located conveniently to the peniten-
tiary, which shonld be grubbed and
drained and placed in high state of
cultivation.
cor the 49, inmates Of the peniten-
tiary in December, 300 were serving
first term, and 200 were under thirty
years of age. At present there is no
way of segregating the youthful first
offender from the hardened criminal so
that in a great measure the state is
conducting a school of crime, as the
novice quickly imbibes the spirit of the
veteran crook, and much of his knowl- !
edge. Sufficient financial assistance
should be rendered the institution to
alleviate this condition, and make rea.
sonable segregation possible.
States Resources.
"0f late we have devoted large sums
to the exploitation of the state s re-
sources. An organized publicity cam
paign has been conducted, its double
purpose to make known Oregon at.
fractions throughout the world, and TO
bring settlers and investors to the
state 1t is my judgment that the time
has come to transfer some of tlis ef.
fort into other channels. Rather than
continuing so strenuously our endeavor
to draw people here, let us devote more
of our zeal, and more Of our money, in
establishing them after they arrive.
Today Oregon s greatest need is
payrolls. The development of manufac-
turing will provide wages for many Of
car immigrants, and they, in turn, will
supply markets which will make profit.
able the agricultural development un.
dertaken by others.
81 propose that you authorize the
appointment of an unsalaried commit.
tee Of seven experienced business men
whose duty it snail be to investigate
the possibilities of profit to Oregon s
existing institutions, and the establish
ment Of new Oregon industries, created
by the pending changes in internation-
al trade and manufacture due to the
European war, the shifting economic
conditions produced by the Panama ca-
nal, and our rapidly enlarging com.
mercial openings in South America and
the Orient. And suggest that some
portion of the money hitherto devoted
to publicity be placed at the disposal
Of this committee for the employment
Of an expert VINO shall devote his time
to its work, under the supervision Of
its members.
&" In other directions we shold avail
ourselves Of every opportunity to pro-
mote and encourage commercial invest.
ment and development in the state. BY
overwhelming votes at the last election
the people evidenced their hostility TO
drastic Legislation likely to harass le.
gitimatc business enterprise The com.
mercial activities should he frowned
upon, aud every effort made toward the
speedy and fair development of Ore.
gon s resources.
Corporation Commission.
under this general head IL seems adj
visable reference should be made to the
office Of corporation commissioner. Dur.
ing The biennium this department mas
produced profit Of more than 100000
in fees collected over and above ex.
penses. While such revenue is admir-.
able the fact should not be ignored
that the primary function Of this bureau
is not the creation of revenue but pro-
lection G investors and the general
public. II is most unwse, IL seems 20
me, that unduly harassing restrictions
be imposed upon corporate activity, for
nothing that tends 10 discourage legiti.
mate investment should be sanctioned.
Further, II appears that in some direc.
tions there is q tendency to inflict hard.
ship upon business enterprise by re-.
quiring too many and too exhaustive
reports the cost Of whose preparation
must ultimately be borne by the tax.
payers
Educational Institutions.
"rhc public schools are truly the bul.
wark Of our civilization, and, as such,
merit our most hearty interest and SUI.
port, The rural schools are suffering
fG the want Of efficient teachers, nor
, Is II difficult to ascertain why. Each
year Oregon requires over one thousand
trained instructors, but we produce,
through our normal scaool, but approx.
imatcly one'tcnth Of that number.
Therefore, II seems to me gool business
for Oregon schools and for Oregon tax.
payers in the final analysis that more
generous support he lent to our instim.
tions for the training Of teachers here
In Oregon.
The state university agricultural
co'cgo aud normal school are doing ex.
ccllont work and are receiving generous
support. / would suggest, however, to
the boards of regents, Of these institu.
lons that the most rigid economy com.
mengurate with efficiency he obgervp1.