The Tomahawk., 1917-02-08

stitute the purchasing agency for all
the departments of the state govern
ment as specified in the revision here
to attached. The appointment and
supervision of employees at the old and
new capitols, subject to certain restric-
tons. should be taken from the Gov
ernor and placed in the hands Of this
board. The amount for the mainter-
ance of the two said buildings includ-
ing repairs has been reduced in the
revision herein made to $4,000 annu-
ally, making provision, however, for
such additional sums as may be need
ed through the emergency fund herein
before suggested.
Oil Inspection Department.
The oil inspection department should
be transferred to the Dairy and Food
department. The latter is in a posi-
ton to do the work required at a
much less cost than at the present
time and in more efficient manner
than now provided.
Highways.
AS the state appropriates, through
it's one mill tax, a large amount for
public highways, it would seem that
instead of paying out more money
from the states general revenue fund
for the hiring of additional help that
the law should be so amended as to
provide for the payment of assistants
by the counties whose appointments
can be made subject to the approval
of the state highway commission. If
larger amounts are to be appropriated
for this purpose than during the last
session some system should be de-
vised whereby an additional tax can
be imposed upon automobiles and used
solely for road purposes. All will
admit that the building and mainten-
ance of public highways should be
encouraged in every manner possible,
but it is submitted that those who use
! and injure the roads the most should
bear a larger share of their cost and
| maintenance.
Education.
The total increase asked for educa-
| tional purposes is approximately 81,
| $4,000 which is nearly one-half Of
| the total increase. The state normal
school board is asking for $626,795
more than was appropriated to them
| last session. OF this amount $350,000
| is for the proposed construction of a
| new normal school at Bemidji. The
| remainder is for other buildings at
other places and for the normal school
| support fund. Because of the high
cost of material and the scarcity of
| labor deem it advisable to defer the
| building of large structures until at
| least the next session of the legisla.
ture. The work on the proposed new
buildings for Bemidji, where a school
will eventually be established, will
he delayed less than a year by the
elimination of the appropriation re-
quested, if the next Legislature will
make the same available at the earli-
est possible date.
Aid to High, Graded and Rural
Schools.
An increase of S2,O33,693 is asked
~ the state educational department
| for state aid to high, graded, rural and
other schools. Money appropriated for
| such education is needed, but before
such an appropriation is made, the
! Legislature should consider the ques.
| ton as to how much of the money
| used for public schools should be
appropriated by you and pass through
| the hands Of the state and as to
| how much should be raised by local
| taxation. Because of the large budg-
ct of this year and in view of the
| further fact that it is possible to in
crease the standard of education thru
| the enactment Of laws compelling CON-
| munities, which can afford to do So,
to have proper buildings and educa-
| tional facilities and to eliminate dis
elimination against localities that are
| too poor to maintain schools of such
high standard as to entitle them to
| this state aid, have revised the budg-
ct so that the sum asked for this
purpose will be reduced to the extent
| of 81 100000 for each of the next fiscal
years. More money should be appro-
priated to localities that cannot afford
| to have the proper facilities and less
| money appropriated to those which
are amply able to take care of them
! Delves.
The State University.
The State University is asking for
| an increase of s1,S77, 500 for the bien.
| MUM. This institution must depend
for its funds upon the Legislature
and not upon localities as can our
public schools, but in view of the
change of its administration and a