The Keota news., 1915-01-15
GOVERNOR {. NJ. AMMONS' MESSAGE
DELIVERED MEMBERS THE TWENTIETH GENERAL AseeMe
TELLS BENEFITS AssEssMENTs ON full cAs6
sAsis-ooEs INDUSTRIAL CONDITIONS AND
TREATS sUsJEcTs At LENGTH

TREATS OF MANY 81
Western Newspaper Union News Service.
Denver. Jan. 9.-Governor Ammons
message was delivered at joint ses-
sion Of the Senate and House. Friday
afternoon. In part the Governor said:
MR.. PRESIDENT. MEMBERS OF THE
TWENTIETH GENERAL AS s e ~
BLY-LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
In obedience to the requirements OF
law l have the honor to submit TO
your attention some matters OF lm-
portance suggested by the experience
Of the last two years. Previous legis
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 were reduced
appropriations we're kept down and
were still further reduced more than
5000, 100000 by executive vetoes.
ins s,.en: ens'efas' for q the s'pid pperiod i.
rhis lsls.ns1. .moans va. va. reduced '''i''''0''
In unexpended balances
and reductions by the
LEAVING aSds1t tho net appropria: 0
tions for the period -. 2.sss.e:s.4s
The total receipts for the
mates where cash had
not yet been received.
amounted to .......: 3.o3s.sss.Sl
Leaving n surplus. accord
ing to the auditors re-
port. or Se's So.Ss
At the beginning Of my term the
general tax situation was in a chaotic
condition and circumstances rendered
1t imperative that assessments be
made according to law on a 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 q decrease In levies proper
tionate to the increase In valuations.
allowing, however. . small percentage
Of increase to meet the demands OF
growth and emergencies. Under the
constitutional provision and it, 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 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 q practical. SEN
sible basis Of property taxation with
centralized body Of state officials
fully empowered to correct errors
wherever found and enforce equality
of state taxes.
The report Of the bank commissioner
lends much encouragement to the
hope Of better business conditions In
tle future. Notwithstanding the gen,
eral adverse financial conditions over
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 mos.
sincere desire to prevent the recur-
renee Of trouble In the future the i'm
perative necessity Of legislation to con-
troll industrial disputes Ii urgently
suggested. Through the establishment
Of an Industrial commission. minor diff
ficulties may be adjusted and serious
situations avoided by proper handling
at their incipiency. The constant
watchfulness Of such . commission. it,
investigation Of working conditions.
its fairness in the disposition Of com
plalrt. and Sta antfc1nafinn NJ threat