Montana labor news., 1932-07-14
These figures only tell part of the story.
ing the Western Progressive:

These figures only tell part of the story. Again quot
ing the Western Progressive:
During the first four years of his administration, the revenue accru-
ing to the state general fund amounted to S316l 1882 more than the
total receipts o. the fund during Governor Dixons administration.
THE INCREASED REVENUE OF THE STATE GENERAL
FUND DURING THE FIRST FOUR YEARS OF HIS ADMIN
ISTRATION WOULD HAVE WIPED OUT THE GENERAL FUND
INSTEAD, IT WAS DIssIPATED IN AN ORGY OF ExTRAvA-
CANT SPENDING OF THE TAXPAYERS MONEY. THESE is
NO CONSTRUCTIVE THING TO SHOW FOR 1T.
In the second place, what has Erickson ever done for
Labor and the working man? In 1880, during the Ma
chinists' and Transfers strike Erickson said that if one
person in authority in Butte asked for the militia he would
send them in. When asked to come to Butte to investi-
gate conditions, he stated that he was afraid he would
be dynamited if he came. His fear of Butte dynamite
seemed lost when he came into Butte last Sunday seeking
ballots through his address to one of Butte's leading fra
ternal organizations. Every labor law in the state, inso-
far as state construction work is concerned, is being open
ly violated and Erickson refuses to heed the testimony
OF labor investigators and act accordingly. Erickson
also signed the Convict Labor law, allowing brick for
public institutions to be made by prison labor, when every
labor organization in the state of Montana opposed the
bill. Such, in brief, is the way Erickson has given Labor
a square deal.
We also reprint the accusations against Governor
Ericksons administration, as made by Senator Kane,
that appeared in the Labor News of May s:
According to the state press, Governor Erickson, in announcing his
candidacy, mentions the state debt. This is the first public admission
by him that there is a state Indebtedness, which he promised to pay
off in the first four years of his administration The governor states
that the debt is about s,5OOOOO and informs the voters that the debt
has been reduced. This is the first statement given out officially by
the governor Dr. any person in authority at Helena, as to the financial
condition of the state. l ask the people of this county and state to
compare Governor Ernksons figures with the temized figures given
by me in previous letters. My figures were obtained from records in
Helena and can be verified in every detail invite the governor OF
any state empoye to write a statement, W his signature, a s have
done, and dispute any item in my previous statements will then
inform him as to which office he should go to find the records.
How Figures Are Juggled.
As to the manner in which accounts ar switched in the capitol, will
give n illustration out of many. Last year the employees in the
highway department issued $70OO 900 in warrants, without any authority
that car discover. Since January they have been taking up these
warrants, issued against the trust fund, with the collections from the
gas tax. This cash is then taken out and used 20 pay the expenses of
state administration and that is the reason W ire not constructing
any new highways this year. There were still $1107O00 unpaid on
April l, but this reduction is called reducing the state debt" When
these warrants are paid, the gas tax will then have to be used to pay
the contractors from last year. This will take most of it out of the
state and cannot be switched around.
A Costly Administration.
The Erickson regime has expended state revenue far n excess of any
previous administration in the history of Montana. Prior to 1921, the
mill levy, for all state purposes, was 2h mills. In 1921 it was raised
to 4 13 mills. 1t is low 5 13 mills. From 1921 to 1924, inclusive,
the sums paid to the state from special license taxes averaged $685.
61 per year. l have not the figures available for 1881, but in the
previous six years of the Erickson administration the average yearly
payment from the above sources a ST. ,031. This does not in
cude the mill levy or the gasoline tax, but is principally lew taxes.
AS to how they are getting rid of some of this money, call your
attention to the fact that last September, in spite of conditions in this
state, the governor and the board raised the salaries of many of the
employees.
AS to Bankruptcy Charge.
AS to my statement that the state administration has been bank
rupted by mHmanagement, which the governor sc Indignantly denies,
l will give the facts and leave it to the voters to decide who is right.
Since last January the governor and his employees have been trying to
borrow 81 100000 OIL debentures, voted by the people. Some time ago
the governor called the managers Of the chain banks and the Federal
Reserve Bank at Helena into a conference and asked them as a special
favor to lend this money to complete the unfinished roads of this state.
He did not receive it. This a the greatest humiliation that could
BUY A.