Great Falls daily tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1895-1921, 1921-01-05
attention to this matter but nothing
has ever been. done regarding it.
OIL Inspection.


Montana is one of the few states that
has no adequate standard for oil grades.
Great complaint is heard regarding the
character of gasoline and oil sold in the
state. Many people are of the beilef,
whether true or false / do not know,
that Montana has been made the Dump
ing ground for low grade gasoline.
believe that should be remedied.
Farm Lean Deiinquencles.
/ would be remiss in my duty were |
not to call to your attention the alarm
ing condition that confronts us IN the
matter of the wide spread delinquencles
of interest payments on the state IN
vestments in farm loans.
On November 80. 1920, there was in
vested of the common school perma-
nent fund in
Farm loans 81 ,26I 1000
School district bonds 500. 1892. 1886
u. S. Liberty bonds ..... 9S0,0O0.OO
Total ..............,.. ~ ,lo9,e6o.oo
The records show, that on that date,
of the total investment of $4,267,4 in
farm loans. the delinquent loans amount
ed t2 81, 1884, $50, or the equivalent OF
3125 per cent.
The total number of farm loans out
standing is 2133 and of this number
65l were delinquent.
The total interest received on these
loans for the two years ending Novem-
Der 80, 1920, amounts to the sum of
1921 ,3320.S2, while the amount of inter-
est delinquent was estimated at S12o,-
3S1.15, or the equivalent of 33.1 per
cent
During the year ending November 80,
1920. there sas invested in farm loans
S1056,600 as against only $4,000 in
school district bonds, although, during
the same period there were offered and
denied Is applications for the purchase
of school district bonds aggresating
3d. 1885, 600
The farm loan expense for the year
was sos, S46.67, all of which was paid
out of the common school fund, which is
permanently depleted to that amount.
The register estimates that 20 per cent
Of this expense was for work in con-
nection with rejected applications for
loans.
1t would seem that. as a matter of
fairness, the law should be amended
so as to require all applicants for farm
loans to accompany their application
with a deposit of the average sum re-
CURED to defray the expense of exami-
nation, which / understand is about
$40. in order to stop this continual de-
pletion of the school fund.
Should Be Protected.
1t is well to also call your attention
to the further fact that very many of
the delinquent farm loans are also de-
linquent as to taxes and nothing has
been done toward protecting these loans
from tax sale titles.
My judgment is that these matters
may assume very serious phrase and
| believe this legislature should take
immediate steps to protect the inter
est of the common school fund of the
children of the state from possible loss.
In this connection | would say, that
the Montana State Teachers assoca
ton has been of real service in bring
ing the facts in the case TO my person
oil attention.
Disbursements by Governor.
In accordance with the provisions of
the constitution | submit the following
statement of moneys belonging TO the
state and received by the governor and
by him paid to the state treasurer, for
the biennial period ended November 30,
1920:
25 per cent forest reserve
receipts SlS3 90
5 per cent public land sales 3i937 30
Total ...................S 217 1912
Veterans Welfare Commission.
The one outstanding promise in the
Republican party platform was that re-
garding the welfare Of the disabled SOL
ders.
At all hazards, that promise must be
carried out Our first duty is ito care
for him who shall have borne the bat
tie
| believe the veterans welfare com
mission work has been well done and
that it mas been a vital thing in caring
for and safeguarding the wounded and
disabled men. 1t has been of great val
ne in the matter of vocational rehabilita-
tion war risk insurance and compensa-
ton.
Its funds have been carefully admin
istered and there still remains a con-
siderable balance of unsold bonds.
/ trust provision viii be made for
keeping the commission alive until its
work is completed
Later on, | hope to submit to you
detailed account of the relief to dis
abled soldiers that has been extended
by the commission.
An Opportunity to Help Montana.
In conclusion, / congratulate you up
on the present opportunity of rendering
of the state were never so ready for a
constructive program.
For the first time in twenty years
the entire state government is in the
hands of a united political party. Fail
ure to accomplish results cannot now
be shifted upon other shoulders than
our own.
1t is notorious that state, county and
city governments in Montana has lag
ged behind private corporations in
adopting business methods of efficiency
and economy.
The people are impatient for change
in the present unwieldy and wastefuI
system. This legislature should elini-
nate every unnecessary board, commits
sion and office and concentrate authority
and responsibility in public, affairs, in
exactly the same way that you would in
your private affairs.
Set An Example.
This legislature, itself, should first
set the example in the elimination of
every superfluous employee and contin-
gent expense that is not absolutely nee
essary for the transaction of the bust
ness of the session. I believe here is
a fertile field for new legislative rec
ord
Let all of us so far as the J;nita