Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1921-03-22

This reduction in taxes imposed by
the State should Immediately be re-
hected IN q lessening Of the burdens
Of municipal taxation. II the State
government retrenches In It's expendi-
lures, city and town governments
may be eapected to follow It's exam.
pie, for State taxes, with the War
Bonus included, will be 2975 mills
per year less than inN 1919 and 1890
and municipalities will no longer
have high State tax as an excuse
for their own extravagancee. II the
War Bonus tax is deducted, your av-
erage tax rate will be 1876 of the
1919-1920 rate.
am submitting 10 yau list Of pro-
posed appropriations but in doing 30
do not wish my position 30 be mis-
understood. This hist Is suggestion
and demonstrates what can be done
II you really mean to practice rea-
sonable economy. am convinced, II
you adopt it that the affatrs Of the
State can be properly taken care of,
that all departments can be operated
on an efficient and satisfactory ba-
sis, and that State institutions will
not suffer by reason Of a reduction In
some Of their appropriations. You
Will notice that some Of the appro-
priations suggested by me are smaller
than the recommendation in the Bud
get, but many small savings make a
large total The appropriations for
State institutions as recommended In
the Budget report are based on the
high peak of prices, and It Is general
" conceded that considerable To-
duction in prices is likely 10 occur
during the next 21k years. Should
this paove to be so our State insti-
tutions can be operated at a saving
without their efficiency being inter
fered with.
u would be confusing to discuss
tho detatis Of each department in this
message but in the schedule submit
ted herewith you will find five col
mns Of figures; the first showing
the appropriations for the calendar
year 1890, the second the amount
actually expended during that year,
and the last three columns give the
suggested appropriations for the
three fiscal periods beginning jan
uary 1921 and ending June 1873. With
the assistance Of our State Auditor /
have been able to obtain compre-
henave insight into the affairs OF
these departments, and now bring to
your attention certain instances
where a considerable saving can be
made.
State Institutions. In providing
for the maintenance Of the various
State institutions the items OF the
Budget, which are based upon the
1920 prices, are adopted. am OF the
opinion that these items can be re-
duced during the coming period and
I urge the necessity Of strict economy
upon the part of the Trustees OF
these institutions. II the Depart
ments of State in this Capitol are re-
ouired to practice economy and to
do as good or better work upon less
money, the same should be expected
Of the States institutions.
No changes are recommended In
the amounts suggested for State Aid
institutions, Hospitals, Children
Homes, Academies and Institutes, as
the Budget report covers these items
In a satisfactory manner. With the
gradual reduction of war prices the
private institutions that receive State
aid doubtless will effect economies In
their maintenance, and thus will be
relieved from the strain imposed up
on them during the past few years.
University of Maine. The Univer'
sity of Maine received from the State
s17O, 900 per year for the past two
wears and at present, according to the
figures given me by the President OF
that institution. has deficit OF $214,-
600.
The University Of Maine rs an in
stftutiop in which our people take
pride, but I believe that the State
should notbe called upon to assume
this deficit, and have suggested to the
President of the University that It's
loyal alumni be appealed to for the
purpose of raising fund 80 that the
institution may NO longer be handi-
canned by debt. Other educational
institutions have wiped outtheir debts
| In this manner with marked success.
The Budget recommends an appro-
priation of $575,000 for maintenance
for the fiscal period which Is to be
$780, 900 more than has been appro-
priated in the past for a similar pc
riod. With price reduction already
commenced I believe the work OF the
University will not be hampered II
the States appropriation Is reduced
Adlutant Generals Department. In
the Adjutant Generals Department
under MILITARY Fund" a lump sum
appropriation OF 100000 per year Is
asked for. The National Guard Act
passed by Congress requires the
State of Maine to provide National
Guard of 1890 officers and men. This
puts the State to heavy expense, even
with the aid that Is received from the
Federal Government, and although l
doubt the need of having Guard OF
this size In time Of peace, It ts nee
essary for the State to do IT'S best
to meet this requirement. The Ma
tional Guard Act may be changed
later by Congress and the military
obligation Of States Of small popuia-
ton reduced. The Federal Govern
ment Is to distribute large amount
OF surplus war material which al
though of a doubtful value must be
cared for by the States receiving It.
The State of Maine has reason to De
proud Of the record Of its National
Guard, but om people do not feel the
need Of a great military establish
ment because they know that tne
men who responded IN 1917 and 1913
Will do 30 again should the call be
sounded. TITS 100000 item is a
blanket estimate, and may be re-
duced after the Adjutant General has
prepared a detailed statement giving