The state herald., 1915-01-15
Am MONS MESSAGE
DELIVERED TO MEMBERS OF THE
TWENTIETH GENERAL
ASSEMBLY.
Tells of Benefits Of Assessments on
Full Cash Basis; Goes Over Indus
trial Conditions, and Treats Of
Many Subjects at Length.

run Sd6H 6dSiSy 1OeS OVcT lNuuo-
trial Conditions, and Treats Of
Many Subjects at Length.
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:
MIR. PRESIDENT MEMBERS OF THE
TWENTIETH GENERAL A s S Il M
BLY-LADIEs AND GENTLEMEN:
In obedience to the requirements OF
law / 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 were kept down and
were still further reduced more than
5000, 100000 by executive vetoes.
The aggregate Of appropri
ations for the period
NJ. i bN.HU "
This amount was reduced
in unexpendrd balances
and reductions by the
Leaving the net appropria-
tions for the period .... 2,99S,62S.4S
The total receipts for the
period, including esti
mates where cash had
not yet been received.
amounted to ............ 3.035. .356.Sl
Leaving "A surplus. accord
Ing TO the auditors re-
port. OF ..-.t....-..--... 36.i2S.a2
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 full cash
basis. Previously, property had been
assessed on one.third of its value. fc
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, a small percentage
of increase to meet the demands OF
growth and emergencies. Under the
constitutional provision and its inter
pretation by the courts equalization OF
valuations was practically impossible,
To correct this defect and perfect the
present system u 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 practical. SEN
sible basis OF property taxation with a
centralized body of state officials
fully empowered TO correct errors
wherever found and enforce equality
of state taxes.
The credit OF the state Is excellent:
a levy OF less than three mills on the
present valuation would pay off every
dollar OF bonded Indebtedness. Even
at time OF great financial stringency
the state was able. until interfered
with by some of its own Off
olals. 10 place So certificates at par
for the purpose of suppressins insur-
rectlon. The nationwide depression
In business and the discournging Of.
fccts OF the Industrial conflict Just
closed make II necessary to keep pub
lie expenditures at the lowest point
consistent with efficient service, and
appropriations should be kept down nc.
eordingly.
The report OF the bank commissioner
lends much announcement TO the
hope vi 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-s,irrins the
bitterness OF the past but with a most
sincere desire to prevent the reour.
rene. OF trouble In the future the i'm.
hf''nhihf w w WI
troll Industrial disputes In urgently
suggested. Through the establishment
Of nm industrial commission. minor dif'
ficultl.s may be- adjusted aud serious
situations avoided by proper handling
at their incipicncy. The constant
watchfulncss OF such n commission. It's
investigation OF working conditions,
Its fairness In tho disposition OF com
plants and itn anticipation of threat.
ened jiscord will very generally On.
able II to settle satisfactorily ordinary
difficulties. Disputes OF Interstate mag,
nitudc. or whose control Ii beyond the
boundaries OF the state In which they
occur should be regulated by congress
sionnl action. Our state ~ entirely
capabl. ol handling local disturbances
but II is Just as much the function anu
duty of the federal government 10 reg
ulaie and control Interstate Industrial
disputes ~ II ID 80 regulate and con.
troll Interstate. commerce.
have been unable 10 find nny law
L.. 4. "a. a.. IA.