Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1942-09-04
Stassen Lists
Proposals for
1913 Legislature
Maps Out Program to Meet Critical
War Problems and Outlines
Financial Gains of Past
Four Years
(By stassen Publicity service)

Four Years
(By Stassen Publicity Service)
Summarizing the improvements
made in the state government dur
ing the past four years, Governor
Harold E. Stassen in an address
this week outlined a program for
the coming session of the legisla-
tuze which he said will be neces-
sary to consolidate these gains and
meet the problems growing out Of
the war.
Highlighted in the Governors
address, along with social and well
fare advances, was a summary OF
financial gains, which, he said, have
resulted from four years of Re-
publican administration. Support
ing his statements with certified
copies of reports from the offices
of State Auditor Stafford King and
State Treasurer julius Schmahl,
Governor Stassen said improve
ments had been made as follows:
Total state spending has been re-
duced from $1O8,629,832 in 1888
fiscal year, under previous admins
tration, to SOL, O07,458 in 1910
fiscal year, first full fiscal year I'M
der present administration, a re-
duction of some $7,6O0,OOO, and
down to 500, 76O,849 for 1941 fiscal
year, making a reduction of nearly
$8,OOO,0 900 compared with 1888.
State debt has been cut down
$23, 100000 since January, 1889.
Number of persons employed by
state departments has been reduced
from 1878 on July LIST, 1888, to
1882 on July 1st, 1912.
School trust funds have been in
creased $23, OO0,00
The deficit of $8,5OO,OOO that ex-
listed in the general revenue fund
on December 81, 1888, has been
eliminated and a surplus of So, 000,-
600 accumulated. In addition, the
state has a balance in the income
tax school fund of 100000 and
cash reserve of 100000 in the
highway fund, making cash re-
serves of $12, 100000 in all.
Outlining his program for the
legislature, Governor Stassen pro
posed that:
/. Five million dollars of pres
ent SURPRISES be set aside to helI
men in the armed forces get started
when they return after the war.
2. Action be taken to reduce the
state tax on real estate, with the
idea of eliminating it entirely in 9
few years.
8. A reserve fund for postwar
construction be set aside in the
highway department and plans de,
veloped now for a postwar work:
program of extended highways
throughout the state to help NEE
need for work in readjustment
period after the war.
4. That conservation projects
erection of teachers college build
ings and possibly a few airports
be authorized for postwar read
justment period.
5. Non-war spending be reduced
6. Legislation be passed grant
ing special authority to meet criti
cal need for farm help that may
develop next year.
7. Legislation be enacted for &
strong civilian defense program Il
continue and enlarge present pro
gram, which rests on emergency
powers that expire when legisla
ture meets.
8. That the legislature pas:
emergency measures requested by
War Department and War Produc,
ton Board to meet problems grow,
ing out of war.
9. Action be taken to make
needed improvements in state bust.
ness manager system, civil service
for state employees, state labor re.
lations act and welfare acts with.
out destroying fundamental prin.
ciples.
Mrs. Clarence w. WigingtOn, 67e