Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1921-01-12

urge Careful SIuuy VI oil IcldLcu
problems and suitable appropriations
for continuing and increasing this
policy of State aid.
Names Patriotic Response
The record of Names patriotic re-
World War illumines one of the
brightest pages in the history of our
State. In the spring of 1917 when
the regular army, but little greater in
number than the police force of
metropolitan New York, needed volun-
tary enlistments, call was issued for
100000 men, and existing National
Guard units were indicted into Fed
eral service. In Maine enlistments
were greater in proportion to popula-
ton than in any other state in the
Union, excepting only Oregon. To
every call for contribution, whether
for the Red Cross, Salvation Army.
Y. M. c. A., X. of c., or for subscrip-
tons to the Liberty Loan, Maine went
over the top. The quality of service
given by the sons and daughters of
Maine on the battlefields of Europe
make a glorious page in the States
record. Wherever stationed the men
and women of Maine were ever in the
front ranks and always completely
responsive to the call of duty. Recog-
milton has already been made by legis-
lative action. We should at every OPP
portunity render full justice to all who
were in service, doing this as volun
tary recognition of sacrifice made in
behalf of our country. A movement
has been started for placing monu-
ments in the different battle areas of
Europe, where bodies OF Maine troops
were engaged. A suggestion has been
made that the New England states,
whose levies made up the splendid
Yankee Division. should join in erect
ing these monuments. | urge you to
fully with the other New England
states and with the Federal Govern
ment
Salary Adjustments
The State is entitled to have, and
should require, full efficiency in ser
vice from every employee, and in
return for that service, should pay a
salary fairly commensurate with the
responsibility of the employment, so
that men and women of adequate
ability to perform the duties of the
positions may be secured. Measured
by this standard the sum paid by the
State to its employees is in many in
stances inadequate, and I urge care
full inquiry to the end that this in
justice may be corrected by a re-
adjustment of salaries.
The utmost care should be exercised
in all expenditures for governmental
purposes, and every detail Of service
should be made to function with the
same efficiency that characterizes the
well managed private business, and
in this connection recommend to you
a reorganization and consolidation of
the various administrative and execu-
tive departments, boards, andscommis-
sions, and a codification and group
ing of the various enactments relating
to these subjects.
We should develop the budget sys-
tenn recently made operative by legis-
lative enactment, so that it may ade-
quately, accomplish its proper function
Of preventing duplication of appro-
priations and Of furnishing full and
reliable information to the Legisla-
ture--the body which under our Con-
stitution possesses the sole power to
impose taxes and to make appropria-
tions-to the end that each Legisla-
ture, having full information of past
receipts and expenditures. and Of
present requirements and resources.
may make intelligent and suitable ap-
preparation Of the sums available
Measure Our Needs and Funds
1t is indeed unfortunate that Maine
resources will not allow the immediate
accomplishment Of all worthy projects,
but we must measure our appropria-
tons by available funds. The State
itself has no money. 1t possesses the
power to take money by taxation, but
the power to so take must be exer-
cised sparingly, without discrimination
and with complete realization that
tax levy is justified only when
absolutely necessary for the require
ments Of well ordered government
Excessive taxation will arrest de-
velopment and may amount to con-
fiscation of property. 1t is your duty
to balance the scales and determine
when to give and when to refuse ap-
preparations.
We are now passing through a
grave economic disturbance; private
resources are depleted, earnings are
diminished and the exigencies of bust
ness conditions impose upon us the
obligation of limiting our tax levies
and keeping our appropriations at the
lowest possible point, and OF post
poning, so far as it is possible to do
so, new construction to more oppor-
tune period.
Poea;p<e ,nd E~o.-l;$,,~.a