Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-01-09

exists without one. puI III
ntt14 sm,ed iu snd scrupulousy safe
from fuarut the Evils Incident to its abuse
and very particular accounting
should be required as to the manner
in which it is used.
Such fund should be product or
specific legislative Appropriation IN or.
der to comply with the provisions OF
our constitution on this score, ana
might well be limited also to the pro-
ceeds of lapses from other funds as
of the finances of the
State. From my observation Of the
states business in recent years 1t
would seem that 100000 a year
should be ample for such purpose,
although such sum has been greatly
exceeded in expenditures from th's
fund in recent years.
The cash position of the state
Treasury is not comfortable one at
the present time. On December H.
1920, there was cash on hand to cover
the various reserve funds which are
in the nature of rust. On December
l, 1924, there WIS e deficit in cash To
cover these reserves of $S40,243.36.
The State Contingent Fund on De-
cember l, 1924. amounted to Sl,2So.5f.
Economy
If we are to regard the pledge OF
the lessons most forcefully taught by
the Incidents of the recent campaign,
it seems clear that economy was the
key mote that brought success. To that
we shall dedicate ourselves If We ,fol-
low the example and precept of the
National leader who symbolizes this
teaching as has no other man IN pup
lie life in our generation.
President Coolidge has made 1T clear
by his public utterances and his PR
vate practice that America or its econ
omic side needs. above all else. to re-
turn to the simple living and high
thinking of another day it we are not
to Journey he path of luxurious living
TO the same inevitable decay that mas
awaited other nations drunk with ma
terial success.
The frugality and simplicity tina,
characterized our forefathers as they
produced this State and Ma
ton from the wilderness of their day
teach in no uncertain terms the neces-
sity of sacrifice to success. We snail
never suffer for foregoing the pleas,
ures that now TEEN on every hand. All
the lessons Of history teach that ma
lions have persisted, debauched with
success.
Economy then in finance may well
be our watchword as We establish the
policy of our state for the two years
Immediately ahead. Some individual Is
will argue that such parsimony can
never Bring success Their policy is
not found written. however. in the
platform of either of the political par
ties in this State, and this would In
dictate rather clearly that it does not
command the confidence of large
groups of our population. On the
other hand, each platform does pledge
the stricteSt economy in government
tai affairs consistent with the proper
conduct of the affairs of the State.
Ia. lntfrnret -
ed into mandate not to spend un-
necessarily on any hand and to cur
tail wherever that shall be prudentiy
possible. Such seems fairly the obli-
cation of both the great parties IN
this State today, and the State wili
profit if they shall vie with one an
other in translating these words INTO
deeds. .
Unfortunately or otherwise it Is the
fact that a large portion OF the state
revenues have already been dedlcated
to various ends by statutory enact
ments carrying on from year to year.
Such enactments may in certain cases
be wise but the practice is not to De
encouraged as it materially cripples
the hands of the Legislature as the
sessions rccur. and tends TO AVOID tnat
recurrent responsibility to successive
Legislatures that is one Of the Keen
est indictments to faithful public ser
vice in the several departments OF our
state.
courteously invited me TO sit with
them during their public hearings
upon the estimates for the next two
years. 1t was the opinion OF al
concerned however. that it would
not be wise for me TO participate in
their executive sessions. The Bud
get law has certainly demonstrated
its wisdom in the time that IT has
been in effect and the report of thu
Budget Committee, which will short
~ he in your hands. deserves your
most careful attention as the con-
sdered recommendation of men OF
long experience In publie affairs ,h and
and finances of the State.
From 1887 to 1909 the tax rate OF
the. state was between -: and !
mills for the entire period, Then
elimination in 1919 in rate OF ~
mills as a result apparently of tho
expenditures incident to the close OF
the World War. Each mill rep
that we are dealing in substantial
amounts as this figure varies. TWO
years ago it was IA mills. and this
last year it has been go mills. a
continued reduction of this rate
would be the single greatest service
we could render the citizens of ouI
State. not only in the amount OF
money which it would save to them
which IS not OF negligible i'm
portance, but more particularly in
the municipalities of our State in a
rctrcnchment of governmental eX-
pcndtures at this critical time.
The agricultural interests OF oul
other in the liquidation incident t.
the close of the World War. Agri-
cultural prices have declined while
industrial prices have tended to re-
main firm and labor has retained the
more favorable position it then gain
1T would be very poor policy fol
our State at this time to increase in
any way the burden of taxation up
or the agriculture or the industries
OF our State. DESTROYS as we are
Immediately ahead in order tina,
they may recover something Of their
strength and vitality Slapped by the
sacrifices incident to the war.
The railroads of our State seem ia
be ground between the upper mill
stone of governmental regulation
and the lower milestone. of an in
creasng competition from other
factors in our transportation life
1t is a situation that must give every
thoughtful citizen very grave con-
Germ, as We realize the vital part
that transportation plays in the
functioning of modern civilization sc
dependent upon supplies from other
lands. 1t is evident that these great
81 TENS. built up by private init
alive and, enterprise, must be saved
our State is to continue to grow
The problems of their welfare
present considerations that are eX-
ceedingly complex. They stagger
the mind of the average citizen
ramifying, as they do. through every
department of commerce. agri-
culture. industry and finance. They
must. however. be faced with all the
consideration, and with all the
knowledge we may CLEAN from the
sometimes partial presentation OF
their case.