The Colorado statesman., 1917-07-21


for the consideration Of this body. Re-
alizing that the members of this body
would be called from their business
anxious to return, solicitous of expe-
diting the session, the material has
been gathered and 1t Is hoped viii be
of aid to you. 1t will be placed at
In the past work of the various COM
mittees all services have been volun-
graphic and like expenses, but as
time goes on many citizens who will
be useful in this work cannot afford
for months to give their time. Fur
ther other expenses will be incurred
and some provision should be made for
the executive to meet such expenses.
Under the advice of the War Advisory
Council a commission has Just been
sent to Washington, the mission of
which will be to aid our Colorado dele
cation in Congress in calling attention
to many grave matters in this state,
such as the location of cantonments,
the letting of contracts and other rec
ognition by the national government.
While this committee will ask nothing
whatever for their time, II Is but rea-
sonable the expense incurred should be
borne by the state. Some provision
should be made for like steps as oc-
casion arises.
o. To Provide far the Payment OF
Warrants Issued on Account of Mobii-
ixation of the National Guard of the
State In 1916.
Due to an oversight this was not
taken care of at your last sitting.
Z. Appropriation for the support of
LEGISLATION.
The legislation asked divides itself
into two classes: financial and miscel-
laneous. The revenue produced should
be approximately two and half mil
lion. Various modes of raising this
revenue have been and will be sug-
gested: income tax, increased inheri-
tance tax. increased poll tax for men,
poll tax for women, tax on corpora
tions, millage levy, bond Issue. All
should be considered. The provision
should be for an immediate revenue
drawn-out contests upon the floor of
the Assembly, legal attacks or delay
equftably distributed and the burden
should not all fall at once. 1t should
be such provision as can be collect
ed by the present machinery of the
state and without additional expense.
A further consideration is, 1t is now
but an estimate of how large a fund
will be required and such a provision
should be made that the amount of the
revenue laid would be dependent upon
the necessities of the state. The as
sessed valuation OF the state is some
thing over S1,211, 100000. A small per-
centage mill levy would not be bur-
densome, not subject to constitutional
or other legal objections, would be
collectible with the present machinery
and be Immediately available. An au-
thorized bond issue of S2,cO0,0OO with
power to sell according to the neces-
stiles of our state life, would be wise.
No burden would arise unless the
bonds were issued and sold. No bonds
should be sold not required by the ex-
igencies of the future. A means for
the payment of the interest of such
bonds as are sold and for creating a
sinking fund for their redemption may
be provided through reimbursement of
the state by the national government.
In this connection it must be remem-
bered, but not confidently relied upon,
that 1t has been the custom of the ma
tional government to ultimately refund
to the state the cost of mobilization.
1t is to be presumed that this will be
done in the future.
Should any of the legislation sug-
gested for the purpose of raising reve
nue. involve protracted delay in con-
sideration, 1t could be deferred until
the meeting of the next General As
sembly and then enacted to provide a
sinking fund to meet any of the bonds
outstanding.
financial legislation, it is urged that
a small millage levy be provided and
bond issue authorized and that the
attention of the Assembly be addressed
to the early passage of these meas
ures.
Immediate action is also urged upon
legislation providing in some form for
state guard to take the place of the
National Guard when mustered into
federal service.
The request for expedition in the en-
actment of the aforementioned legis-
lation must not be construed as min
imizing the Importance of other legis-
lation embraced within the executive
call Great consideration has been Civ
en- by members of your body and by
other citizens to the grave questions
which will come before your body for
action. Bills will be submitted by your
members covering all questions em-
braced by this message, which will
greatly aid your action.
1t is to be earnestly hoped that the
session will be brief and that your Ia
to you and to our state. Valuable will
it be to our state. and a stimulus
throughout the nation If the fact can
be that our lawmaking body has met
and has promptly and without dissent
enacted all needful Legislation.
Colorado has Loyalty responded to
for s1,OOO,OOO for the Red Cross; ST.
Liberty Bonds; s16.OO0.OOO subscribed.
Registration asked of the state. involv-
ing stupendous labor, intricate diff
culties, done practically without ex
pense to the nation Let us not be
vision for our soldiery for the main
tenance of domestic peace and order.
Do we realize that every enlisted man
solemnly covenants to die If necessary
for his country? And can we doubt
that many of these manly young sol
diers who pass us with their flying
in death in a foreign land before the
flowers of June bloom again? Il
In conclusion, this great Republic of
ours has decided Alright every question,
foreign and domestic, which has come
to its Judgment. and has prevailed In
the contest involved. Divinely guided, |
it has decided upon its course in this
world war, and divinely blessed will
prevail In the struggle CONSEQUENT and
when the clouds of war lift and 1t has
righteously as the great world power |
adjusted the difficulties between the
nations, all the peoples of the earth
will call it blessed.
An accomplished orator has rightly |
said:
I'm every turn of fortune. God has
stood by the Republic. ! Phil
osophers may argue as they will,
and rationalism may draw its con-
clusions; but the mysterious power
unexplained by either has, from the
beginning of time, ruled the desti-
nies of men,"