The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1922-02-23

a few years.
/ This varied interest taken by the
state in industrial affairs has brought
about a peculiar condition in the po-
litical aspect of the people Of the
state, in which industry plays an i'm
portant part, and many strange new
laws passed far in advance of other
states have been the result. The in
dustrial insurance law designed to
protect and make compulsory insur-
ance in all hazardous occupations is
the result of this interest. And the
outcome of that interest has been the
establishment under a new admins
trative code Of department of Labor
and Industry designed to handle la
Dor disputes, the regulation Of wo-
MEN in industry, the safeguarding of
the plants in which men and women
work, and practically every line Of
endeavor touched by labor in hazard
Gus and other occupations.
The expense of keeping up various
activities outside those usually en-
gagged in by state governments
mount to place where taxation had
become almost unbearable. At spe-
cial session OF the legislature in 1920,
as governor Of the state, was given
the power to have drafted what af-
terward became law,-the Admin
istrative Code" The state system,
whereby numerous boards and bu-
reaus we're either abolished or con-
solidated, for but four months, but
already the Code" has justified it
self and the confidence Of the legis-
lature in its passage by showing saw
ings in practically every line Of en-
deavor in which the state operates.
Some idea of the many functions car
ried on by the state may be had by
the following names of the Code de-
partments: the Department of Public
Works, the Department of Business
Control, the Department of Eficien-
cy, the Department of Health, the
Department of Taxation and Exam
ination, the Department Of Conserv-
alton and Development, the Depart
ment of Labor and Industry, the De-
partment Of Licenses and the Depart
ment Of Fisheries and Game.
WASHINGToN's PROBLEM.
1t is hoped that under the Admin
istrative Code that the business of
the state will be carried on much
like that Of any large industry and
that a great saving to the taxpayers
will thus be made, and that under
this system the state will find its full
est development in industrial, agri-
cultural and civic lines.
The great problem of the state of
Washington today is to carry on the
functions which are necessary for its
industrial and agricultural advance
ment without burdening property to
point where it cannot stand the
weight. Tax problems consume
major portion of the constructive
thought in the state today, and with
mind to reduce if possible the bur-
den now borne by property, tax
investigating committee composed of
men from nearly every walk of life
are now investigating tax laws and
conditions with the idea Of revision
through the state legislature, thus
giving relief to property. In this
respect the state Of Washington is
probably in no different condition
than any other state, except that steps
are being taken Tor a poSSlDle rem-
cdy.
Politically the state of Washington
has had a stormy career and has trl-
ed most of the "cure-alls" that have
emanated from the human brain in
the last so years, to say nothing of
having discovered few Of her own.
The initiative, referendum and right
of recall are all in vogue, and every
e.ect;cn sees th9 former two play an
important part in affairs of state.
The primary election law gives the
people the direct power to nominate
candidates, and whether for the best
or not is seemingly here to stay.
Washington has made rapid strides
in industrial lines in the 81 years
that she has been state, and with
an unlimited amount of water power
that remains to be developed there
is little cause to worry about her
future development 1t is not ques-