The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-12-13
(Official City, State and County
Newspaper)
Foreign Representatives
SMALL. SPENCER, BREWER
uncorporated)
CHICAGO NEW YORK BOSTON
Slashing State Budget


Eighty per cent of the state budget
cut Is occasioned by the twenty per
cent salary reduction voted by the
people at the November elections
Twenty per cent Of the 1884 $40 cut,
or approximately $4,000, represents
merely a start in economical state ad-
ministration il the suit is to be cut
from cloth available. This cut is
e420, 900 short of what william LANCER,
governor-elect, promised on the hust-
ings, for OF course he did not include
in his campaign pledge the salary cut
which had not then been approved
by the voters.
Undoubtedly, the legislature can
still cut a cool million or even more
from the state budget il it 50 desires.
Consultations of commissions and
departments as well as abolition of
useless commissions can easily effect
that saving.
Several special commissions named
for specific purposes by the last legis-
lative session will undoubtedly be dis
charged by this session after their re-
ports have been presented.
Great savings can be made in the
administration OF the game and fish
department although this office is a
popular and effective political tool.
Fees collected for its operation could
be diverted to the general fund and
its duties assumed by another depart
ment Of government not overburdened
with administrative duties.
Operation of the motor vehicle IL
censing department is responsible for
heavy governmental overhead. Some
states like New York place the adj
ministration OF this department un-
der a bureau in the tax commission
er's office.
Not long ago one Of The Tribune
readers suggested certain economies
which could be practiced in trans
porting inmates to the state penal
and charitable institutions. His sug-
gestions at least are worthy Of in
vestigation.
Thousands of dollars can be saved,
too, in preventing duplication of
courses at the various educational in
situations. There have been several
educational surveys made in this
state. Some of them contain valuable
suggestions in the interests of econ
omy. Legislative committees inter-
ested in governmental economy might
well rescue these from the dusty ar
chives and apply some OF the reme-
dies prescribed.
Abolition of the state licensing de-
partment would effect saving
There is no reason why the control
of pool halls and other businesses
should not be returned to the local
governing bodies. Creation Of this de-
| partment had in mind an agency
which might further political organi-
zation and control.
Many functions such as seed in
spection. to name only one of many,
should be restored to the Agriculture
College where there are experts and
laboratories for these specific duties.
Much duplication can be eliminated
in this way.
1t is impossible in the length of one
editorial to suggest all the consolida-
lions and eliiminations that can be
made In the interests Of government
tai economy. OF course many OF
these will clash with the political am
billions Of certain individuals and it
is not an easy task to lop off jobs
when patronage is the life blood Of
political organizations.
II good job is not done by this
session, however, the state will have
mass Of bills at the next election
aimed at retrenchment. The Job can
be done much better by the legisla-
tors.