Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1915-01-08
GOVERNOR
!. URGES ECONOMY
Governor Alexander Hammers
! Economy Into legislators
In Annual Message
.w0ULDj cur III own SALARY !, AZ /
Governor ;;siiSi; Il, Mahol, Firm Il Be-
lever h R!e'sdaa'cihg R!''s y Taxes
By Spending Less Money

O0 SOO NeJ
SPOKANE, Jan. 6.-"The gov
ernor's salary is now $4,000. 1t
ought to be reduced to $3,600.'
Moses Alexander, governor of Idaho
economy" into the ears ol
the state legislature in his annua
message, delivered yesterday. So that
there might not be any doubt as tc
what was meant by economy" thu
governor gave a long list of detailed
state expenses and showed how they
could be made less. Among the items
was the one quoted above, urging q
reduction in the chief executives own
salary.
The message, which is long, IL
stuck full of statements that an ex
perienced legislator would have 8
right to consider unconventional.
"The burden of taxation must
be lightened," said the governor.
1T must begin right under the
dome of this capitol; it must start
right from the Office of governor;
from the halls of the legislature
it must be carried to every court
house in every county in the state.
to every municipality and to every
school district"
"a people whose very nature is
obedience to the law, both moral
and divine" was another. state
ment. whose occupation is large
ly that Of tilling the soil-Auch =
people need very few laws. Gov
ernment for them should be very
simple and the least expensive of
all governments"
From general statements insisting OF
the necessity for lower taxes Gov
ernor Alexander passed to details oi
how the state can pay less for tt
administration. Some of his remarks
in this connection were:
"The first step is to repeal all
continuing appropriations made by
preceding legislatures. You have
no right to authorize these expend-
itures or the appintment of men
who spend the money"
"No bonds should be issued at
this session of the legislature for
any purpose"
There are some things the
state can get along better without
than with. One of these is the
immigration commissioner. This
office should be abolished. An
other Is the tax commission. This
commission ought to be abolished
on account Of it's uselessness."
Il ask you also to consider the
abolition of many of the boards
that have been created-for what
purpose it is hard to imagine.
They are simply buffer between
the executive and the people,"
"The fish and game department
needs thorough Investigation and
complete reconstruction upon
the lines of modern business
methods. Out of over 100000 COL
lected biennially, at least $4,000
ought to be turned into the gen.
eral fund of the state and used to
reduce taxation"
"The appropriation for the at
torney generals department was
$4,000. Four years ago it was
$4,000. It ought to be reduced
to the latter amount or less. I am
frank to say that no interest of
the state would suffer thereby"
"The pure food department had
an appropriation two years ago of
$4,000. It has spent about all of
the money. There is nothing to
show, In any out of the ordinary
way, for the expenditure of this
vast sum-"
The list includes practically every
of the state government
except the public institutions. and to
hese the governor promises to devote
| special message later in the legis-
ative session.
Nepotism in public Office is attacked
Is a sort Of aristocracy of Office
FOLDERS, closed corporation Of fam
lies to spend the public money" The
of special help, advisers
Ind counsel on all occasions is con-
lemned. Counties, municipalities and
school districts are scored for extrav-
lgance and wastefulness.
Stricter divorce laws. comprehen-
i've workmen's compensation act and
! state bureau Of accounts are advo-
GATED. The legislature is asked, to
prepare 4 constitutional amendment
,0r the initiative. referendum and 70.
all to be submitted to . popular vote
IN 1915.