Arizona republican., 1922-02-16
Text OF Governor
Campbell's Message

Members Of the Arizona Legislature: !:
The primary purposes Of this spe-
cial session are to provide funds for
the University Of Arizona and to re-
wise appropriations to conform to
present economic conditions. Kindred
are the ma ajority Of subjects included
in the call summoning you here. They
bear an intimate relation and are in
tertwined to a large extent with a
readjustment of the fiscal affairs OF
the state. vital and imperative at
this time, and the demand emanat-
ing from the taxpayers that halt
shall be called in our program OF
public Improvements until such time
as they are in better position to carry
such burdens. For several months
past, the budget department, under
my direct supervision, has conducted
an exhaustive study OF all appropri-
ations and with the cooperation OF
the various departments, offices, in
stitutions, boards and commissions.
has found that certain appropriations
can be reduced to an appreciable ex-
tent. Detailed figures OF these con-
templated savings are incorporated
in the second state budget. 1922, now
before you. II further economies can
be effected without interfering with
the proper and efficient functioning
OF these various necessary activities
Of government, the efforts OF your
honorable body in that direction will
enlist my sympathetic understanding
and assistance.
The task before you is one Of con-
siderable magnitude. Apparently sim
pie. 1t will be made complex and
difficult by the various influences
which win be brought TO bear-sec-
tional, selfish and Notwithstanding
to divert legislative will from the
path in which civic duty directs 1t
should travel. This is a political year
and therefore a time when mems per-
sonal ambitions will be in the fore
front. The best politics, however. in
my judgment, point unerringly TO a
course of action which will safeguard
the interests OF the people you rep
resent. II ! am any judge OF public
sentiment, the party which will reap
any reward incident to this session is
the party which subordinates parti-
sanship and what are commonly con-
sidered partisan obligations, TO the
veal of the commonwealth. Our ac-
tion, and / am using the plural ad-
visedly, will be continuously and
closely scrutinized and any attempt
to escape responsibility will be in
vain. Naturally there will be honest
differences OF opinion. The judgment
OF body Of men as large as the one
I am addressing cannot always focus
at one common point. But, when this
session ends, our accomplishments
will be subjected TO the acid test OF
criticism and either appreciation or
IA a
far as possible have endeavored to
make your task pleasant and easy to
perform by showing, through facts
and figures. how the results desired
may be attained. My conclusions are
based upon an extensive study OF ex-
listing appropriations, for the purpose
OF determining how those appropria-
tions can be reduced without impair
ing efficiency, and framing for your
consideration legislation, which, If
passed will give force and effect TO
the reductions recommended. In ad-
lition, there will be presented to you,
at my instigation, measures designed
TO cover the other matters OF legis-
lation incorporated in the call. MY
purpose in so doing is wo-fold-
first, to assume the responsibility
which logically belongs to the execu-
tive department, and, secondly, 10
expedite your work by obviating any
valid excuse for a lengthy and inde-
terminate session. With these few
preliminary observations, offered in a
kindly and helpful, but not dictatoral
spirit. | pass to n discussion OF. the
concrete items of the call.
Financial Condition of the University
Foremost among the matters to be
considered at this time, is the pres
ent financial condition Of the state
university. Taxes are paid six
months after the beginning of the
fiscal year. Expenditures of the
state are always six months in ad-
vance OF the receipt of taxes. Most
of the state departments have found
relief through tax anticipation bonds
and the registering of warrants;
however. there is no such panacea for
the university. The supreme court
in one OF its decisions Valley Bank
OF Phoenix VS.. Johnson, State Treas
urer) laid down the law prohibiting
a department which has a nom
specific appropriation from register
ing it's warrants or from incurring
obligations against it's anticipated
funds. The mill tax for the univer-
sity (chapter 81. session laws OF 1927
is a non specific appropriation, and,
due to the fact that there will be no
more taxes collected this fiscal year.
until next June, the university is
without funds TO continue its activi-
ties. on the 18th of January the
had cash balance of ap-
$40 600 TO its credit. The
expenditures Of this institution out
of funds derived from taxation aver
age $65, 600 a month. II is therefore
that something must be
done TO obtain funds FOR the uniyer-
sity or it will be Obliged to close its