The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-06-07

Shafer Attacks
N~onpartisans in
Talk at Steele

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N~onpartisans in
Talk at Steele
Continued from page one)
OF specific meaning as their Elusive
platform"
Makes Recommendation
He also recommended:
Creation of a survey commission to
examine the entire governmental ma
chinery Ct the state and its subdi-
visions.
Adoption of an amendment to the
state constitution providing for four
year terms of state and county Of
ficers.
Continuance of the present "con-
sentative policy of management Of
the Bank of North Dakota"
Creation of a banking code COM
mission.
Exemption of all stored grain from
assessment and taxation.
Creation of a state mill and eleva-
tor commission. to relieve the gover-
nor Of the duties of managing the
business.
A sales tax on oleomargarine and
other butter substitutes.
Improvement of 1.-The present meth
Cd of administering the state hail in
surance law"
Governor Shafer pointed to the rec
ord of Independent officials Is lone
of constructive endeavor and good
results"
THE conduct of the state govern
ment," he continued, involves the
administration and supervision Of
many departments and institutions,
some of which are entirely govern
mental and others of which are
wholly industrial or commercial in
character.
During the past year and a half
all departments of the state and in
dustries under independent control,
have, we believe, been conducted IN a
fairly efficient and economical man.
ner and in the best interests of the
people. The manner in which the
powers of the government have been
exercised. has, at all times, been char
acterized by a spirit OF fairness. which
has inspired the confidence and APP
prevail of both the agricultural and
business interests of the state"
Turning to a discussion Of taxes
and economy. Cover. O. Shafer de-
clared the welfare of the people has
demanded that strict economy be OBJ
served in state affairs"
Have Kept Pledges
TN this respect" he added. I'VE
have faithfully kept our pledge to the
people. The state tax levy for 1929
was the lowest since 1920. In 1922
the state tax levy was $4,765, 284, or
1870 per cent of all property taxes
levied for local and state purposes,
while in 1929 the state levy was So
1853, Il or 1852 per cent of all prop
erty taxes levied for all purposes.
Both the amount and rate of state
taxes on real and personal property
has steadily diminished in recent
years. and we propose, If this ad-
ministration Is continued In power, to
bring them down to q still lower
point"
mo more state industries was the
theme of the governors discussion on
the state industrial program.
I'VE defeated the League ticket two
years ago upon the issue of no further
state industries" he declared. 1--WE
assured the people that no more ap-
preparations would be made and no
further debts would be created
against the state under our admins
tration for any expansion of the state
industrial program, except to finance
the Farm Loan Department. of the
Bank of North Dakota. This pledge
has likewise been kept.
There have been no further ap-
propriations and no more bonds is
sued for business purposes other than
for rural credit purposes. Instead of
issuing more industrial bonds we have
retired 81, 200, 1000 of Bank Of North
Dakota bonds and $500. 900 of milling
bonds and reduced interest charges
$50, 900 annually. Thus the people
Of the state have been spared the
burden Of additional taxes and finan-
cial loss which inevitably follows a
policy Of state operated business and
the credit of the state has been pre-
served. It Is our firm determination
to continue this policy of %retrench-
ment If we are again honored with a
vote of confidence at the hands of the
taxpayers Of the state"
Wants Survey Made
Recommending the creation of a
survey commission. the governor said
that 10 per cent Of all property taxes
are required to operate the state gov
eminent, while nearly 80 per cent is
devoted to tn operation Of all local
governments.
"A policy Of economy, in order to be
substantially effective" he continued,
must be applied to local subdivisions
as well as the state.
II recommended to the legislature
that a governmental survey commits
sion be created with power to make a
careful survey of our whole system Of
governmental machinery from top to
bottom, including all state depart
ments, municipalities and political
subdivisions, and to make recommen-
dations for such changes and CONSOLE
datiOns as would result in q better
system of government at less cost to
the people. A bill to carry this rec
ommendation into effect passed the
house, but was defeated In the senate
by the League opposition. In my
Judgment this bill had merit"
It would be in the interest of gov
ernmental efficiency. Governor Shafer
asserted. to amend the state consti-
tuition providing for four-year terms
for state and county officers. FIRE.
quent campaigns. he said. cause ne
glect Of public duties and wasteful-
ness.
Tho oovar,or eaiA ha ,,road the loo.