Cheyenne record., 1915-01-14
GOVERNOR {. NJ. AMM0NS' MESSAGE
MEMBERS THE TWENTIETH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
TELLS BENEFITS OF ASSESSMENTS ON FULL CASH
eAsIs-ooEs OVER INDUSTRIAL CONDITIONS AND
TREATS sU6JEcTs LENGTH.
Western Newspaper Union News Service.

Denver, Jan. 9.-Governor Ammons
message was delivered at q Joint ses-
sion Of the Senate and House. Friday
afternoon. In part the Governor SAID:
MR.. PRESIDENT. MEMBERS OF THE
TWENTIETH GENERAL A 8 q M
BLY-LADIEs AND GENTLEMEN:
In obedience to the requirements OF
law l have the honor to submit to
your attention some matters OF I'M
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
$500, 100000 by executive vetoes.
The aggregate Of appropri;;
is1s-is14 was =. :,s.1ss.so2.s2
This amount was reduced
ana reductions ny tno
Leaving the net appropria-
tions for the period -. 2.s9s.62s.4s
The total receipts for the
mates where cash had
not yet been received.
amounted to ............ 035.356.81
Leaving a surplus accord
ing to the auditors re-
port, OF ....... So''Io.o@
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 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 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 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 a 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
the 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 most
sincere desire to prevent tkI 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 diff
ficulties may be adjusted and serious
situations avoided by proper handling
at their incipiency. The constant
watchfulness of such 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
nitude, 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
California Warns Working Women.