The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1916-12-08

ed State Officers and members of the
Legislature held in st. Louis last
week, to consider the problem of rails
ing revenue to meet the States def
icit, caused by appropriations,
and the penitentiary problem growing
out of the doing away with the con-
vice contract system, Governor-elect
Gardner outlined plans for raising
several millions of dollars annually to
pay off the deficit and to meet the
growing requirements of the State.
He. suggested three plans of raising
revenue: An increase in the rate of
collateral inheritance tax; a general
inheritance tax, and a privilege tax
on the capital stock and surplus of all
corporations. He also suggested the
creation of a board of management
for all the State Penal institutions
and the purchase of a 3000-acre farm
to be worked by first offenders, and
which would provide food supplies for
all the State institutions.
In his address to the conference,
Gardner said that the question of
raising more revenue was one of the
great problems that had to be met
and solved. In addition to the 81
O74,804 in approved and unpaid bills,
which the State is now behind, he said
it was estimated that there would be
additional bills of $250,000 by Janu-
airy l, making total deficit of ST.
324,804.35. There is 100000 on hand
in the general revenue fund, he said,
and it was estimated that 100000
would be collected by January 1.
ut is apparent" he said, "that
there will be net deficit, in approved
and unpaid bills, of $1,624,804.95 at
the first of the year. These obliga-
tons, in round numbers, amount to
$403, 480 for the educational institu-
tons, including the University and
State Normal Schools; $34,939 to the
charitable institutions; $276,683 to
miscellaneous institutions, and for
other bills; $401,70 to the National
Guard, pensions for Confederate SOL
diers, and $4,000 to the public schools.
Intends to Make Figures Public.
"The receipts from all sources to
date have been $5,084 ,972.61, and with
the 100000 to be taken in by Janu-
airy l, the total will be increased to
$5,684,972, of which $2,945,000 has
been or will be expended upon the ed
ucational institutions of the State,
and the public schools, leaving only
about $2,500,000 for all other State ac-
Invites. Now that is the financial ex-
hibit of the State.
Il am glad to make it public. While
l am Governor, the people of the
State are going to be taken into my
confidence and given full information
about their affairs.
I'VE must provide revenue to meet
the deficit, and to continue the bust
ness of the State. 1t is clear that the
State cannot be run for $5,600,000.
II am going to outline to you now
three plans shall recommend to the
Legislature for raising additional
revenue. They are:
Il. An increase in the rate of the
collateral inheritance tax from 5 per
cent to z 1-2 per cent, which ought
to produce revenue to run the State
University and Rolla School of
Mines.
"2. The enactment of general in
heritance tax of or per cent, which
ought to produce an income of 1,O0O,-
600 annually.
20. A privilege tax upon the capital
stock and surplus of all corporations
in the State, which should produce an
other $1,000,000 revenue.
Cites Own Case on Corporation Tax.
Il think this corporation tax will be
just. run my business as a corpora
ton. If my corporation should fail,
! would not be personally liable for its
debts. If should die no administra-
tor would have to be appointed to have
supervision over it's affairs. Corpor-
ations enjoy many privileges from the
State which individuals do not.
Il shall consider my administration
as Governor colossal failure, unless,
during my term, there is complete
rehabilitation of the financial system
of the State, change in the penal
system of the State that will make it
equal to the most modern and pro-
gressive system in the country, and
the construction of system Of high
ways equal to any in the United
States"
Governor-elect Gardner then read
his plan for the management of the
penitentiary. He suggested that the
board of control which he proposed
should be comprised Of one expert &C.
countant, who should be secretary; a
broad-gauged business man, who
should be chairman; lawyer, who
should be counsel; a farmer, labor
representative and one woman.
Proposals for Prison Reform.
The Gardner recommendations for
prison reform follow:
Il submit to you for your consid-
Grafton the following suggestions
which are, tentative only, but out of
them / hope there may be evolved
some scheme whereby the manage
ment of the States penal institutions
may be greatly improved, both as to
their fiscal affairs and the mental and
moral improvement of their inmates
A. The adjustment of the present
Board of Pardons and Paroles and
the substitution therefor of a board
which, in addition to the power of
would have general control over the
pardoning and paroling prisoners
penitentiary and the two reform
schools.
B. To the end that the whims and
caprices of any one Governor may not