, 1925-01-15
The Governor Message

The important thing in the opening days of any
legislature is the governors message which is
presented to outline in general the work before
the legislative bodies. Much of it, of course, is
FOR public consumption, and in most of it the best
foot Is mt foremost. No one ever heard of a
governors message that did not emphasize the
necessity for ECONOMY" and "retrenclment," two
terms that especially belong in documents of this
4 character. What becomes of them meanwhile no
body knows. So far as anybody does know, they
are read in the message and then put back in the
cans, where they belong, to repose until they are
again needed, four years later. If a governor
could ever be sincere in matters of economy, mean
exactly what his words imply, he would be spe-
cific and point out the way. He would designate
the expense that could be Topped off without
impairmg the functioning of any particular state
activity. For instance in this state numerous bur.
eaus and commissions could be abolished without
.injuring in the slightest degree the public serv.
ice of the state departments, but on the contrary
improving that service.
The message of Governor Ross delivered to the
legislature today contained several worthy sug-
~gestions, and among them is tax reduction and
budget system in counties and cities of the state.
The governor points out the well-known fact that
in the year just closed, school districts received
E AAOiG 1ALA 49, A0AA - $500
lected in the state. Twenty-Five per cent of the
taxes levied went to countries, municipalities Sc
cured 16.9 per cent while the state took 1874 per
cent. The governor citicizes the percentages as
too high on the part of school districts, counties
and municipalities, but defends the state tax as
reasonable. 1t may be. But a reduction of fifty
per cent in all taxes would be more nearly APP
propriate for a state like Wyoming and the coun-
ties and cities within her borders.
Agricultural relief through the farm loan plan
has aided distressed farmers to considerable ex-
tent. This is undoubtedly true, yet to the law of
supply and demand may be credited an equal
share in any prosperity that has come TO the
agricultural interests of the state in recent
months.
The governor finds the revenue from oil royal
..ties very satisfactory, but urges the discovery of
a better utilization of the black oils of the state.
The executive shows entire confidence in the
state university and its growing usefulness; and
hopes for an early adjudication of all questions
relating to interstate streams. 1t is the belief of
the governor that a uniform eight hour day
should be accorded women as the same has been
granted 10 men
She fayors the adoption of the proposed child
labor amendment to the federal constitution, dele
eating to congress the right 10 control the en-.
ploYlmeht OF cnndfen under the age OF eighteen
years.
The governor remains firm for the law enforce.
rnent department and seems entirely satisfied
with the work it is performing.
The governor pays attention to what she calls
The bank problem She favors the adoption of
a strong banking act and some form of guar
nnty provision. She desires the state examiners
department to be vested with larger and more
comprehensive powers and an increase in force
adequate TO cover not only public officers but
banks by more frequent examinations. She also
favors the assessment of n fec for examination
Of banks.
On the whole the governors message is a rather
fair presentation OF a limited number Of matters
engaging public attention IT Is not what would
be called a positive document, but it adheres very
closely TO the policies favored by the governors
.lamented predecessor.
= There is ono minor feature OF the message upon
which there was considerable curiosity. 1t con.
-tains not a single distinctively feminine utter.
ance,