Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1918-01-24
Iron County Register
PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY,
SUBSCRIPTION:
One Year, Sl.50. Six Months, $0.75.
RATES OF ADvERTIsING
Furnished on Application. Special Induce
ments 10 Home Patrons.
Address REGISTER, Ironton, Mo.
Achievements Of the State Administration,
democratic Press Bureau.I

and this is an opportune time to re-
view come Of its accomplishments.
Governor Gardner sought the Office of
chief executive of Missouri after hav.
ing achieved q remarkable success in
business. He promised to apply the
same talents to his official duties that
had characterized his business career.
Efficiency and economy were the
foundation of the instructions deliv'
cred to each of his appointees, and
the heads of departments we're given
to understand that they would be-
held to u strict account.
We here briefly summarize some Of
the "high points" Of accomplishment:
1t was evident to the casual observ-
or at the beginning of 1917 that the
financial system Of the State was in a
condition of total collapse. The de-
mands for good roads; improved
schools; enlarged activities in Il
Normal Schools and University; better
equipped ele%emosynary institutions;
and a multitude of new activities on
the part OF the State government, all
Of which involved ali increased *.
penditure Of money.
For a number of years the Legtsla-
ture has been increasing the appro-
priations to meet these demands, but
for sixteen years there had not been
q single new law passed providing for
an Increase in the revenue. The re-
suit was that on January /, 1917, the
State was in debt 81, 200, 900 for cur
rent expenses and we were face to face
with a financial crisis. The institutions
we're borrowing funds to meet their
necessary, expenses and paying a high
rate of interest, or else were buying
on credit and paying outrage GUS
prices for their necessities.
Governor Gardner negotiated loan
for this $4,000, 900 alta per cent inter-
est and Immediately placed each in.
stitution upon a each basis. At the
beginning Of the present year, by
practice OF rigid economy and setting
up the standard of efficiency demand
ed by the executive, everv department
and institution vas able to pay every
current bill and there vas a surplus
Of approximately $3.50 900. The dis
bursements for all State activities dur
ing 1916, except the public:schools,
were $685. 1854; for 1917 only s4,107,'
0S8; showing q saving OF sl,151, 1893;
this too in face of an increase of al
most so per cent OF fuel, food and
supplies of every character purchased
by the State. A deficiency Of a mil.
lion dollars was thereby converted
into . surplus Of $l50,0O0. With the
new revenue measures in operation
this year there will be an increase Of
%, 900 900 10 the revenue fund. The
debt Of 81, 1000, 900 will be wiped opt
and . million added to the school
fund.
Out Of the revenues for this year
tire schools Of Missouri will receive
approximately 50 per cent. More
than Is, 1850, 900 will be set aside dur
ing this biennial period for the com
mon schools alone. No other State
In the Union expends so large a per
centage OF its total revenue upon IT.
schools.
Much progress. has been made il
the construction Of permanent high
ways. The automobile licerses have
been doubled and will produce by the
first Of March this year . million ant
. quarter dollars. Ten counties have
voted $780, 900 In bonds for the i'm
provement Of their roads. The OK
pertinent Of using 'convicts In roat
building has been successfully de-
monstrated and as soon az the wealth
or will permit arrangements will .b'
made to release 500 convlcts to tn,
counties for use In road building.
For . generation, each succeeding
administration has wrestled with thu
problem Of abolishing contract laho'
Of the penitentiary. The State wa
ysalising 10 cents . day for the labo
OF convicts from private contractors
II wss asserted that to abolish private
contracts would entail an additions
cost Of . million dollars . year for tn
support Of the psnitentiary. So ths
up to the middle Of last year tho con
tract system still held sway. Blu
Governor Gardner believed that tn
ssty way to abolish . thing Wa :
out 4 ont Of businsss, 20 DO put hi
foot down on private contracts 90
ths stsss won't Into ths nlaaasaotu'inI