Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1921-07-29


Industry" published by
the National Automobile Chamber of
that last year California |
had 325 stateowned automobiles, Or
egon had 1856, Washington had 147,
and Idaho had 1872, including trucks
This year Washington has 159, of
which 121 are Fords. 1t must not be
overlooked that an automobile is an
economical essential in almost all
work.
Boots. l bought pair of high-top
boots for $12.2O for use in inspecting
the storm zone of the Olympic penin-
sula. I hold that was necessary
and justifiable expense. they are IN
the possession Of the state and with
other equipment are used in the storm
zone for state purposes.
Believing that l was following a
sanctioned custom of all chief execu-
tives, l purchased and sent out en-
graved Christmas cards. l think my
course IN this matter is open to JUS
tifiable criticism and will not be re-
peated.
Bonds written by Jones & Hart
Company:
Jesse S. Jones, the sole owner OF
this business, wrote surety company
bonds for officers and employees ag-
gregating $105. 100000, out Of a total
of about $1,650,000.00. The prem
ium on these bonds written by Mr..
Jones was $525.O0. 1 have no in
terest in the business of Jones &
Hart Co., and have not had since
became governor of the State OF
Washington.
The new Insurance building was
designed for all departments of in
surance, including Industrial 1nsur-
ance, Safety Board, Medical Aid
Board and Labor Commissioner.
The coordination of boards and
commissions under the code made
necessary the Encouragement of the
|
rooms in the new building.
For two and one-half years the
State Treasurer has maintained
armed guards to protect the nearly
thirty millions of dollars Of securi-
ties in his Office vault.
Securities Safely Housed
The Legislature made an appro-
priation to reinforce the vault, but
careful survey disclosed the fact that
it was not possible to make a fire.
proof Vault in the old building. The
Capitol Committee then devised the
plan of putting a modern vault in the
new freproof building. This was
done and the securities of the state
are as safely housed as those OF any
bank in the state.
Realizing that it was essential 70
have the Governor, State Auditor and
Treasurer in the same building the
partitions were changed and rooms
rearranged at a cost Of about $685.
10000, so that now in addition TO
the original contemplated use, the
Insurance Building houses the offices
Of the Governor, the Auditor, the
Treasurer, the License Department
the Efficiency Department. the De-
partment of Business Control and the
Highway Department; while the Of
fees vacated by them take care OF
several departments that heretofore
occupied rented quarters. Thus a
saving in Office rent Of twelve thou
sand dollars per year.
Some general criticism has been
made for failure to more rapidly
make appointments but have been
too busy for the last eight months,
working days, nights, Sundays and
holidays in an endeavor to bring
about a lessening of cost of govern
ment and reduction Of our burden
some tax levies, to attend to all OF
these minor matters at once.
Some positions cannot be changed
over night and the people are more
interested in efficient and economical
government than they are in who
draws the salaries.
Several changes are in contempla-
ton and will be made as early as
prospective appointees can qualify
for such positions.
Called to National Capital
Ever since my attention was d.
rected to the Administrative Code l
have been firmly of the opinion that
1t would be of great assistance in
lowering cost of government, and
while endeavoring to devote my en-
tire time to it l have had manly in
terruptions with matters that could
not he deferred. | was called 10
Washington City in the interest OF
irrigation legislation in which the
people of Eastern Washington are
so vitality interested. 1t was on TINS
trim I rendered all possible assistance
in furthering Federal aid for high