The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1924-10-03


Republican Candidate for Governor
the $40,0OO,000 appropriated by the
1928 legislature, $21,5O0,000 was for
education. Appropriations for state
aid to high, graded and rural schools
increased from $3,500,000 n 1913 to
$12,000,000 in 1928.
If the increase in state aid were
deducted from the 1923 totals, the in
crease of appropriations for 1923
would be Sc per cent over the appro-
priations for 1913, an average increase
of per cent per year. The increase
in school aid for the same period has
been 243 per cent-more than "a per
cent per year.
Highways.
Minnesota's record in the building
of roads is one of achievement. The
1000 miles of Trunk highways have
been improved and maintained with
great efficiency, without the appro-
priation of dollar from funds pro-
vided by the general taxpayer. Own
ers of motor vehicles have furnished
the funds.
It is a source of qualification to the
people of Minnesota that the admins
tration of its great road fund has been
at all times above suspicion. A great
responsibility was placed in the hands
of one man, and that responsibility
was not misplaced. 1t is the hope of
every good citizen that the highway
department be kept out of politics in
the future as it has been in the past,
and that capacity for service and in
tegrity of purpose be the sole consid-
Grafton in the appointment of men to
administer it's functions. There can
be differences of opinion as to policy,
There can be no differences of opin-
ion as to the need of character and
capacity in those who are chosen to
do the work of the state.
Conservation.
Minnesota is rich in her inheritance
of natural resources. In fertile fields
and iron mines she leads the civilized
world. Large stands of virgin timber
yet remain in the northeast section
of the state, and our responsibility at
the present time Is for their future
If elected governor, l shall use every
power of the office to conserve our
public domain, and our wealth in min
erals, timber, land and power. The
states iron must be made to yield it's
greatest revenue through the benefi-
cation of low-grade ore. Our timber
must be conserved by solving our
pressing problems of fire prevention,
conservation of immature timber and
reforestation.
Relief From Tax Burden.
Relief from the burden of excessive
taxation presents the predominant is
sue of the campaign and the subject of
most vital interest to the people of
Minnesota. 1t is true that less than 10
per cent of the tax burden is imposed
by the state government, but the state
government owes the duty of setting
an example to counties, cities, villages,
townships and school districts. Wher-
ever excessive and unnecessary local
expenditures are made necessary by
state laws, such laws should be re-
placed or amended.
One of the largest items of govern
mental expenditure is interest on
bonded Indebtedness. In Minnesota
public Indebtedness has increased 2S3
per cent in ten years and now aggre-
gates $300,000,000. Practically all of
this is indebtedness of counties, cities,
villages, townships and school distric g
In fact, the Indebtedness of the state
government, exclusive Of rural credits
bonds, is only about $15,000,000-o
which twelve millions are soldier
bonus certificates Communities have
voted bonds, often in utter disregard Of
IT, 20 81
issue has ,een pyramided on bond is
sue, until the interest alone necessi-
tates large tax levy. Other states have
had the same experience. In Iowa the
percentage of, Increase in ten years
has been 329, in Michigan 500. If the
tendency of the last decade continues
during the life of the present genera
ton our posterity will face burden
that will present the alternative Of
confiscation or reputation.
The remedy is to compel the genera
ton that creates Indebtedness to dis
charge it. Enact legislation that will
make null and void bonds, issued for
any purpose except refundment Of
existing obligations, which do not
carry with them a definite tex levy
running over the period of the bonds
sufficient at the expiration of that
period to discharge those bonds.
1t is said that the total public indebt-
edness of the American people at the
present time is $4,000, 000, 900, and the
wealth of America has been estimated
at $3.50. 0O0, 600, 900. It appears, there
fore, that our public Indebtedness is
16 per cent of the national wealth.
We must set our faces resolutely
against proposals that will necessitate
large increases Of bonded indebted
ness. The so-called Farmer-Labor
party and its candidates are COM
mitted to public ownership of trans
portation. including stockyards, large
abattoirs, grain elevators, terminal
warehouses, of principal natural re-
sources, such as coal. oil. natural gas.
mineral deposits. large water powers