The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-02-18
A Crying Evil in Maine

4 Crying Evil in Maine
1t is very evident that the greatest
pressure ever brought to bear on any
/ Legislature for increased appropria-
tons and increase in salaries will be
/ pressed upon the legislative session of
1915. State institutions everywhere
are sending out an appeal for more
money to be appropriated, State and
county officers are crying loudly for
j increase in salaries and wave of
unnecessary extravaganza seems to
be sweeping through the State.
AS citizens and taxpayers it is our
bounden duty to study the situation
from different standpoints and firmly
decide the right way. the fair way
and, above all, the just way to act.
The University at Orono has put in
a call for $260,000 annually for the
next two years. The carefully esti-
mated income from other sources
would, with the amount called for,
make an expenditure of over 81 900
for each day in the two years 1t
certainly seems hard for so many
farms throughout the State. depend
ing wholly upon what income can be
made without any outside help, to be
compelled to take part of that in
come so difficult to spare and con-
! tribute to the salaries and eXtraYa-
CANT expenses of one great institu-
ton. Only a few years ago it was
thought that $4,000 annually was
sufficient for the State to contribute
/ IN hn of TTniUprcjtU
but there has been constant call for
more and more and still more until il
has reached the enormous sum of
$500, 600. A costly elephant for the
State to feed.
The report comes to us that the
committee on salary revision recon-
mends an increase in the Governor
salary from $4,000 to $4,000, Governor
secretary from $1,000 to $500, secre-
tary of the State from $500 to $500.
clerk of the House from 500 to $1,000
and like increases all along the line of
State officers.
County officers are calling loudly in
the same direction Notwithstanding
the fact that tremendous scrambling
was made by them at the last prim-
aries to get on the official ballot and
be elected. Not hint given at that
i time that the salary which went with
/ the office wasn't satisfactory. We
! wonder if it cost so much to secure
/ the election that they all feel as
though the taxpayers should come to
their rescue and pay the bills.
The prominent excuse the salaried
officers have in calling for more pay
/ is that it is costing more for the
/ privilege of living and the high cost
demands the increase. Do these of
ficers stop to think that men out on
/ the farms who contribute to the eX-
pense are confronted with the same
conditions? Do they recognize the
fact that in our cities and villages
are large numbers of faithful citi-
zens, with their families about them
to feed and clothe and struggling hard
to pay for their homes, who do not
know sometimes which way to turn
for funds with which to pay neces-
sary bills? Are they getting more
/ pay? Are they even expecting it,
Are not conditions that surround them
, becoming more and more difficult to
overcome?
Do those who are receiving com
pensaton for the duties deyolving
upon them ever compare their pay
with that large class of laborers who
are doing work Just as essential to
be done, and, IN many cases, more es-
sential to the public good. and mark
] the difference Thousands upon
thousands OF men are at work today
in our mills. as clerks in stores, on
the railroads, in all martS of industry
whose annual compensation is from
/ $500 to $500 and the cost of living is
ever rising up before them just as
much as it rises before other classes.
| Haven't they the right to considera-
| ton in this case? Shouldn't they
come in for a square deal just as
much as anyone olse2
Look at the condition Of many of
our cities and towns today. Even
our home town of Skowhegan way
beyond 10000 debt. city of Water
Vile over 100000, Augusta nearly
! $400, 900 Other cities in the same
proportion Towns around us so
pressed for funds that the taxes are up
/ from p to 30 mills on the dollar
] And there are those who are anxious
/ to pile on little more, to crowd a
i little harder. Recently there was a
great hue and cry about Boom
Maine" movement. The correct way
to boom Maine Is to stop unnecessary
extravaganza and pay debts. Get
/ the cities and towns on n firm finan-
eial standing. give all classes an even
chance and the boom will come, Dust
ness men will run shy of a city or
town burdcned with big debt m
less they can manage 10 get exempted
from paying their share Of tho taxes
as decidedly too many are doing.
! For years there has been a great
call for equity OF taxation which
should continue until II is fully ac-
+ complished claim that there should
also go out a still greater call for
f equality in hours of labor. In com
pensation for work performed and IN
the chances all should have 10 enjoy
The fruits OF thcir labor For nne
flass Of our citizens to demand NOR
than their lust share and crowd others
into close corners Is ON of thr crying
evils Of this aEe
sANL = EMERSON
Stns began Jan - 1913