The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1943-04-02

III WiilNll IL w dS ouS ScoISu JildI
legislature might become neces-
tsary, has not changed for the
better, the state board of ex-
aminers having found no rem
edy for the situation.
For time, the examiners thought
it possible that an emergency might
be declared by them, but it now APP
pears that this is not possible, mas
much as the emergency existed and
the state legislative assembly was APP
prised of it while in session and
failed to meet it. Any action of the
examiners now would not be to meet
the emergency but might be construed
as usurping the functions of the legis-
lative bodies, or at the best, over-rid-
ing the Judgment" of the assembly
Governor Speaks
Last Saturday evening the gov
ernor of the state discussed the situa-
ton on the radio in order to apprise
the people of the state of the condi-
tons facing the state in connection
with its penal and custodial institu-
TONS In his discussion the governor
stated that because of an increase of
about 40 per cent in the cost of essen
tials in the way of food and clothing
required by the institutions, it had
become obvious that the appropria-
tions made by the 1871 session were
not adequate to meet this unforeseen
increase in costs of operation up to
the end of June 30 this year and a
supplemental appropriation would be
required.
The governor said:
"a very careful study and analysis
of the entire situation was made in
an effort to anticipate what would be
required taking into consideration
only actual needs to June 30. These
estimates were presented to the legis-
lature, but unfortunately they were
brushed aside and the legislature sub
stituted its judgment for that of the
heads of the institutions and the State
Board of Examiners.
For the State Hospital at Warm
Springs we asked for an additional
sum of $4,000. The legislature gave
us $4,000.
I'VE requested additional funds for
The State Training School at Boulder
in the sum of $4,000, and the legis-
ature gave us $4,000.
81 can say to you now that these
TWO institutions cannot be operated
until June 30, on funds available We
cannot starve these unfortunate peo-
pie and we cannot close the institu-
lions. 1t is obvious that we must
operate on credit to a large extent
md present deficiency claims to the
lext legislature. Whether this can be
lone under existing laws is doubtful.
Thus, you will see we are face-to-face
With very desperate situation.
For the State Prison we asked for
100000, and got $4,000.
For the Orphans Home at Twin
Bridges, we asked for $4,000, and got
$500.
For the Deaf and Blind School at
treat Falls, we requested $1,000, and
,ot $2,500."
The O'Connor-Horrigan ct al leader
hip in the lower house demonstrated
lot only complete disregard of the
leeds and sponsibilities of the state
government, but also disclosed their
tier lack of social understanding and
by ignoring the making
+ some provision for humane rehabiI-
tation treatment of unfortunate in
mates Of the custodial institutions.
so far as the State Hospital for
he Insane, the lower house even ig-
ored the recommendations of its own
which had Investigated and
eported on deplorable conditions
here.
Discussing the attitude of the lower
ouse on similar conditions existing
other institutions the governor
aid:
The 1941 legislature made an an
ropriation for the repair and recon-
ltoning of one of the old buildings
Boulder, which had not been used
nee the removal of the deaf and
IND to Great Falls. The work was
'mpleted about the first of this year.
his building will accommodate more
ian one hundred children.
There are confined at the State
ospital some 80 to 40 children who
e not insane but feeble-minded.
hey should not be kept at Warm
brings. They are housed with the
sane, many of whom are hopelessly
sane "a shameful and dissraceful