The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-01-30

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Shouting economy with might and
main, members of the Legislature,
egged on by the folks back home,
are nevertheless examining requests
for appropriations into the leglsla-
tive hopper with both hands.
Economy" is our slogan. We
! mouth it manfully on every occa-
sion, but our appetite for plums that
will please the home folks and make
them think We are statesman is
just as keen as ever.
The Legislature of two years ago
spent $40, 600 for the biennium
Already the various state depart
ments and different state activities
have sent in requests that exceed
this figure by more than $6,000,0OO,
and the raid on the state treasury
is only beginning. Many OF the
state departments are actually ask
ing for less money this year, but
others are not so backward. The
g me and fish department, for IN
ssance is not at all satisfied with
what it got two years ago; 1t de-
mands a modest increase of $1,20O,-
900. The live stock sanitary board
wants an increase of $500, 900; the
advisory commission for consump-
| tives wants $550,000 more pap; the
public schools of the state which
got more than ten millions in state
aid during the past biennium are
hungrier than ever; they want a
trife of 100000 more for the
coming biennium, ETC., etc.
This increase of some $4,000, 900
in departmental requests is evident
" only a starter. There are other
activities with real appetites. There
are the Spanish War Veterans, for
instance; hey'd like $1,500,00O
bonus. All the state fair wants is
a new swine barn t cost $500, 900,
or maybe 100000. The high schools
and the graded schools say they
we're not paid in full and they think
it only fair that they get def
cheney appropriation of $1,400,000.
Lurking in he offing, with lean
and hungry look and blood in the
eye, is a faction of the world war
veterans who did not get the ST.
100000 they wanted two years ago
for a school of technology. There
are others, plenty of them smaller
fry, who only want park to cost
$40, 900, or a bit of land at $780,
900, or new state institution with
a mere 100000 for beginning.
Requests for appropriations from
/, the forty-fourth legislature, which
have already arrived or whose foot
steps may plainly be heard, already
total close to $55, 100000, and when
they are all finally drawn up in
battle array for the Legislative on
slaught they may reach the formid-
able total of a full 100000, 600.
And who is it that urges on these
vast appropriations? The very folks
from every quarter of the state who
are so vociferously demanding that
the legislature practice economy to
the extent of making the 1925 APP
preparations less than the 1923 ex-
penditures.
Delegations demanding money for
this and for that are already cooling
their heels outside the doors of the
finance committee rooms of the
senate and house. Please, Mr.. and
nniS. SOilsIltucHto, Stflu US uOWH d
few delegations demanding fewer
and smaller expenditures.
Patronage Troubles.
The Governor Is not the only one
who has to fight with the office
seeker. The Secretary of State,
who has charge of registering motor
vehicles has more than 200 APP
plicants for jobs on his waiting list.
No wonder Mike Holm's hair is
white. These jobs pay very mod
est salarits, but that does not dis
courage the demand one whit With
some 65 to 10 employees needed in
the house, the Speaker was con-
fronted this year with demands by.
members that more than 800 con-
stituents be placed on the pay rolls.
The pay is liberal, but by the time
the employee deducts his living ex-
penses he finds that had he remain
ed at home he would have been bet