The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1920-03-22

for veterans of the world War. Gov,
Louis r. Hart emphasized tho ne.
cesaity for state action In his mes.
sage, read today before tho joint as.
scmhly OF the senate ana house. at
the opening OF the special session Of
the legislature.
Public sentiment the governor
said. IL practically unanimous In a
demand for suitable recognition OF
the men who fought In the war II
the bonus hin is passed. the governor
advised that II be placed before the
voters at the general election In No
vembor
The need for an Increase In funds
for educational institutions in the
state and a mention OF Washington
example as a suffrage state were 9TH
or important features in the govern
or's message,
The messag. follows.
To tho Members Of the Senate and
House Of Representatives Of the
Legislature Of the State Of Wash.
| ington;
The Constitution OF the state vests
/ in the chief executive the power TO
convene the legislature In extraor'
binary or special session. The same
article OF the Constitution makes II
/ the duty OF the executive TO com
munioate az every session by mes
sage TO the legislature the condition
OF tho affairs OF the state and recon
mend such measures as he shall
deem expedlent for their action. Tho
special session OF tho Legislature
having been convened. you are On
titled TO know the necessity therefor.
When admitted into the Union IN
1883, our state started In reason
ably modest way under a stable rep
rcnentatiVe government. providing
only such governmental functions ~
custom and experience had proven
necessary for the peace. happiness
and prosperity OF the people at a cost
OF about SAYS per capita.
since that time many departments.
boards and commissions. adding nu'
merous heretofore unknown govern.
mental functions. have been created
by the legislature. with but one at
I tempt at organization or conHoilia'
ton under departmental heads. until
We find tho cost OF government has
risen 10 s20si per capita
! Continuing adding governmental
/ functions can but continue TO in
crease governmental expense and
higher rate OF taxation.
Providing revcnuc. By direct taxes
on property has almost reached tho
dividing tine between taxation and
conflHcation.
| What the state most needs IL no;
/ greater appropriations but tho excr.
else OF sensible. rigid economy in all
IL. departments The plans for ~
organizing the boards and commits
slons under the departmental heads
are not sufficiently worked out In
detail To Justify their presentation at
this time. nor would the time at your
disposal AZ this special session be nuf
fielent for an intelligent oonsidera-
ton thereof The suggestion IN made
for the study by the people between
now and the next regular session OF
the legislature.
From the year 1914 10 1919 tho as
sessed valuation OF the property Of
this state increased from 1905 .oss..
ssi to si.o3s .sss.stt. or an increase
OF about per cent
INSTITUTIONS
II has been tho practice Of the
board Of equalization for several
years to make a very low tax levy
for general state purposes In on.
year and levyinE the maximum or
near maximum rate for the succeed
ing year TO take care OF tho defici
.neies caused BY the previous years
low levy.
Following this custom. tho board
OF equalization. in September. 1918.
made n tax levy for general stair
purposes OF is OF a mill. This levy
was made about six weeks prior 10
the signing Of the armistice. and the
legislative session Of 1919. immediate.
~ following the ievying Of this tax
and the signing Of tho armisticc
found Itself confronted with after
war conditions that demanded ap
preparations far In excess OF those
ever heretofore made. Tho result OF
this low tar levy and increased ap-
preparation was that tho estimated
revenues for the biennium April l.
1919. 10 March 81. 1921. WAS 1891.
iTs 50 less than the actual appropria
tons for the same period. and We
were confronted on March .. 1920.
with an overdraft In the general
fund amounting TO si.ii2. s4e65.
II the tar levy for general state
purposes made In September. 1918,
had haze been the fun three mill
levy in anticipation OF after war"
expenditures. the revenues for the
first half OF this biennium would
have been fi.2t3.o 900 greater than
they In fact were. and would have
moro than taken care OF the present
overdraft In the general fund. This
condition makes II impossible TO APP
propriate money from the general
fund 10 take care Of deficiencies in
other than strictly state fund institu.
tons. unless some relief can be had
In excess OF the three tax levy.
HIGHER EDUCATIONAL
INSTITUTIONS