Gunnison news-champion. [volume] (Gunnison, Colo.) 1905-1932, 1923-03-30
the actual needs Of u. rural commun-

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ities.)
will not take time to discuss the
short criticism of the Lambert bill,
but merely copy the last part of their
report on this measure: (The words
in parenthesis are again mine-)
No claim is made for great reduc-
ton in expenses under the Lambert
bill taitho. rs / have stated in 9
former letter, the hackers of the bill
believe they can show every dollar
saved under this bill that could be
saved under the administrative code
BILLY The Lambert bill proposes Q
limited adjustment and systemization
of state agencies and seems to go
nearly as far as is consistent with the
spirit of our present constitution
The conclusion of this committee is
that neither of these bills involve great
savings of public money, and that
neither promises any large improve
ment in the system of administrative
control in state government. We
think the public exaggerates the
amount of money which can be saved
by any readjustment by state admins
trative agencies, and that regardless
Of amount any such reimbursement
should be made by substantial con-
stitutional revision and can not be
made by Legislative action.
1t is this last part of the report
that wish to enlarge upon, and
believe show the impossibility of any
noticeable saving in taxes as the re-
suit Of any code bill which has for
its purpose cutting down of admins
trative cost for state government.
There is no doubt, great merit in
the effort to consolidate boards,
bureaus and departments which dupli-
cate one another's work, and there is
still more merit in eliminating those
which tho of more or less expense to
the taxpayers, do not function proper
ly. However, even tho the Lambert
bill passes this session of the legisla.
ture, there can not hope to be any
noticeable difference in our tax sche-
dule. There will be greater centraliza-
ton Of authority and consequently
more efficiency under the proper cleo
tive officers, perhaps as great as il is
possible or desirable under our pres
ent Civil Service and constitutional
laws, and perhaps as great as can be
accomplished without a constitutional
convention, which, of course, would
amount in expense TO something like
half million dollars-but the saving
in taxes will be negligible.
In letter several weeks ago, !
gave these figures which l wish TO re-
peat, namely, that from the years 1915
to 1921 the increase in the total state
tax amounted to about 4,20O, 900 and
that Of this amount only $40 per cent
was for administrative expenses. made
necessary by additional obligations OF
the state, as against 63 per cent or
81 ,66S, 623 to be exact, for educational
institutions and highway expenses.
II therefore is very plains that If
there is to be any noticeable reduc-
ton in state taxes or county taxes,
It must be along the reduction in
the expenses of public highways and
educational institutions, and am not
prepared to say that the people of
Colorado at this time wish to go to
this extreme. To prove the state
ments which have asked Mr.. G. A.
Lemmers, the Budget and Efficiency
Expert, under Governor Shoup, to
prepare for me figures which would
show the cost of the various education
al and penal institutions of the state,
the highway department and the cost
Of administration within the state.
The following facts and figures are
taken from his letter to me in answer
to my request:
"You asked me to itemize and an
alyse the state mill levy Of 4.48 mills
or N.4S taxes on every $1,000 Of
valuation and which produced $685.
807.65 for 1922, or the tax due and
payable in the present year Of our
Lord.
OF this grand total, $2,s19, 1885, AZ, or
10 per cent plus is for state education
a institutions, divided as follows: