The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1948-09-24
THRIFT INESS IN STATE GOVERNMENT AS PRACCED BY THE GOVERNOR

!
considered prejudiced to express any
doubt concerning the veracity of this
admission" on the part of the Gov
ernor. There are, however, cynics
who point out that the fact that there
is an accumulation of idle dollars in
some of the various state funds, does
not necessarily prove that Sam has per
formed any miracles of administration
that these dollars represent accumula-
tions for which at the time of their
accretion, it was impossible to find
any legitimate outlet because of labor
and material conditions brought about
by the war. Had these conditions not
prevailed, we don't know just what
condition these state funds would now be in.
To be sure, no one, least of all this writer
would have the temerity to suggest that Sam
Ford has any spend-thrift characteristics. When
he speaks of having administered the states
business well, he no doubt means that the state
has lot of ready cash even if the state institu-
tons short of some badly needed facilities,
and the highways are hard weak backs and
shaky nerves of drivers over many of them.
Our Governor, however, must be given credit
for setting very real example of thrift to the
cuts this page will demonstrate. While do
not intend to assert that the salary of 81 500 per
year and large residence free for his occu-
pancy is excessive, the average taxpayer who is
blessed" with very much smaller income than
Sam, might possibly wonder why his share of
contributed money for the conduct of the states
business should be used for entertainment of
political personages and for the printing of in
vitations and Christmas cards and other mis-
cellany. Certainly these small amounts have
not depleted any of the funds which thrifty
governor watches over, but it may strike the
taxpayer with a very small income as peculiar
hat he hasn't been able to bear some of these
small expenses out of his emoluments.
These cuts are from photostatic copies of
official records claims filed, approved and fl
lally paid by the state. Look them over.
You will note one bill from the Mckee Print
ng Company for $4075 for some sort of Christ
mas cards; 500 of them. OF course it must be
realized that he must remember his political
friends and relatives with holiday greetings, but
Why this bill was not accounted as political
expenses, is a question that bothers me- An
verage fellow like myself is made to wonder
ust how SANITY Sam justified this charge with
lis conscience as a completely legitimate charge
gainst the state funds. The same question is
osed by the bill of the State Publishing Com
any for invitations and envelopes
Then you will note bill from the Home
reamery for ice cream amounting to $3.50
nd one from the Goodie Shop for cakes costing
1850. All this fancy provender was evidently
sed to entertain the members of the Iegisla-
Ire. Again the little taxpayer will have cause
wonder just why he should have to contrib
tie to the entertainment of all of the members
the legislature Certainly the record of the
st assembly didn't do much to relieve his
oubles. Moreover he will no doubt feel that
the Governor felt it his political duty to throw
party for them, he might gracefully have paid
e. bills himself
However it will be noticed by bill from the
orence hotel and one from the Montana Club
fe that the Governor and Mrs Ford distribute
cir patronage in the form of entertainment
gain the little taxpayer will be bothered be-
use he doesn't see just why he should pay
part of the cost of Mrs. Ford's entertainment
wives of visiting dignitaries" who remain
onymous Nor will he understand why the
,vernor, if he feels that he must supply the
rector of National Parks and his party with
meal, why he should saddle the taxpayers with
o expense of feeding them at the Montana
ub.
Then there is the item of 500 for boxes of (
athead cherries sent to the governors of all
the states. He failed to include a box for .
nself in this bill but maybe the cherry grow
contributed one for him. Presumably the
vernon would try to justify this charge as
netting advertising Montanas resources. l.
nkly, do not know if these cherries were
1t a gift from the State of Montana or
m Thrifty Sam personally. 1t would be in
esting to know @
further evidence of Governor Sans thrift
IS has been brought to my attention by one