The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1945-09-28
OURS very truly,
IZENS-TAXPAYERS COMMITTEE

Four years ago, the Commissioner and Assistant Com
missioner Messrs Walker and Burton, SECRETLY mani
uated reorganization, in the Land Department greatly
impaiing the efficiency of that department, under the
pretense of Saving" money for the taxpayers
This manipulation, in the Land Office in fact,
sole and only achievement show for the large
of public money SoUANDERED on the "Griffenhagen
and Co." State Government Reorganization "FIASCO".
Ever since then, Messrs Walker and Burton have
tried absorb these SACRED SAVINGS" in raises of
their personal salaries.
Itnow appears that these SACRED SAVINGS" have
finally taken Of in the pockets of Messrs.
Walker Burton, and the inefficiency goes all with
the blessings of Sam c. Ford, who had legislation engi
neered through, enabling him to reward his political APP
pontees and hangerson by salary increases unmoested
by legislative interference and regardless of complete lack
of merit to such salary raises
This writer like people of the state is concerned
with the in which the State Land Departments pol
by seshy interested groups The letter
from the Committee challenges the opinion
the lawyers whom the question of the possibility of
action remedy of the defects
the administration of the pubics interests state lands
submitted To this have only answer sincerely
hope that the lawyers with whom discussed the issue
carried through which them to have been
the salaries of the 'wo Top Office Holders
the land department have been increased with the approval
of the State Board of Examiners.
believe that validity of salary be
judged the basis of whether such increases us
fled recognition of duties well performed For instance this
writer would be opposed of the muchdscussed increase
in the salaries congressional representatives and
unless they pubics
welfare than their attitude indicated the
Referring to the two officers specifically mentioned in the
the land commissioner has earned much of the salary
which he has been paid On the other hand Mr. Burton
hard and believe conscientious worker and has earned the
increase given him. He found opposing the Ubiquitous
introduced at the instance the Sockgrowers
alton during the last session of the legatue the
which would have virtually deprived the people generally of
the state of their presently limited control of the states lands
The legislature in 1913, enacted what commonly
called repeal of the Hitler b and this gave the
state board of control the salaries paid the
various departments virtually repeating former statutory m
taons salaries not fixed by constitutional provision Whet
not the Board of Examiners acted wisely approving
increases for the two named in the letter individual
printed above, hesitate to We might that the
total of the increases given to Walker Burton
given to Burton, criticism would not be justified
The story of the attempt during the 1915
legislature by the livestock the secure
pete control of the state land department began the
of 1913 The beginning lies in Chapter 212 1913 This
provided for the appointment of committee recommend
improvements in the policies administration of
the state lands. S
This committee be appointed by the was to be
composed of the following: ONE MEMBER THE MON
TANA LIVESTOCK GROWERS ASSOCIATION; ONE MEM
Der OF THE WOOLGROWERS ASSOCIATION: ONE MEM
Der OF THE GRASS CONSERVATION COMMITTEE: one
member of the State Board of Education the Commissioner
Agriculture Take note of the fact that the member of thn