The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1922-02-23

| it's value to the state in the financ-
ing of state activities. There is no
doubt that it's establishment has cost
the state a large sum Of money. The
| Farm Loan Department of the bank
was organized and succeeded in maxi
ing a number of political loans in ex-
cess of the value of the security Of
fered, which will result in a direct
loss to the taxpayers Of the state.
The current expenses Of the state
government were materially in
creased by the addition of various
departments and the enlargement OF
the payroll to provide berths for the
faithful. Another added burden to
the taxpayers. The state mill and
elevator was started at Grand Forks
but is still uncompleted. This mill
and elevator was wanted by the ma
ioritv of the voters in the state and
the late administration is to be COM
mended for it's action in granting
the wishes of the electorate,-but not
for it's method in doing it. The
homebuilders association was estab-
ished and the loss from the misman-
agement of this department will not
be known for some time, although it
is conceded that it will be large.
Then there are the smaller losses oc-
casioned by the Drake mill, the ex-
detrimental creamery and other ac-
Invites. Governor Nestos took over
the reins of government when the
finances of the state were in the
worst possible condition. He has es-
tablished the Bank of North Dakota
as a clearing house for the various
departments Of state and as clear
ing house only. He has completed
the sale of sufficient state bonds for
present purposes at large saving to
the state over the last minute sale
made by the outgoing administration.
He has appointed a competent man to
the management of the farm loan
department and this department is
now functioning as a business depart
ment should function-for the first
time in its history. He has removed
the greater portion of unnecessary
employees from the state payroll. He
has completed an agreement for the
sale of all state hail warrants at 80
cents on the dollar at time when
they were being disposed of at Is
and 20 percent discount. He has in
vestigated the management Of the
Board of Administration, and to cor
rect the evils of the former manage
ment of this important department,
has called for the resignation Of the
officials responsible for the condit-
ion found. One has resigned and the
Governor has announced his inten-
ton of removing the two others. Gov
ernor Nestos has made no political
appointments, picking the men whom
he considered the best qualified for
the position, regardless of political
affiliation. He has not removed any
former employees unless it was shown
him that they were unnecessary for
the conduct of the business of the
state, or unless he had been shown
that they were not performing their
duties in the proper manner. The
building up of a political machine
seems to be of secondary Importance
in his mind, his entire energy being
devoted to the placing Of the bust
ness of state on a firm foundation of
business management. Economy is
his watchword-an is a novel idea
in the manag cement of state affairs
in recent years. He has made an
exceptionally good start on an ex-
tremely hard job and is naturally
DESTROYS of seeing his work through |
to successful conclusion. This is a !
laudable ambition, and, in view of
the work he has already done, we
are safe in assuming that he has the
ability to do it. Under these condit-
ions it would be unfair. and decided
ly impractical, for the voters to fail
in giving him their support. We be-
lieve that Governor Nestos will be
the executive head of our state for
the next term as the voters cannot,
and will not, overlook the good work
he has done, and is doing.
lA1TnnDTIrrC DIyI