The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1917-01-26
Governor E. D. Boyle's Message
To the Legislature of Nevada Now in Session at Carson
City--Strong for Good Roads in State
To the Senate and Assembly:

To the Senate and Assembly:
In accordance with the mandate Of
the constitution | have the honor to
submit herewith a report of the con
dition of the state, together with Ger
tain recommendations regarding &C
ton on such measures as to me ap-
pear expedient
| The legislative session of two years
| ago occurred at time when bust
ness throughout tn state and nation
! was temporarily arrested in its pro-
gress by the stupendous events which
| had but few month before, involv-
ed nearly one-half of the Old World
in war. The consequent sharp read
justments in the financial and indus
trial life of the beligeIent nations,
with which much of the commerce
Of our own country is normally con-
| Quoted, did not fail to affect us here.
With our leading mines closed or OPP
Grated on part time as a result of
low metal prices; with the Sparks
| shops closed because of the paraly-
sis of industry and consequently of
| railroad transportation throughout
he country; with the farmers pro-
luce selling at prices below the nor
NAL average, and with business gem
nlly ttprinp from no 10; IL,
y of an unprecedented situation
'eal grounds existed for apprehen-
sion as to the material prosperity
If Nevada in the immediate future.
Happily. this depression did not
long continue and these fears were
not realized, for the general prosper
ty of the nation ushered in by the
ear 1915 has been reflected here.
1igh prices of copper, silver, tung-
stem, zinc and lead have served to
stimulate mining to an unusual de-
gree. Quietly, and without sensa-
.ional production from any single
nine or group of mines, the value
If our mineral output reached the
high figure of nearly forty million
dollars in the year just closed, and
is interesting to note that this
lean wealth came from nearly a
thousand properties. Our agricultur-
II and its allied development has
been marked and apparently per-
manent, and the general prosperity
n these basic industries has been re-
elected in the healthy advance Of all
of our enterprises.
STATE FINANCES
A most gratifying condition in the
states finances is indicated by the
report of the state controller for the
past two years.
Partly as result of the generally
prosperous condition of the state,
but largely because of the more prac-
tical and acceptable method of Sc
curing state revenue effected by the
reorganization of the tax commits
sion and the state board of euualiz-
alton, the condition of all funds in
the state treasury has improved be-
5ond our expectations.
1t is mater of qualification fur
Their that the normal current operat
ing expense Of the state government
has shown substantial reduction
IN the last two years. and that. by
the reinvestment of portions of our
school funds, an increased return
on the trust funds dedicated to edu-
cational purposes has been effected
STATE INVESTMENT BOARD
The constitution has been. since
the last legislative session, amended
In two particulars; The borrowing
power of the state has been extended
and the enumerated list of securi
ties in which the educational trust
FUNDS may be invested has been
made to include improved farm mort
cages. Supplemental legislation will
be required on the second PROPOSE
ton referred to. Enlarged powers
and facilities must be provided for
the state investment board which
henceforth must be equipped to as
sumo intelligently some of the func-
lions of rural credit department.
OFFICIAL BONDS
Certain state and county officers
are required by law to give official
bonds in varying amounts for the
faithful performance of their res
pective duties. The state should re-
quire surety bonds and should appro-
pirate the money necessary to Sc
cure them.
TEACHERS PENSIONS
At its last session the legislature
provided for the pensioning of re-
tired public school teachers who had
given certain term of service to
the state, the funds for this purpose
TO be supplied by a small millape tax