The Caldwell tribune. [volume], January 09, 1920, Image 3

About The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928

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ADMINISTRATION OPPON
ENTS ON WRON GTRACK
(Continued from Page Two.)
In 1917, the legislature, anxious to
get rid of these lands and their wa
ter charges, and being unable to make
a gift outright to the district of the
Und in payment of the back water
charges, made an appropriation of
$96,670 out of the general fund as a
gift to the Gem Irrigation district, to
be repaid to the state as the purchase
price of these lands, and to be appor
tioned to the endowment funds to
which they belonged. Our supreme
court declared the act unconstitution
al and payment of the $96,670 was
stopped.
The last legislature apporpriated
the sum of $119,456 to be used for
the purpose of paying the back water
charges, and provided further that
when these lands were sold the $119,
456 be repaid in to the general fund.
Our present land board ordered the
Iand commissioner to offer these lands
for sale. In compliance with this or
der these lands were appraised and
I J A . • « .1 a
sold. A portion of these lands were
" 1'WI uvu ut IUCSC 14I1US were
sold, bringing $391,743. The $119,456
will be returned to the general fund
of the state. Instead of the state tak
ing $96,670 out of the general fund
and giving it to the charitable funds
and making a gift of over 9900 acres
of land to the Gem district, the state
receives back the moneys advanced
from the general fund and the charit
able institutions of the state have
$282,287 added to their endowment
funds instead of $96,670. In other
words, this administration in this
transaction saved over $391,700 to the
people of Idaho.
I again wish to call your attention
to the fact that the $96,670, which was
collected from the taxpayers by the
last administration, was used for oth
er purposes.
Snake River Improyeirients:
The legislature made an appropria
tion of $30,000 to assist the people of
Jefferson and Madison counties in con
trolling the flood waters of the* Snake
river, which had been washing out
bridgei and threatened to destroy
thousands of acres of agricultural
lands. At times jhis condition had
been aggravated by the Jackson lake
reservoir having to release waters at
flood tide. The'legislature consider
ed it the duty of the state to co-oper
ate with these people. This approi
ation passed the senate anà the house
without a single vote being recorded
against it.
Kootenai River Bridge:
An appropriation of $10,000 was
made for the erection of a bridge at
Lenia, Boundary county, across the
Kootenia river, to be available only
when Montana and the United States
forest service each appropriated a like
sum. Not a single vote in either the
senate or the house was recorded
against this appropriation.
The sum of $75,000 was appropriated
"to aid in the construction of this high
way, provided that an equal amount
be supplied by the federal govern
ment.
Spokane River Improvement:
An appropriation of $25,000 for the
purpose of aiding the settlers on 30,
000 acres of land subject to overflow
in Kootenai and Benewah counties.
The money is to be expended in wid
ening and cleaning the channel of the
Spokane river at the outlet of the
Coeur d'Alene lake. This appropri
ation passed with -only three votes re
corded against it in the house. In the
senate the vote was unanimous.
Arrowrock Road:
An appropriation of $3,000 was made
to aid in the construction of a roa'l
alongside the Arrowrock reservoir and
for the construction of a bridge across
Boise River above the dam; the bal
ance necessary to be raised by sub
scription. This appropriation had no
apposition-in either the senate or th ■
house.
Shoshone Falls Park:
This park, comprising 197 acres ov
erlying the great Shoshone Falls, in
1909 became the property of the state.
The people of Twin Falls county, de
sirous of erecting at large expense
within the park a suitable monumeni
or other memorial to the soldiers, sail
ors, and marines who entered the ser
vice of their country :n the war with
Germany, asked that the state aid to
the extent of $10,000, to be used in im
proving the park in the way of plant
ing trees, constructing walks, stairs
bridges and seats. The memorial as
sociation at Twin Falls agreed to ex
pend a like amount in the park, and
also to construct a hard surfaced road
from Twin Falls along the canyon ot
Snake river, through the park to the
Falls. They estimated their share to
cost $50,000. The carrying out of this
plan will be of great benefit to the
state in making more accessible and
attractive one of the greatest scenic
atures of the world.
Lava Hot Springs:
For the purpose of erecting suitable
buildings and bathing facilities, $52,
000 was appropriated, to be repaid to
the issuance of bonds of a like amount
the interest and redemption of these
bond« to be provided for out of the
w.v
sessa ^le property of the state. It is
estimat ed that this levy will raise $960,
^ eac ^ year * or an( l 1920, or a
tota ' I'>920,00. This is a direct
le y y and incr e»ses our state tax to
extent -
^ as t ' le legislature justified in mak
' n 8 'his levy?
wou 'd receive $3,360,000, provided it
m f f tkic nilfk n 111.— _ A. tlfl
WW..».
did we not issue bonds for our share?
