The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1918-06-05


iishsd revenue system, In the school
districts, townships, Counties and
state governments. II reduced II
will demand q rsadjustmsnt and an
increased levy on all other property
10 meet the deficiencies caused by
such reduction.
The United States supreme court,
In q recent dseisio- DECLARED this
law Ineffective In 80 far a. Il related
to oil produced on restricted Indian
lands, Authors Of the bill declare
this decision was due TO improper
worclr. al the act, and that a rem
edy can be found to cure this Do
hoisnoy, will most heartily favor
finding Of such remedy, for all pro-
'duoins oil properties should bear
their equal proportion Of such tar.
In my judgment Il 10 not an sx-
orbitant tar. Attempt 10 alter II
would bring about difficulties which
should not bo made at this crucial
time. This IL not a time TO try 10
escape tax burdens. Rather we
should Be glad to pay our portion
Of the governmental burden, that
government may be administered
effectively,
II should he the purpose Of those in
TO see that tho property
owner who pays dollar for taxes gets
4 dollars worth OF results, Scrutiny
Of expenditures, TO the end that moth
ing is wasted IN experimenting, Is the
ono sure way to guard the public funds
Agriculture.
The sustenanoe Of tho state and
nation is fhe farm ! shall favor every
TO better the condition OF the
agricultural workers Of Oklahoma
War demands the greatest possible
production In our fields. | am heartily
in accord with the federal government
in It's efforts TO aid the agricultural
classes, and pledge the people Of this
state aid In every way that will
increase the produetiveness OF the farm.
| shall appoint only experienced farm.
ers a. members OF the board OF agri-
culture, men who have proven their
fitness for the place,
The agricultural problems Of one part
OF this state are easily mastered, but
to develop the large western district,
| shall favor the enlargement OF the
secondary agricul,Wal school At Good
we'll so az to give u q scope that will
permit the study by experiment OF
methods applicable TO that region
The question Of tenant farming has
been an Increasing one for more than a
decade, Recognized as a big question
many cures have been advanced. withou
any substantial effort 10 examine int
it, nor has anyone furnished reliable Zig
urcs as to the number OF tenant farmers
NcitheS has 4 statistician furnished fig
ures as to the causes which created tt,i
condition, or the various factors In
volyed in it, although all recognize il
existence. That the state Rovcrnmer
may net intelligently, shall favor III
appointment OF commission who's
duty Il shall be to gather data and pre-
sent the same in a written report to tn
legislature and governor, that intelliRen
legislation may he enacted as far a.
possible TO alleviate conditions as they
are found TO exist.
County Government and Officers.
Compensation for elective county Of
iicers and their deputies was fixed
with statehood In many cases the
population OF counties has treblcd,
and in some quadrupled, but the salaries
OF officers and their deputies have re-
mained practically the same. More
deputies are necessary 10 transact coun-
ty business than are now allowed by
law and those who are permitted by the
statute are paid pitifully small sum
for their work. shall favor n read
juStmrnt OF the salaries commensurate
with good government, such readjust-
ment based on conditions as they now
exist We cannot afford to he lavish
with the public money. but the work
Of government must be done by COM
petent men, and II something Is not done
TO assure a sufficienl financial basis, II
will very quickly become impossible ia
secure competent help for government
service. shall favor salaries for stat,
employees commensurate with the labor
to be performed, and with the high cos
OF living experienced at this time.
| shall favor any needed readjustmen
OF salaries of teachers employed by tn
state and shall do whatever is With
my power TO aid school boards to ad
vance salaries Of teachers. to the en-
that the very best talent in the proies
sion may be secured. Unless som
change is made, It is obvious that thos
who have made this their chosen pro
fcsSion must seek other employment
Good Roads.
Good roads are a necessity Ever
mile constructed is an added link lead
ing to a better day They bring tn
"city TO the country and the country t'
the city" | favor permanent hard sur
faced roads for main highways, bull
under the strictest state supervision
Convicts should be used to prepare ma
terial and construct roads insofar a
the constitution permits. All road law
which are not practical should b'
so as to secure the creates
possible harmony between the state
highway department and the officers in
the counties where the roads are con
structed. The status Of community
Il measnred hY It's road improvement