The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1963-01-18
Peace, Harmony May Soon--

Inc Legislature. Ouuer IdiS Diii, d
3O-day session ON even number of
years would supplement the regular
6O-day meeting on odd-nunbered
years. The 30-day session would be
limited to dealing with financial and
hudgetary measures, and legislation
dealing with "an acute emergency
submitted to the legislative assembly
by the Governor ;" This is long
overdue legislation.
Pending in the mill, too, are var
ious bills aimed at increasing legisla-
tive pay and mileage allowances,
higher salaries for elected officials,
etc.
HB So and So, by Spahr, would
| (1) increase Legislative pay from $40
to $50 day, (2) increase mileage
from seven to eight cents.
HB SO, by Murray and Lucas would
grant pay increases ranging from
$4,000 to $1,000 for elected state
officials and district judges, effec-,
tive at the beginning of new terms
in January 1865 or later. The Gov
ernor, under HB SO, in addition to
having a fine mansion furnished,
would have salary of $4,000 in
stead of the present $4,000. The
Chief Justice would go from $12,7O0
to $4,000; Associate Justices from
$12,7OO to $18,500; Attorney Gen
eral, from $4,000 to $4,000; State
Superintendent from $500 to $12,-
500; Auditor, Rail Commissioners,
Secretary of State and Treasurer
would each advance from $4,000 to
$4,000; Supreme Court Clerk from
$4,000 to $4,000; District Judges,
from $10,70O to $4,000.
Generally speaking, some salary in
crease is in order for elected Off
cials. yet | wonder if some of the |
increases proposed aren't little rich |
for Montana's blood, particularly |
when we cannot maintain our custo-
dial institutions at other than an
"austerity" level. The proposed $685.
600 for the Governor, for example,
is very much out of line by compari-
SON with what states the size of and
larger than Montana pay their chief
executive. Most of them range from |
$12,500 to $4,000.
Whether legislative, administra-
tive or judicial, more money is in
order, but even more pressing is
the need for more adequate appro-
priations for the custodials, the uni
versity system, and the public
schools. Until the latter needs are
met, we should go slow on the
former 4
PROBES IN THE OFFING
Several Investigations of depart
ments are already underway to de-
termine if remedial legislation of
various kinds is needed.
The two probes which could arouse
the most fireworks concern Highway
and the State Board of Equalization
(see story elsewhere in this issue
ON latter). There can also be fire
works connected with Sen.. Rieder's
look-see into problems of the custo-
dial institutions. AS of the moment
because there had been little previous
publicity what Sen. Durkee's commit
tee to study the Purchasing Depart
ment may reveal is well-kept secret. 4
Sen. Stein has assured the Mon
rana public that he does not intend
10 conduct a "witchhunt" into High
way. Long critic of that "ennpire's"
methods, it is anticipated |
that the Senator from Park and his |
will be as thorough as time
permits in studying various practices y
Of the department, including right
of-way procurement, highway loca- t
ion, engineering efficiency, expendi- {
lures, etc.
1t is rumored that Stein is particu- /
arly interested, among other things.
n the extremely costly Wolf Greek [
canyon interstate construction pro- c
ram, why that route was chosen, :
md what the true costs are to date n
f some sections now under construc- o
ion. q
The special committee head has =
lready received public support from !,
or1ner Road Plans and Program En- n
'ineer Horace Williams, a 32-year o
eteran of the department. who was f,
II