The St. Paul echo., 1926-05-15
labor.

40 CouulGiOu - one Oh the ODugat1OnS
OF government. That obligation our
State has not shirked. In the meas.
ure Of compensation provided by law
for injured workmen, she stands near
the top. Minnesota has also made
substantial progress in the protection
OF women and children in industry.
Through the establishment of en-
ployment offices which closely CO.
operate with the Federal employment
service, Minnesota is helping to solve
the seasonal unemployment problem
by bringing together the jobless man
and the manless job. The labor re-
quirements Of agriculture are being
met and involuntary idleness reduced
to a minimum. Thus the interests of
both farmer and laborer are served.
Waterways.
1t was my privilege, as chairman
Of the House appropriations commit
tee, to have had hand in the initia-
ton Of the waterways development
movement in Minnesota. The appro-
priation made by our legislature in
1919 was not only the first appropria-
ton made by any State to further the
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence project; 1t
was the beginning of the project. Dur
ing the present year, further impetus
has been given the movement by
calling a Tidewater Congress, which
served to emphasize the demand of
the people of the Middle West for
an outlet to the sea. Assistance has
also been given an energetic and
Of nj
have succeeded in definitely commit.
ting the Federal government to
policy OF immediate development of
barge-transportation on the Missis-
sippi.
Highways.
Minnesota's record in the building
Of roads has been one of achieve
ment. Seven thousand miles of trunk
highways are being improved and
maintained without creating any obli-
cations for posterity to discharge, and
without appropriating a dollar from
funds provided by the general tax
payer. During the present year, ITO
miles of road will be paved, and mas.
much as there will be no outstand-
ing, interest-bearing obligations rep
resenting the cost of paving, the en-
tire saving in road maintenance re-
sulting from the paving will be avail
able for further improvements. It is
a source of qualification that the ad-
ministration of Minnesota's road fund
has at all times been above suspicion.
A great responsibility was placed in
the hands of one man, and that re-
sponsibility has not been misplaced.
The last Legislature passed a law
imposing tax on gasoline, pursuant
to the constitutional amendment rati-
fed by the people at the last general
election. The Legislature at the
same session effected a substantial
reduction in the tax on automobiles.
The gasoline tax, which is yielding
S4,543,000 per year, is being collected
at an average cost of only $289.00 per
month.
Law Enforcement.
AS Governor, l have not hesitated
to use the power Of the State to Sc
cure full and impartial enforcement
Of law and the investigation of crime.
BY executive. order commission was
created charged with the duty of
studying the problem of crime in Min.
nesota and reporting its findings to
the Legislature with recommendation
OF such legislation as may be neces-
sary and desirable to cope adequately
with the situation.
Conservation Of Resources.
Through a consolidation of most
departments and boards which had
to do with the States natural re-
sources into Department of Conser-
walton, there has been effected a bet
ter coordination of the conservation
activities of the State.
The reforestation of denuded forest
areas is one of the greatest needs of
the people of Minnesota. l would not
minimize the importance and value
OF such measures as regulation of
cutting, artificial planting and the
setting aside of wooded areas into
forest reserves; but I would particu.
larly emphasize the imperative neces-
sity of controlling forest fires and Of
placing the taxation of cut-over lands
devoted in good faith to reforestation
on such basis as to compel the
owners of such lands to take effective
reforestation measures.
Closely related to the conservation
of forests is that Of our game and
fish resources. Minnesota counts the
tourist business as great asset, but
II tourists shall continue to come in
ever increasing numbers, we must
have something to offer them after
they get here. Replacement and pro-
lection of wild life are, therefore, very
important. :