The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-02-05

4 lie pEGScHIE DuQECI DOdTQ 10 IIlS
natural outgrowth OF the so-called
Lathrop committee. which prepared
an estimate OF appropriations in 1915.
A majority of the present budget
board were actively engaged in the
/ work Of that committee. The con-
clusions OF sthat committee were based
on the examination OF reports filed
with the state auditor, statements
made before the committee and hear
say evidence. The conclusions OF the
present budget board are based on
all the knowledge gained by the men,
bers of the committee at that time,
together with additional information
gained through personal visits and
examination of the different state in
situations, an examination of their
needs and the physical condition of
with the superintendent and manag-
ing officials and the boards under
whose supervision they are now OPP
| Grated and maintained.
The members of the budget board
| were, at the commencement of the pres
ent task, of the opinion that If there
was added to the sum Of the last ap-
preparation an amount equal to the
increased cost of service, labor and ma
terial, with a further allowance to
cover natural growth. such an amount
would be reasonably ample for the hi :
ennium 1917-1919. A personal inspec-
ton Of the institutions, our know
ledge Of the present crowded condi-
tons in some of the state institutions
and concern for the proper preserva-
ton of the states property, together
with the fact that the state owes it's
wards either admitted or committed,
proper support and protection, forced
the board to early depart from that
method of arriving at final recon-
mendations. So the following recon-
mendations reflect what appropria-
tions should be made to provide only
the most urgent necessities. Many
instances are called to the attention
OF the legislature where additional ne
cessities may be added If the finances
will permit, with resulting benefit to
the state, but to reduce the recon-
mendations Of the budget board, as
| recommended herein, will tend to con-
tinue han dships now existing and add
further Inconvenience, with a surely
| resulting impairment of the states
best interests, which will in the end
prove but false economy.
We must waken to the fact that we
are rapidly growing state, with
ever-increasing demands, both in vol
ume and quality, there are no short
cuts to the defrayment of the states
expenses. The states financial needs
must be met largely through taxation
and we must be taxed and tax our
selves.
We should and must increase our
public property as we grow, and
should insist and demand that the
property which the state now owns
be kept in good condition. We must
keep up with our educational need
and provide proper care and protec-
ton for those who inhabit our penal
IL
the day of payment is in no way true
economy-it simply creates a deficit
that must sooner or later be met, and
all temporary makeshifts only increase
the load that we, and we only, ul-
tmately must bear, and which should
be borne ungrudgingly if our money is
honestly and wisely expended.
The power to place a valuation, on
our property for taxation purposes,
against which may be levied a legal
tax which will provide for the states
needs when the needs become pres
sing. lies with ourselves, or, we can
make use Of temporary makeshifts,
which for the state as q whole must
result in the same degree of financial
loss which follows a like course when
pursued in the management of our in
dividual affairs.
AS individuals we are often forced
to forego the convenience and pleas
ure Of many desirable things, because
of lack of funds. Not so with the
state. for no one, except the state it
self has guaranteed, ample and
continuing income. The inherent
power Of a state to levy taxes insures
it's income.
The tremendous amount of proper
ty that now represents the states in
vestments and the protection and aid
the state owes to it's wards and citi-
Zens, should be amply provided for
and properly continued through suf-
ficient appropriations to guarantee
the maintenance of it's institutions
and other activities in a way COM
mendable to so dignified an institu-
ton as the state.
With a clear understanding of the
demands that are made upon the diff
ferent branches OF state government,
with q comprehensive idea of what
comprises the states property; and with
the knowledge that only about one
dollar out of every ten on the average
paid for taxes, is used for state pur-
poses, all fair-minded citizens must
admit that the cost of state govern
ment in North Dakota is not excess
i've.
The recommendations of the budget
board will be for greatly increased
amount over the appropriations for
the biennium 1915-1917, and 1t is sug-
gested that it might be well for the
legislature to appoint committees to
visit the several state institutions
that they may ascertain for the legis-
lature whether any appropriations
have been recommended that may be
reduced or eliminated without jeop-
ardizing the best interests of North
Dakota.
The unusual growth in the popula-
ton Of North Dakota is taxing the
state institutions to the limit, they are
now being operated and maintained
on the smallest possible appropria-
tions, and, in fact, there is question
whether. with the limited means, they
can accomplish for the people of the
state the full measure of good that
is expected Of them.
The budget board considers it advis-
able to acquaint the members OF the
legislature with the assets and liza
bilities of the state of North Dakota,
ment which reflects the financial
condition so far as the same may be
affected by the ownership of prop
erty and certain obligations.
The statement is prepared from in
formation on file with the board Of
control of state institutions. the gov
ernor, the board Of regents. and the
land department. The statement is
made as OF date July 1, 1915, and is
accurate enough for all purposes of
information. The only marked change
on January /. 1917. is in the amount
of obligations shown as state bonded
debt at $57S,700. which has been re-
duced to $462,Q00 through the retire.
ment of state bonds in December,
referred to as Permanent Funds Of
the Common Schools and Institutions"