The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-01-24
A0cuEs BIG DEFICIT
State Auditor Heating. De-
cries Report Of Senate
Tax Investigators.
Continued from rage one.,,

SNO Ot0tG W0kG uGt0T An U6lter shape
than they are at the present time, and
% realisation Of this, the estimate
which prepared for the present legis-
istive assembly WIS the most liberal
which has been made by a state an
ditor in years. IN the great majority
Of instances. the,estimates Of depart.
ment heads were accepted in full.
without any. pairing down or revising.
although at Is notoriously true that
heads Of Departments are prone to re-
gard their own particular needs as of
greater Importance than those of other
branches Of the government. Not only
this. but the estimates were in prac-
tically every instance in excess Of the
amount Of money appropriated for
these particular offices during the two
years now drawing to a close.
particular care was had in the
preparation Of these estimates to pro-
vide for the needs Of the wards Of the
state, It being felt that the first duty
Of the state was to these unfortunates
committed to its care, and as a matter
Of fact the only item cut from the
submitted estimates Of the heads Of
these particular institutions was an
item OF $1,000 for an automobile truck.
Universsty's Appropriation.
although the estimates for the
needs Of the educational institutions
were somewhat lower than those sub
mitted by the chancellor Of the univer-
sity, these estimates compare most
favorably indeed with the appropria-
lions given these Institutions for the
preceding two years. More than that,
and due solely to the needs Of these
institutions. the estimates which, ]
submitted to the legislature provide
for the construction Of permanent
buildings to the amount Of 100000 at
Bozeman and Nftssoula out Of current
revenues, although anyone knows that
any system Of sound public financing
would not devote current revenues TO
this purpose. but would provide for
permanent Improvements by bond
ISSUE.
1T is easy for anyone to juggie with
figures, as might be recalled by the
report of another special legislative
committee Of two years ago. which by
the simple expedient Of adding in the
trust funds administered by the state,
solemniy reported to the assembly that
the state government of Montana was
costing in excess Of $5.0o0.ooO a year.
Calls Things Ridiculous.
Some Of the items in the report
which has just been presented are
equally ridiculous. For instance, it is
said, that an additional $4,000 should
be added to the 100000 provided for
the maintenance of the state capitol
building. 1t is not believed that any
person with a desire toward economy
would recommend such an increase.
Certainly no private corporation own
ing a 100000 building, would spend
four per cent of this sum each year in
the upkeep Of the building.
Take again. the reported condition
of the general fund. warrants Of which
are being registered in the permanent
school fund. The special committee
estimates that these warrant regis
trations. by tho first OF March will
total $326.423.61. They probably will.
By the first Of July. they will prob
ably total much more than this. This
sum represents. not the deficits of the
past year, but the accumulated deficits