Great Falls daily tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1895-1921, 1921-01-05

The constitution of Montana directs
the governor, as the beginning OF each
legislative session, to give to the leg
islative assembly information Of the con
dition of the state and recommend such
measures as he shall deem expedient.
HI conformity with that provision,
now submit for your consideration some
Of the matters that [ deem most urgent.
The statements as to the actual fl
nancial situation that now confronts
the people Of this state are made in the
hope that it may awaken US from the
lethargic state of mind with which we
have been disposed to regard these mat
ters
The recommendations and suggestions
that follow are not made in a prefunc-
tory way, but with the sincere belief
that they are things that this legisla-
ture can do and ought to do for Mon
tana.
very large majority of the people
of this state have entrusted u.s.. TEN.
porarily with the power and duties OF
their state government. l believe they
are expecting more at our hands than
has ordinarily been the case in this
state. Upon our good or i'll perform
ance of the task entrusted depends the
tenure of our stewardship.
If this legislature will get down to
business Immediately. in a real spirit OF
public service; restrict the number OF
its employees to its actual needs nitro
duce few bills and enact as few laws
as possible, refrain from legislation IN
behalf of any special interest," and then
adjourn, the people of Montana VIII MISE
up and call you blessed.
Great War Record.
Montana has just passed through four
of the most trying years in her history
During the great war her young men
were drafted for the national army up
on population basis of 100000. while
the census returns gave us only 54S, $50.
We sent overseas and into the train
ing camps about 10000 men, nearly
double the quota demanded from any
other state, as related to its actual man
power.
Our. excess quota of war bonds was
allotted on the same fictitious basis of
population.
In contradiction to these things, our
interior geographical location prevented
us sharing in the financial prosperity
that came to communities more favor
ably situated to the great war industrial
activities.
these four years. we experienced the
greatest drouths in our whole history.
which bore with heavy pressure on the
unirrigated sections of the state.
Overcomes All Obstacles.
Despite these handicaps. and with an
area of territory approximating three
times that of either Ohio. Wisconsin or
Iowa. and with a population approximat
ing one-tenth Of these states, in COM
mendable spirit of emulation and desire
to even excel the progressive legisla
ton and accomplishing of these older,
richer. more densely populated states.
Montana has been pushing to the front
in the matter of schools, roads, munich
pal improvements. the care Of the phys
ically defective, the insane, sanitation.
relief for the widows and orphans and
other humane movements for the better
ment of society. With the forward
looking. optimistic spirit Of the west, !
we have gone forward, sometimes |
fear, not needing or counting the ulti-
mate financial cost.
In on spirit of captious criticism of
what has been done, and with full ap-
probation of the altruistic intent of our
people. the responsibility that now de-
wolves upon me as the governor of Mon |
tana and upon you as members of its
legislative assembly, compels me to can |
didly call to your attention the finan-
cial situation that now confronts us in |
state, county and municipal govern |
ments.
Must Halt Expenditures.
The time has now come when the gov |
ernor and the legislature of Montana |
must call halt, if we are to avoid ul- |
innate and serious consequences.
From the best sources of information |
available, / find that the general fund
of the state. on November 30, 1920, was !
overdrawn $2.129,447, and in addition /
estimated at 100000, thus making the |
total deficit for the year $2,529,447, |
the real deficit on November 80, 1920, |
being $3.50, ATT, as against the over
draft on November &c. 1919, of $1,319,-
ODD
In other words the state government
ran in debt this past year $1,21O,225,
or at rate of S2,315 a day.
But that does not tell the real story.
From the state auditors office comes
the following statement as to the est
mated condition of the general fund on
March /. 1921, the approximate date Of
the conclusion of this session:
General fund overdraft Nov.
30, 1920 Observation-Disclosures 81, 129, AT
Estimated general fund re-
ceipts, December (taxes) i. 100000
$1,129,4f7
Estimated warrants to be
drawn in December, 1920. 100000
$1,329,447
Estimated general
fund G ceipts,
Jan. and Feb
1921 .,..... S25O, 600
Estimated trans