The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1941-01-08
FULL TEXT OF The MESSAGE OF
GOVERNOR SAM c. FORD TO The
9TH LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

and property loss is lamentable. 1t is
my sincere hope that adequate legis.
lation will be enacted to correct, so
far as possible, this condition. 1t is
my firm conviction that enactment
and strict enforcement of uniform
drivers license law, requiring exami-
nation for new drivers only, will mini
mize the toll now exacted by highway
accidents.
Experience during the last four
years has demonstrated many weak
Inesses in our liquor control laws. The
recent campaign provides ample proof
for the conclusion that the liquor bust
ness has no place in politics, and that
the administration of our liquor laws
must be divorced from politics and
political corruption. | concur in a
statement made by an administrative
officer who said:
Liquor and politics, fermented in
the same vat, have always produced
corruption and always will"
l sincerely hope that our liquor laws
may ltCciNt yOul anu Scll CluA
consideration so that present defects
and abuses may be cured.
Highway Legislation
One of our most serious and import
ant problems and one which demands
and merits your most earnest consider
alton, is the future of our highway
system.
Some months ago the state was
notified that federal grants for assist
ance in highway construction in this
and other states would be reduced rs
percent for the biennium 1941-43. Ad-
we are advised that the gov
is laying plans for the con-
struction of defense highways through
out the nation. 1t is proposed that in
the building of such roads the state
pay the same proportion as under the
present system. Should such plan
be carried out, the completion of our
present system and the maintenance
Of existing roads will be gravely af-
Pected.
1t is apparent that reconstruction
and maintenance costs will mount dur
ing the coming years, while no sub
3tantial gain in revenues may be an
.icipated Obviously, then, it is i'm
1erative that we shape our course SO |
hat we may make the most of the |
money available.
l advise that a thorough and i'm
partial study of past, present and |
uture construction, maintenance and |
financing be made SO that appropri-
tie legislation may be enacted to pro-
ride for long term highway program.
Mater Conservation
For the past six years the state,
With substantial assistance from the
ederal government, has carried on
n extensive water conservation pro-
ram. Many projects have been COM
leted The utility of some projects
5 questionable, and while others are
eported completed, it will require
considerable money before they can
e brought to high degree of eff
iency
On November Is, 1910, Mai e. w.
,itchie, who had been in charge Of
he Public Works Administration ac-
ivities on these projects, was recalled
y the federal government and the
tate informed that further grants in [
id for construction would not be |
lade by the government.
We must continue this important ]
-ork but it is obvious that further /
evelopment must be of small prof. ]
cts, those which can be financed by :
he landowner with such assistance G
'om the state as our finances will /
ermit. s
May l suggest that thorough in
Of the water conservation 6
oard and it's activities be made in s
Continued on Page Four