Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-05-14
FOR GOVERNORS TO CONSIDER

FOR GOVERNORS TO CONSIDER
We understand the Governors of
the several States are soon to meet
in Wyoming and endeavor to show
that States are not extravagant.
Evidently they are not unmindful of
the stories going the rounds of the
press to the effect that while the
Federal administration is showing
very noticeable symptoms of econ
omy, prudence and industry the
States, taken as a whole are not
making a good showing in these re-
spects.
1t will be difficult to disprove some
OF these charges. but 1t Is an
nounced that words will not be lack
ing in Wyoming next month when
the State executives assemble AT
Cheyenne; that Governor Smith of
New York and Governor Richie Of
Maryland will be there clad in the
lighting panoply of States rights.
Governor Smiths exploit along that
line at the Poland Springs conven-
ton did not appear to accomplish
much, but perhaps he will do better
at Cheyenne.
In this as in other matters 1t will
be entirely possible to go to ex-
tremes, though 1t does seem emin-
emily fitting that the executives of
our several States should enter their
protests against the encroachments
which Federal bureaucracy ever may
be depended upon to make under
any administration, Republican or
Democratic.
There are, however, certain facts,
which thrust themselves on public
notice, not always illuminated by
presentation Of all the conditions.
For instance States are spending a
lot of money on highways, expendi-
lures which the Federal Government
encourages and in most instances
good business dictates. There Is,
we believe. sound reason for the
statement that In some of the States
the public never before was getting
as much for its money as nowadays,
but 1t will be impossible to show
that lot of money Is not being
spent.
It Is said there is a rising indigna-
ton against Washington authorities
for putting forth propaganda invit-
ing comparisons between State and
Federal expenditures. 1t hardly
seems likely that the Committee of
Relations of the Eastern Railroads
are in cahoots with Federal bureau
Gratis in this matter. The above
committee enters the lists ostensibly
on behalf of the railroads. 1t pre-
sents statements like these; the year
1925 was the fifth since 1919 in which
railroad taxes exceeded dividends,
that the net earnings of one mile out
Of four goes to paying taxes. that
three fourths of these taxes are
levied by State and local govern
ments, that from Jan. 1920 to Jan.
1925 the national debts were re-
duced by four and a quarter billions
while for the like period the debts of
State and local governments in
creased by six and three quarter bill
lion dollars, that during this period
State governments contracted debts
about twenty times as fast as they
paid off old debts, going into debt
four and half times as fast as be-
fore the war.
Such are some of the statements
with which the Governors in their
convention will be confronted. We
assume it will not be difficult for
most of them to present plausible
showing of beneficent expenditure,
that the money has gone to good
purposes, has been used for the
things which the people want. for
good roads. for better care of de-
pendents, and so on. Even so. that
is not all to be considered. Com
munities. municipalities and States
can live beyond their means as well
as individuals. 1t is not easy to
draw the line between what may be
termed progressive expenditure,
which brings in returns after the
manner of good investments. and
that expenditure. which saddles an
unnecessary upkeep on the public
that in time must become such
burden as to hamper rather than
promote advancement.
49,.