Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1921-01-07
Text of Governors Message;
Recommendations to Legislature

Message of Governor D. w. Davis
OF Idaho to the Sixteenth Session of
the idaho Legislature, January 4.
1921.
Members of the Sixteenth Session
of the state legislatures:
Ii we saw them but dimly two
years ago, it certainly now is plain
that the problems of peace are not
less serious than the problems of
war. Economic dfficulties are met
on every side. The housing of our
population, the reconstruction OF
living conditions, keeping labor en-
ployed in the face of tightening cred
lts; and depressing condition in ag-
flculture and industry, are problems
whlch confront every law-making
body and every executive.
In meeting these problems we
should find inspiration and comfort
IN the thought that the pioneers who
laid the foundation of Idaho and of
the great west refused to be discour
aged although they endured far
greater hardships and privations
than this generation will ever know.
If disposed to be disheartened let us
remember our blessings and compare
our trials with those of the Pilgrim
Farthers, the tercentenary of whose
landing we have just celebrated.
Surrounded by great dangers and
confronted by difficulties we know
not of they laid the foundation of a
government toward which all the
world has turned for guidance. May
their wisdom and fortitude inspire
and sustain us in solving the prob
lens of today.
ECONOMY MUST BE PRACTICED
We must face courageously and
firmly the fact that economy must
be practiced. Financial conditions
demand retrenchment Agriculture
and industry are depressed; labor is
none too secure in employment. In
dustry is heavily burdened and there
is uncertainty in the future. The
people of America are the victims
of personal extravaganza, of extor-
tion and of indolencr. They have
with but little protest submitted to
the Vaccinations of the profiteers
and to wastefulnees Uf the Stacker
in industry. No class is free from
reproach for the part it has played.
All are jointly responsible. Legis-
lation cannot remedy all these evils.
Economy in private expenditures
must return. Manufacturers. dis
tributors and retailers must give
value received and labor must do a
fair days work for a fair days pay.
Public expenditures must be curtail-
ed: we must rigidly cconomize, but
in so doing bear in mind that radi-
cal curtailment of necessary expend-
itures Is as dangerous as over-spend-
ing. We can i'll afford to suspend
public building. but our building
program should be limited to what
we are able to bond for, which Is
approximately a quarter of mil
lion dollars.
There should be no increase in
the levying limit OF our taxing
bodies.
HIGHWAYS
The two-mill highway levy should
be repealed. Two million Of high
way bonds were voted at the gener-
al election and will supply funds
necessary to continue the federal
aid road program without resorting
to direct taxation. Continuation of
our highway program is vital to our
best interests. but it .;hould be done
In way that will be the least
Safeguards should be thrown
around highway bonds to guard
against their issuance for longer
period than the life Of the road they
build
THE BUDGET
Within few days there will be
placed before you a budget present
ing an analysis OF the expenditures
of each state department and insti-
tuition. This is the frst time that