The Caledonian-record. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1920-current, 1922-06-30
REPLIES
TO QUESTIONS OF
WOMEN VOTERS
Candidate for Governor
Files Answers to
Queries

III oliuoils uIlC
Redfield Proctor, candidate for the
Republican Nomination for Cover
nor, at a meeting of the Vermont
League of Women Voters held
here made the following statement
in answer to the questions hereto
fore propounded by the League to
the candidates for that office.
/. In the event of your elect
ion what policy or program have
you in mind for the Improvement
of state administration? Are you
in favor of appointment of COM
mission or of the Legislature TAX
ing action upon reorganization of
the state government?
The reorganization of the busi-
ness of our State government
along simple and sensible lines is
one of the most important issues
before US. This should include the
consolidation of a number of com
missions and of some OF the small
er departments. Thereby we can
save overhead, simplify and cen
tralize the administration of State
affairs and gain both in economy
and efficiency. No patchwork or
piecemeal tinkering will accom-
plish much. We can make serious
progress only by taking up this
problem as a whole. | do not favor
the appointment of a commission
to investigate such reorganization
because it is practically impossible
to get effective action at the same
session of the Legislature author
izing the appointment of the COM
mission. The incoming Governor
can and should be able, after care
full study of the existing conditions
to make suitable recommendations
along these lines.
2. What is your solution for
the problem of controlling appro-
priations by the Legislature with
the object of restricting them
within the limits of reasonably ex-
pected income?
am in favor of an Executive
Budget System rather than the
budget system now in force in Yer
mont. Under an Executive Budget
system all needs and requests for
appropriations are brought togeth-
er and considered as to their rela-
tive importance by the incoming
administration. Recommendations
for appropriations should be pre-
sented to the Legislature by the
Governor at an early date after the
opening of the session, and all
should be presented TOGETHER and
at the same time The Legislature
is then in a position to consider the
matter as a whole, to increase
or decrease specific appropriations
to climate some and add others, an
it think best. 1t should be emphat-
ically understood that an EXecu-
tive Budget does not in any way
limit the authority Of the Legisla-
ture. The Legislature would re-
main the law-ma!,ing t~dy and
could pass such appropriations as
it deems proper, subject only to the
Executive vote. The Executive
Budget System is intended as
guide and help to proper legisla-
ture action.
3. Do you favor the direct
state tax or indirect methods of
raising state funds?
Indirect taxes seem less burden
some than direct taxes, but that is
in appearance rather than in fact
Whichever way taxes are raised
they come in the end out of the
people. A combination of the
direct and indirect methods o. lax
ing is, think entirely proper. Our
real trouble of present is that the
total amount of taxes raised by!
the State by the two methods is
too large and it ought to be re-
duced. | would favor first reduc-
ing the direct state tax. This can
only come about, however, by the
election to both houses of the Leg
islature of men who sincerely de-
sire to have the State live within
its proper income, and who will
labor fearlessly to that end with
out regard to local, departmental
or personal appeal.
4. What is your attitude to-
ward appropriation for eliminating
bovine tuberculosis?
This is large question affecting
one of our principal industries. |
Our policy should be in line with |
the best scientific knowledge avail |
able, but must be planned to keep /
within the amount we can reason
ably afford for such purposes.
Some restrictive legislation effect
i've at some future date is needed |
to supplement this work so as to !
prevent the state being called upon =
to continue this large appropria- d,
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