The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1923-01-10
RIGID ECONOMY IS
PLEA in MESSAGE
GOVERNOR MOORE WOULD TURN
DEAF EAR TO CALLS FOR MONEY
TELLS LEGISLATURE.

Boise-Governor c. c. Moore, in hi
message to the Idaho legislature, de
Ivered before a joint session of tn,
two houses Tuesday afternoon, de
clared that the time has come whe1
the brakes must be put on and the
state must turn q deaf earl to pleas
for any increase in expenditure. The
governor, in his message, declared his
opposition to new issues of state
bonds, appropriations for bridges, the
creation of new counties, judicial dis
trictS, bureaus, commissions, institu-
tionS or buildings, except where tC
deny would result in retrOgression."
The governor, in his message, de-
clared in favor of the present plan
for nominating state and congress
Sional officers of political parties by
the convention system. He would
strengthen the present county primary
law SO as to preserve party integrity
The message recommends a gasoline
tax for the maintenance of highways,
but no appropriations for the con-
struction of new highways The pro-
motion of the dairy industry, reduc-
ton of freight rates and enactment
HJl o. ISClpIOC dS0 law iSCOul-
mended, as well as a reduction of 25
per cent in state appropriations and
the enactment of law limiting the
powers of local taxing boards.
Governor Moore read the message
in person before the legislature, in
the house of representatives and his
economy program was loudly ap-
Dlauded.
Governors Message.
The governors message, in part,
follows:
1t is needless for me to call your
attention to the great necessity for
relief now confronting not only Ida
no, but all producing sections. In re-
cent contact with the people from
every county, I found positive de-
mand for economy.
The people have been practising
economy privately, The state, coun-
ties, school districts and all local
taxing bodies should do the same.
The keynote of all party platforms
was economy. The watchword of this
administration is economy. The con-
stant aim of the legislature should
be economy. Efficiency in the con-
duct of state business, however, must
not be sacrificed Nor must efficiency
of our educational or other institu-
tions be impaired; and our natural
resources, particularly our water re-
sources, must be amply protected
against exploitation and depletion.
Tax levies are made to raise the
amount of money necessary for gov
,ernmental purposes, and there can be
no economy and no reduction Of taxes
without reducing the appropriations
and curtailing expenses. Each year,
since the peak of expenditures caused
by the great war, there has been a
material reduction in state levies, and
we must continue this downward
trend We must keep down appropri-
ations Every tax dollar that is col
1ected by any tax levying body In
the state of Idaho represents severe
sacrifice, and in many cases almost
the lifeblood of our people. These tax
dollars are sacred, and in their ex-
penditure we must fully realize the
struggle and self-denia1 that they re-
present.
Taxation.
In furtherance of the earnest de-
sire to reduce taxation, | recommend
that the maximum levies and bonding
limits fixed for local taxing bodies
be materially reduced. If reduced
would prevent fulfillment
of existing contracts, or the doing of
things absolutely necessary it should
be provided that an additional levy
could be made by twothirds vote
of the taxpayers affected.
Highways.
Highways have heretofore been
built by all the taxpayers, but our
roads should be maintained by those
who use them, including tourists; and
this can be accomplished by a gaso-
line tax Economy demands that the
already constructed be
maintained at the lowest possible cost,
and construction limited to impera
tive needs on projects under way.
Ample finances for this program can
be provided by the gasoline tax, in
addition to the moneys received from
licensing automobiles and trucks.
The gasoline tax should apply only
to vehicles used on the highways.
Public Safety.
The state constabulary law should
be repealed, and provision made for
luIlu lOIs liG CIl0l eA0CuClV0 10 use Ill
enforcing the law in emergencies only, !
without the necessity and heavy ex-
pense of calling out the militia or de-
claring martial law. While I am gov
ernor the law must and will be en-
forced
The state veterans welfare COM
mission for the former service men
and women Of the World war has
lone splendid work and has been eco !,
lomical, and should be continued
Conclusion.
In conclusion, may / remind you
that you are here as representatives
If the people of Idaho? The econom-
c situation that confronts us is so
much more critical and serious than
,ur political differences that | urge
lpon you all to forget your political
differences and factional quarrels, if
here be such, until solution of the
bigger problem Of economy in gov
,rnment is reached. In furtherance
IF fhiS nrOpram of pcOuOmv r 11rpn