Evening star., 1939-11-19

A series Of budgetary deficits had piled
up State debt of s40,000000. Little ef-
fort had been made to balance income
like wolves around the Governors door,
step from the moment he took over. He
opened State employment Office and
10000 registered for jobs
The Republican Governor had to per-
form, as Republican President would
have to, number of highly unpleasant
tasks. First of all he had to hike taxes
substantially. The Legislature did grant
him minor increase on dog racing,
from 100000 to S450,000 The tax on
liquor was increased from 100000 to
s2,80000 The income surtaX was boost
ed from $4,000 900 to s6,0OO,000 The most
unpopular levy of all was a new tax on
cigarettes estimated to yield around s6,-
100000 year. Petitions are being circu-
lated to have referendum on this tax
and Saltonstall has warned that if it is
voted down the economy of the State will
be left in chaos.
He says that the State debt will be re-
duced by more than s18,000,000 this year.
He says THAI the budget has been bal
anced. And he is proud of this achieve
ment. At the same time he frankly
recognizes that no very substantial re-
duction can be made in relief and other
major State expenditures
On the subject of the ancient. graft
that plaques his State, Gov. Saltonstall
is realistic. Boston is an old community.
And the Bostonian likes to remind out
siders that Rome was neither built in
day nor destroyed in a day
No single boss Like Pendergast has
ruled here. There is no dominant ma
chine in either the Democratic or Re-
publican party. Those few men who
hold the business and financial controls
in this tightly drawn community have
acquired kind of tolerance for the pro-
fesslonal machine politician who not in
frequently enriches himself by outside
activities
Dog Tracks Pay.
They tolerated the dog tracks, although
there is reform element that is fighting
this form of gambling. Both Republican
politicians and Democratic politicians
have made their profit from helping the
dog track owners come to terms with
off1cialdom. There was actually move
on the part of certain hardboiled Repub-
lican leaders to start another track most
OF the proceeds of which would 60 toward
building up Republican campaign fund
for 1910. And it was not until the Gov
ernor himself acted that highly placed
Republicans moved to call off this little
venture.
Earnest and determined men are work.
ing to clean up Boston. The Boston Bar
Association has been conducting a long
investigation into the activity of various
officials, resulting in various designations,
the most recent being that of Sheriff
John F. Dowd, who told reporters he was
stepping out to protect his friends.
The investigation and the Governors
efforts to clean up past debris are no in
dication of an abnormal condition in
Massachusetts. The irrepressible Curley
may run for mayor again despite his
defeat the last time he ran Or he may
run for United States Senator from Ne
vada, where he is exploiting what is
apparently highly profitable gold mine
May Seek Vice Presidency
Gov. Saltonstall is considered possi-
bility for Vice President should shifting
political fortunes cast Westerner in
the leading Republican role in 40. If he
runs for reelection his opponent will
'probably be the present Attorney Gen.
eral Paul A. Dever Dever, who won in
spite of the rebuke to Curley and Hur-
ley implicit in Saltonstalls victory, has
enhanced his stature during the past
year.
Politics as usual during alterations"
That is the sign that hangs out here.
Behind the scenes the plaster is falling,
the partitions are coming out. When it
is over, if everything goes we'll, the
structure will be tidier and cleaner, but
not substantially changed.