Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1925-01-30

of Colonel Roland II. Hartley's mes.
sage to the assembled legislature de
livered here as part Of the inaugural
ceremony when he became governor
of the State of Washington:
To the members of the Legislature
of the State of Washington:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: As an
aspirant for the office of governor, ]
made the people of this state one prom
ise and only one, that II elected, l should
use my every effort to reduce the COST o.
government, by the simple standard OF
plaln business applied to such OF tho
state,s affairs as come under my direc-
tion and management In this effort, i
earnestly desire and solicit your CO.
operation.
realize that in our attempt to pursue
n course of strict economy we shall be
beset on the one hand, by the insistent
demand of sectional and occupational
groups, seeking to extend governmental
activities, and requesting new, or In
creased appropriations: and on the other
hand, by the no less lnsistent demand OF
the whole citizenship for reduced taxes
The two demands are Incompatible. We
and at the same time reduce the cost OF
government -
roo MUCH GOVERNED
We, may as we'll face the fact and face
it squarely that We are too much gov
erned. The agencies of government have
been multiplied, their ramifications ex e.
tended, their powers enlarged, and their
sphere widened, until the whole system is
top-heavy. We are drifting into n
dangerous and insidlous paternalism
submerging the self-relance of the citi-
zen, and weakening the responsibility
and stirling the Initiative of the indlyl-
dual We suffer not from too little legis--
lation, but from too much. We need
fewer enactments and more repeats. We
need. to call halt until the majority's
pocketbook catches up with the desires
and clamor of minorities for more gov
eminent and increased appropriations.
The tax burden constitutes the gravest
problem which today confronts the state
and the nation. So much so that taxa.
ton Is the great unsolved problem Of
government. Shifting the burden by no
means lightens 1t. Finding new sources
of revenue is ever fraught with the
uanger of opening up new avenues Of ex-
penditure. In dealing with the tax ques
ton, our first task is to reduce the cost
of conducting the publics business, not
to devise new ways and means OF raising
revenue to meet the mounting cost of
government. This can be accomplished
only by curtailing and simplifying the
functions Of government and by the
practice of hardheaded, listed
economy In meeting the requirements Of
essential public service. Such practice
will be In vogue during the next four
years in those departments under the
governors control.
STATE HIGHWAYS
The pay-as-you-go state highway coll
struction policy, reaching all sections of
our state and paid for largely by the
users of such highways, should be coll
tinued under building schedule as
liberal as an economical construction
policy permits. A too rapid construction
may mean increased unit cost and add to
the difficulty of proper supervision.
A construction program involving the
expenditure of five million dollars per
annum would meet this situation and
such a plan would permit the abandon
ment Of the last of the direct taxes on
account of road work.
I therefore favor that the permanent
highway tax, formerly IL mills, be not
levied, the counties to be compensated
for this loss of revenue through appor-
tionment Of the gasoline tax on the same
basis as under the permanent highway
levy distribution. This plan would be In
harmony with the policy of using all Of
the revenue arising from the use Of roads
for road construction and maintenance
purposes.
The increasing regular use of the high
ways for public transport suggests those
so using should pay commensura te and
fair sum for such privilege and use.
BUDGET LAW.
AS means to greater economy this
state needs more stringent budget re-
quirements. The making Of budget
should not be left to expanding officials
nor to an ex-offlcio board of cursory and
perfunctory review. Neither should it be
thrust upon the over-worked, time
pressed. appropriations committees Of
the legislature. Budget-making should
be mandatory upon some official whose
duty it is to study the needs of govern
ment and whose purpose it is to reduce
the cost Of government.
UneXpended balances in the various
funds at the close of a year or biennium
do not necessarily reflect economy Such
balances are evidence that those re-
sponsible for the estimates guessed poor.
ly rather than expended wisely. The
true measure of economy is the sum
taken from the people in taxes, fees and
assessments, for the purposes Of gov
eminent. The needs Of the state can
never be paramount to the citizens abil-
ity to pay. The welfare of the indi-
vidual should never be lost sight of in
making budget. The Taxpayers money
should be left in his own pocket for his
and inert In the state treasury.
recommend an executive budget to
be prepared by the state director Of eff
cheney for submission to the governor
for his approval and later presented to
the legislature for consideration and ac-
ton budget so prepared will show,
in complete detail. every contemplated
expenditure of every department and ac-
tivity of the state, to every member of
the legislature, prior to its meeting, ana
would be an earnest of greater economy
and a long step forward In sound public
administration.
Those states most advanced in mod
ern business methods are now using n
budget so prepared, and bill to provide
such a budget will be drawn and sub
mltted to your early consideration.
TAXATION
Taxation and public expenditure are
inseparable. Relief In the former can be
had only by spending less and combining
the states activities rs far as possible
to the essentials of government.
Fair financial provisions must always
be made for the growth of our necessary
institutions and functions, but | am OPP
posed to any expansion or extension of
the. states other activities, and purpose
making q critical survey of some now
performed that might in the public in
terest be abandoned.
Before greatly modifying or consider
Ing important changes of our revenue
years Of legislative and administrative
experience, should be perfected through
the functioning of a state board of com
<<~><e>e>%>%oeoee~es~eeeee
! TQE A MI OF