The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1943-03-19
The Veto of H. B. l97

Governor Fords statement accompanying his veto Of
House Bill No 1877 will comparatively few of the
pie directly interested in the conduct of the state Department
Agriculture Labor and Industry that he justified in
taking that action This applies particularly to the grain
growers and the grain trade of Montana
He states that the method sought
again established by House Bill No 1877 resulted in waste
extravaganza and do not believe the people of Montana
desire return to those good old days. The phrase peo
pie of Montana used here is too alincusive
Every grain growing farmer in the 18th session favored
after the bill had passed both houses with
few votes against in either Them than 20 members
of the senate went to Governor Ford
delegation asked him approve the These
represented the grain growing and marketing
the farm organizations in the state appeared
before the house committee in of its hearings and urged
its passage
Now let us note who opposed the bill had passed
the hands of the senate committee on
agriculture State Commissioner Kruse himself wheat farm
appeared before this committee he had before the house
committee and urged its approval Following him before the
committee OPPOSING the measure two members
of the house whose records indicate that they
ally opposed anything for the general good and who IN
the opinion of this writer and Others examples of
for the privileged interests These men, OConnor and
Horrigan small theatre operator and the other
small town merchant and both of them probably having little
knowledge of the grain growers problems and interests
and perhaps caring less the only ones appearing against
the bill.
these wo the only who seemed to be at
all active in opposing the measure was the ubiquitous Fred
of the Montana Taxpayers Association
the protection of the special interests of the state
and the state accountant This latter gentleman evidently
the the financial dictator
bill and pcturng himself in the throne of dictator at cushy
salary probably did not want even much OF the power
funds implied in the control by the commissioner of ag
culture small revolving fund, be
thorized and taken away from the dictator"
These four then with their tickle of followers
scented the Montana people opposed to the measure and these
certainly have standing with the OF the
state, with the grain trade.
Ford stated in his veto that the
bly, provided adequate funds for the department. We
challenge that statement Neither Governor Ford nor the
legislative assembly know whether not adequate funds have
been provided Neither one can claim TO nave the power TO
forete whether this will be extraordinarily large crop
crop failure By the token, neither tell
too much has been appropriated That why re-
vovng fund which built from fees in good years meet
the demands service in the lean years.
Unquesonably there have been times in the past when
the grain division has not been conducted with regard
for economical administration However only once while the
division operated revolving has it been
PEELED deficiency appropriation and the amount
practically offset by capital assets purchased
The rest of paid through and
bad years surplus which amounted $24
which reverted to the general fund of the state under
the provision of HB No. 10 passed by assembly, Il
collected for grain inspection and grading
by the department. substantial amount and
above the cost of the services has accumulated in the last BIZ
ennum profit" with the rest of the fees o.
fund from which the general
of the state government are met This profit represents an
the which apparently all to the
good with Bennion OConnor Hoigan ct al but does not
well with the farmers, particularly when the services they
paid for threatened by hit and miss appropriations
We that the farming industry in Montana con-
with the the praise of Albert Krus the
commissioner of agriculture but takes issue with the
when he nfs that by the simple method of turning
all fees shall avoid wasteful and extravagant methods
employed all to frequently in past years.
should be unfortunate enough at time in the
uture have wastefu and exravagan commissioner of
extravaganza curaed any marked degree by limiting
the appropriation made to his department? We think of
We have observed the zeal with which depart lila
have known have spent the last cent of
appropriation made in order to be able to approach the tic
ssembly for like amount or This man, how
YER if he responsible revolving fund.- the depletion PHI
reflect adversely his managerial SKILL Br
with and make real effort to
eep it solvent. Mo
OConnor Horrigan appeared before the
verbal that
would be appropriated to the department
keep intact the provisions of HB No. TO- These
probably had the blessing of Fred Bennion
other members of the house of the k the
no who gave the promises ing
The simple fact that there will be legislative of
ssembly which will be able to make appropriation with
certainty that will not be too small too large too tina
MALL and the commissioner the demanded AND
AID FOR BY THE FARMERS then he will be compelled to teri
ta the vitality important services too large
ration made to insure adequate services then what will thru
under the administration OF the department should
be less conscientious commissioner than have it's
oud such a show surplus hand to to the