The Red Cloud chief., 1921-01-13

tht ttICnt pciiOu VI lHldECldl StTGSS,
Nebraska has had only n very few
bank failures, and that those failures
were the result of inscriptions prac-
tees on the part Of bank officials, The
governor recommends some changes.
The minimum capital of a banl
would be raised to $4,000, and all
existing banks with less capital would
be required to increase to this mini
mum within five years. Bank direc-
tors would be held personally respon-
sible for any transfers of stock ap-
proved to one who is unable to show
the required legal financial response
bility required by the banking code.
Only chartered banks should be al
lowed to use the words "bank,'
bankers" or banking" The COVER
nor would have the department of
trade and commerce have authority
to suspend the functions of bank Off
Gals who wilfully or persistently vio-
late any of the banking laws. The
depositors' guarantee law would be
amended so that this fund, after paw
ing the deposits Of failed bank, would
have a first lien on all the assets of
a bank, including the stockholders
double liability, until the fund was
fully restored. All banks, building
and loan associations and trust COM
panies would have to adopt and main
tain systems Of uniform accounting
for the convenience of auditing and
checking by examiners for permanent
comprehensive records.
Labor and Legislation
The governor, In his message,
pointed out that the amount of
money paid to injured employees un-
der the workman's compensation law
has grown from $51,167 in 1915 to
$540,213 In 1920. 1t was recommend
ed that employees in the public SER
vice should have the same protection
under the act as those that are now
employed In private Industries. It
was also recommended that occupa-
tional diseases should be made com
pensable.
IN regard to the matter OF the es.
Enlistment OF an Industrial court,
the governor said that he was mot
prepared to recommend such legis-
lation at this time, unless such q
body should be provided to sit in a
purely inquisitorial capacity. Public
opinion is the greatest deterrent to q
continuation Of those unfriendly rela-
tions between employer and employe,
which result In injury to the public.
We now have provision for board
Of mediation, and / have no doubt
that this will suffice to cover the re-
Quirements Of Nebraska for the pre-
sent at least"
Child Welfare
The governor gave attention to
child welfare and recommended that
a special committee be created upon
this subject in each branch of the
Legislature. The last regular session
OF the Legislature created a children's
code commission, and charged 1t with
the duty OF preparing and recommend
ing to this session Of the legislature
an entire code of laws relating to the
subject OF child welfare. The gov
ernor stated that child welfare laws
should not in any sense be designed
to relieve parents of the RESPONSE
bility. Our duty Just now is to the
unfortunate ones who do not and
cannot care for themselves" he said.
Taxation
The governor stated that he would
not recommend q complete revision
! OF the tax laws Of the state at this
session. However, II was recon-
mended that the office OF tax commits
sioner, as provided for in the amend
ed constitution, be set up for opera
ton. This would enable the tax com
missioner to secure information dur
ing the next two years that would
make possible wide and equitable
revision Of the tax laws. However
1t was pointed out, that changes in
the classification Of intangible proper.
ty might be made at this session
Many persons have not listed this pro
perty, for they were always taxed al
full value, while those who had tang
IDLE property got Off with less per-
centage. The governor believes that
this should be changed so that there
will be less effort to escape taxation
The Road Program
In the matter OF establishing good
roads, the governor said: 1.-The thir
ty-seventh session of the legislature
enacted the most comprehensive group
Of road laws the state has ever had
and under this legislation. supported
by appropriations for carrying on the
work and careful supervision. Nebras
ka has made as much progress In road
development during the past biennium
as was made during the previous de
cade. II We are to have contin
uation of this program of progress.
and development it means a continu-
alton Of appropriations for carrying
on the work, as well as practical
distribution Of and supervision over
the expenditure of the funds"
The governor recommends that
money received for automobile II
cense taxes be left with the county
treasurer, and be paid out on war
rants approved by the state depart
ment Of public works. Under the
present plan II is first paid to the
county treasurer and then forwarded
TO the state treasurer.
"The criticism is also made that a
larger percentage OF the automobile
license tax money should he spent on
county roads, other than federal and
state aid roads. This may be accom-
plished In a sense, but IL would bt
highly unwise to designate by law q
much lower percent OF this money
than is now provided for use on the
federal and state highways" said the
governor.
I'm my opinion, 1t should be provi
ded that up to, perhaps. the present
percentage county boards and the