The Delta independent., 1921-03-25

tnal WOulQ uOI NoLe " CouIlIIu any
man that 1 didn't consider would fill
the position as well as Mr.. Vivian
has. AS Governor Shoup said to me
yesterday, You thought l couldn't
find anybody who could do this, didn't
you? Well, l have. Now shall of
course vote for the confirmation of
George Stephan II his name gets out
of the committee to which it has been
referred and before the Senate. I
Governor Stephan, for four years, re-
presented the same district in the
State Senate that l do at this time,
second: I believe him absolutely
qualified to fill the position, and
third: He is a Western Slope man
and should be able to help us over
there as we have never been helped
before. For instance, the school fund
can be loaned out to farmers up to
the amount of $4,000 at per cent in
terest, 1-3 appraised value. Practical
Iy none of this money has been loaned
out on the Western Slope-all over
here. l do not criticize the Board for
this because believe the men on the
WESTERN Slope haven't perhaps need
ed it, and have not asked for it. How
ever, with man on the Board who
knows the Western Slope values as
Governor Stephan does. we should be
much benefited. And too. this Board
takes care Of the bonds on many of
our school buildings. The Gunnison
High School at this time is handling
it's bonds through this department,
and Governor Stephan was one of the
men who made this normal school
possible when he was in the legisla-
ture. He certainly will help all these
interests over In our country. there
fore feel that it would be to the great
advantage Of our Western Slope to
have Governor Stephan get this ap-
pointment. without in anyway casting
reflections on the good work which
has been done by Mr.. Jno Vivian on
this Board.
The first bill wish to discuss is the
Colorado Ranger bill. Two questions
come to our mind: Would it be econ
omical?" and "Is 1t necessary"
Speaking for myself. should answer
| Dolh NuCStioho Will Il DiS
This bill, as passed by the House,
calls for fifty rangers who will be
stationed two or three in a place at
strategetic points about the state.
They will watch for auto thieves and
bad actors of all kinds. They will
assist sheriffs, prosecuting attorneys
and other officials in time of need
| xr,ho MT L.
otherwise protect families. and pro-
perties throughout the state. These
men are all ex-service men who re-
ceive good wages-$125.OO a month
and are selected. like the Canadian
mounted police and the Texas ran
gers, for their ability and courage
They will cost the first two years at
the rate Of little less than $3.50, 900
a year. After this biennium the cost
would be much less because a greater
part Of It is for equipment. etc. Com
pare this cost to the state with that
Of the last few months as given me
by Major Bert Lake of the Colorado
National Guards. He informs me that
when the National Guard was called
out for strike in the southern coal
fields in 1919 1t cost over $3OO, 900 for
thirty days. The cost of armed forces
during the recent tramway strike in
Denver is estimated at around $780,
600. In other words, these two necessi-
ties alone cost more money than 1t
will take to keep the Colorado ran
gers for four years. After the ran
gers were organized, Col. Pat Ham
rock, who Is their head and also the
Acknowledgement of the National Guard
(this is also the case in Texas where
one man acts as the head of the Ma.
tional Guard and the Texas rangers)
ordered three OF these rangers into
the northern coal fields during the
recent trouble there, and these men,
by their diplomacy and courage. pre-
served perfect peace. It is said. had
the rangers been organized at the
time OF the tramway strike. 1t would
not have been necessary to call in fie
Federal troops and 1t would have
saved the lives Of twelve people who
were killed during that time.
When we consider that the greatest
crime wave in the history of Che coun.
try is upon US. that hold-ups. banl,
robbers and auto thieves are rampant
in the state and Union. and that the
worst class OF criminals in the his.
tory Of the penitentiary are confined
there at this time and that men are
being thrown out of employment very
rapidly. and wages are being cut to
meet the new conditions, strikes are
apt to occur and this means that the
agitator will get busy and as here
in Denver, the younger and more hot.
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