Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-02-13
UNNECESSARY STATE EXPENSES

UNNECESSARY STATE EXPENSES
Vermont as we'll as the States of all the
nation will soon be in the throes of a gen.
eral reduction in the cost of living. This
means that the cost of things We buy will
have to be reduced The principal fac
tors in the cost of and other necessities
are the raw material labor and |
transportation What is one mans |
finished product is another mans |
raw material. Wool is the sheep |
breeders finished product; it is the raw
material for the wooden mill. So with |
other products and necessities throughout |
the whole gamut of industries and costs
of living.
How to readjust prices of your necess-
ties, and your products and your wages.
affecting the wages and cost of necessities
of some other man is the great problem
of the day.
If we could all get as much income as
we have been receiving now in war Pc
Rod, we would all rejoice. II high prices
take all we can earn, then we are no bet
ter off than we would be with lower in
= comes and lower prices for what we have
to buy. The problem for each of us indi
vidually Is to buy as cheaply as we can.
and try to save up a little for a rainy day.
Success in that direction does not depend
upon what we receive and what We pay
out as to high or low prices, as whole
but upon our ability to keep our expenses
just little smaller than our income.
whether prices generally are runningg
high or low.
The members of the Vermont Legisa-
ture are confronted by these and other
similar considerations in connection with
every proposed increase in legislative ex-
penses. If they vote increases unneces-
sarily, they go contrary TO the whole
movement in connection with reconstruc-
ton, which must follow the period of high
war prices. We are on basis of war in
fation. In order to enjoy continuous pros
perity we must carefully squeeze the
water out of every kind of stocks and
shares and prices.
Specific measures are now pending be-
fore the present Legislature to which
these considerations apply especially.
Concerning some of these the Brattleboro
1teformer says:
"That Vermont farmers have full con-
troll Of the State Legislature has been con-
vincngly demonstrated in the election of
speaker and in several contests over
bills introduced and later killed by them
On the farmers, therefore rests the great
responsibility of checking the growth OF
State expenses because we are not enjoy
ing "a business administration so much
as we are farmers Legislature.
'"rhc introduction of the bill to increase
rne pay OF the members of the Legislature
to s. per diem by a farmer; and II
must be decided by the farmer members
of that body. Five dollars day is q
small part of the income several members
receive from their private business 1t il
less than successful farmer SHOULD
make in the operation Of his farm. There
fore. it is small compensation for most o
the members. But the State has never at
tempted to make a State Office attractive
from a compensation standpoint. On TIL
contrary it has demanded real service ant
some financial sacrifice from its officials II
the belief that the standard of it's publ
service would be higher than 1t would
1t was a matter Of personal profit. TIL
farmers should not at this time lower tn
standard or impair the service of tn
States public officials
"Resolutions have also been introduce
authorizing certain committees to Wis
the State institutions at the expense {
the State. This should not be allowed
The inspection of State institution by
legislative commtte is of no value to tt
State because the time of inspection
known far enough in advance for II
management of such an institution to g
everything in perfect condition for inspe
ton. There may have been time whit
legislative inspections were advisable b
with the present system of inspection
the executive officials it is entirely unne
essary.
each of the measures will cost t
State considerable money the visit to t
state institutions hundreds and the raj
in salary thousands of dollars. These
creased expenses can be paid only by
increased tax upon all citizens or
State. If they are voted they will