Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1917-02-08

arise which necessitate special appro-
priations, Heretofore certain sums
have been appropriated to various de-
partments for such emergency pur-
poses. It Ia my opinion that all OF
such appropriations should be placed
In one fund under" the control Of the
officers Of the state to be expended
only for such purposes and In such
amounts 40 may be agreed upon by
them. .
Board Of Control Should BE Pur-
ctWsino Agent.
The Board of Control should con-
stitute the purchasing agency for all
the departments of the state govern
ment as specified In the revision here
to attached. Thes appointment and
supervision Of employees at the old and
new capitols, subject to certain restric-
lions, 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, for
such additional sums ais 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 q posi-
ton to do the work required at a
much less cost than at the present
time and in a more efficient manner
than now provided.
aa Highways.
As the state appropriates, through
Its one mill tax, large amount for
public highways, 1t 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. II
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 II is submitted that those who use
and injure the roads the most should
bear 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 $3.50, 900
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 1t advisable to defer the
building OF large structures until at
least the next session of the iegisla.
ture. The work on the proposed new
buildings for Bemidji. where a school
will eventually be established. will
| be delayed less than q year by the
elimination OF the appropriation re,
quested, II 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,e93 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 tho state and as tc
how much should be raised by loca
taxation. Because of the large budg
ct OF this year and In view Of tn,
further fact that 1t Is possible to In
crease the standard OF education thr,
the enactment Of laws compelling com
mnnities, which can afford to do so
to have proper buildings and educa
tional facilities and to eliminate dis
elimination against localities that ar,
too poor TO maintain schools of sucl
high standard as to entitle them I,
this state aid. have revised the buds
OF so that the sum asked for thi
purpose will be reduced to the exten
OF $t,ooo,000 for each OF the next fiscs
years. More money should be apprc
priated to localities that cannot affor,
to have the proper facilities and les
money appropriated to those whicI
: are amply able to take care of them
selves.
The State University.
The State University is asking ia
. an increase of $i,S7T 500 for the bic,
, mum. This institution must depen
for It's funds upon the Legislator
and not upon localities as can on
public schools, but in view of til
change Of its administration and
lack OF knowledge as to the policie
|. OF the next president and beeaus
"a a