The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1917-02-09

SllIute the puICHaoiuS dSSuSy lOi di
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 mainten
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, fol-
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
its one mill tax, 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 $350,00O
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 I 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 school
will eventually be established, will
be delayed less than a year by the
elimination Of the appropriation re-
quested, if the next Legislature will
make the same available at the EARL.
est possible date.
Aid to High, Graded and Rural
Schools.
An increase of $2,O33,693 is asked
by 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 cues
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 com.
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 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
selves.
The State University.
The State University is asking TO,
an increase Of $1,S77, 900 for the bien
mum. This institution must depend
for its funds upon the Legislature
and not upon localities as can oul
public schools, but in view of the
change of its. administration and q
Snow Blocks Railroad Traffic.
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