Smyrna times., 1945-01-18
BACON TAKES
OATH OF OFFICE
Asks State Aides Get Raises
Urges Return of Register
ing Voters Every A Years
BEGINS SECOND TERN

ary increases and pensions for
state employees to recommends
tion that the permanent registra-
tion law be replaced by periodic
registration, was outlined by Wal
ter w. Bacon as he was inaugural
ed Governor of Delaware for a Sec
ond term. Speaking before the
joint session of the General Assem-
bly, and a handful of visitors
crowds were kept away by the
storm and the consciseness of the
inaugural ceremonies = Governor
Bacon frankly warned that while
the financial condition of the state
government is presently strong
with a favorable cash balance in
reserve "it is necessary to conserve
and economic"
Outlook Hopeful
"Our revenues from the emerg-
ency taxes have placed the state
in a favorable position to meet the
strains of the next few years." he
said. "These special receipts will
not continue through the coming
biennium. The outlook is hopeful,
but not too bright. "My budget
message has revealed balance af-
ter estimates of regular appropria-
tions for the fiscal years 1916 and
1947, but supplemental appropria-
tions will have to be paid out of
cash surplus. In this way, and
with predicted income, including
receipts from racing, the means
would have been on hand to carry
through for the next two years GER
tainly, probably three and possibly
four years. without any new taxes.
The ban, however, recently placed
on the operation of race tracks will
adversely affect our financial pic
ture substantially during the ban,"
the Governor warned, "and unless,
for reasons not now apparent our
income from existing sources in
1creases sufficiently to cover up this
loss in receipts, it is quite possible
that it will be necessary for the
next General Assembly to find new
and additional revenue to meet the
ordinary operating expenses of our
state government. Among the
three constitutional amendments
advocated by the Governor was one
to provide for the absentee regis
tration of citizens who are eligible
but who may be in the armed fore
es. At present citizens can reg
lister only in person and this situa-
tion created considerable misunder-
standing among service men and
women who were stationed outside
the state. Another constitutional
amendment advocated by the Gov
ernor deals with the provisions of
calling a special session of the Gen
eral Assembly and the third would
give only the General Assembly the
power to issue state bonds - not
any one state department. The as
sembymen from upper Delaware,
because of the snow storm, travell-
ed to Dover by train, while the leg
islators from Kent and Sussex went
by automobile since highway con-
ditions there were not too hazard
GUS. Among the other recommend
ations presented to the General AS
sembly by the Governor were: Per-
manent increase in salaries of state
employees, a majority of whom are
school teachers, effective July /. A
pension bill for all state employees.
Registration Law
The repeal of the permanent reg
istration law and the enactment of
a law providing for a general reg
istration in 1948 and every fourth
year thereafter and a supplement-
ary registration in 1850 and every
fourth year thereafter "a saving
of more than $1,000 each election
can be effected if the primary elec-
tion books are eliminated and the
books of registered voters are used
in lieu thereof, the Governor point
ed out.) Favorable action upon
legislation increasing the maximum
amount payablel in "old age PEN
sion assistance" cases from $25 to
$50 a month as recommended by
the Old Age Welfare Commission.
The passage of a Second Injury
Fund Law to supplement the
Workmen's Compensation Act.
Postwar Finances
Legislation to authorize a bond
issue for $4,000, 900 in order that
I'VE may be in position to take
full advantage of the postwar Fed
eral Air program for highway con-
struction. The program through
the fiscal year 1947 calls for a to-
tai expenditure of state and federal
funds of about $15,000,000, all of
which is greatly needed to restore
our highway system" Legislation
for the construction of bridge or
tunnel scross the Delaware River.
An addition to the State Building
in Dover occupied by the Board of
Agriculture in order that the func-
tions of this agency may be more
Continued on Page Three)