< " )ur bonding liinit permitted the is
suance of only $200,000. To this ex
tent the le 8'sla'ure authorized road
bonds - T o have exceeded the limit
would re <JU're that the question be
submitted to the people at the next
general election. This would have de
' ayed our f oad building program and
us t ' >e federal appropriation of
$•*,360,000,
Did \ he
act ' on °f the legislature in ask
' n ® 'hem for the sum of $960,000 a
" rt -- *
'^e ac 'i° n of the people of the dif
ne t proceeds arising from the opera
the bath houses and bathing
facilities. It is claimed that the med
icinal and curative properties of the
waters of these springs are superior to
many of the great health resorts of
the world. The added improvements
will attract thousands who are seeking
relief. This appropriation was looked
upon as a loan, for the money will be
repaid from the earnings of the springs
and only two votes were recorded
against this appropriation in the house
and none in the senate.
The Road Levy for tSate Highway:
To aid in the construction of state
highways, th^Jegislature made a levy
of two mills on each dollar of the as
Under an act of congress Idaho
met this with a like amount. Why
Did the people of the state approve
year? That Question is best answered
ferent counties and road districts to
co-operate with the state and federal
government. Since the adjournment
of the legislature they have voted be
tween $15,000,000 and $16,000,000. To
have met the bonds voted by the peo
ple in the ratio one dollar to two
would have required that the state
make over a five mill levy instead of
two mills. On the final passage of
this bill there was only one vote In
each chamber against it.
Tuberculosis Hospitals:
To assist in controlling and stopp
ing the spread of the "White Plague"
Idaho was asked to do her share in
co-operating with the federal govern
ment and the other states of the un
ion.
Numerous petitions and representa
tives from different parts of the state
appeared in behalf of this measure.
The legislature provided for the
creation of a commission with an ap
proiation of $5000, to select sites and
supervise the erection of the two hos
pitals, one in he south and the other
in the north; and further provided that
for the year 1919 a levy of one-fourth
of a mill be made on all the assessable
property in the state, and for 1920
one-eighth of a mill. The levy for
1919 will raise $117,030, and it is esti
mated for 1920 at $60,00.
This measure passed the senate un
animously and with only two votes
against it in the houpe.
Soldiers' Memorial:
To meet the demands of our people
that something be done to show our
appreciation of the supreme sacrifice
made by many of our boys, .the regis -
lature made an appropriation of $50.
000 for the purpose (in co-operation
with the countes) of erecting at each
county seat a memorial to the mem
ory of deceased soldiers, sailors and
marines who had lost their lives in
the late war with Germany.
Soldiers' Settlement Act:
The purpose of this measure was to
permit this state to co-operate with
the federal government in providing
employment and rural homes for sol
diers, sailors and marines and others
who have served with the armed forc
es of the United States.
The legislature appropriated $100,
00 conditioned on the passage by con
gress of what is known as the "Sol
diers' Settlement Act." At this date
this measure has not passed .
In most coses, states having lanas
subject to reclamation made like ap
propriations. Compared to some oth
ers, Idaho's appropriation is small.
This measure met with the unanimous
approval of both branches of the leg
islature.
Bureau of Mines and Geology
The purpose of this bureau was to
co-operate with the United States bur
eau of mines in the investigation of
mining anà metallurgical problems of
the state as well as to conduct co-op
erative work with the United States
Geological survey in mapping out and
determining the water resources of the
state. An appropriation of $30,000
was made, conditioned on the federal
government appropriating a like am
ount.
This bill met with the unanimous
approval of both houses.
I shall not take up any more of
your time discussing appropriation
measures. I have discussed the larg
er and most important. There is one
thing, particularly I wish you to keep
in mind, and that is, that when our
political opponents charge us with ex
travagance, high taxes, and a disre
gard tor the welfare of the taxpayer,
both demorats and nonpartisans alike
supported almost unanimously all ap
propriation bills passed. As a mem
ber of the senate I have no recollec
tion of any democrat or nonpartisan
raising his voice in opposition to ap
propriations passed. 1 believe they
felt, as did the large majority, that
these appropriations were necessary
to the proper conduct and develop
ment of our state.
Review of Appropriations.
N'ow, let us endeavor to determine
how much greater is the actual cost
of state government over past years.
We have already shown that $1,
300,000 of appropriations made can
not properly be considered as an or
dinary expense. Part of it was for
replacement and repairs that should
have been taken care of in the past,
and some for the future .and shouta
be considered as an investment.
$2,000,000 for roads is not an or
dinary expense that will have to be
met by each administration.
To take care of the growtn and
needs of our educational institutions
in improvements necessary cost us
over $479,00.
Increased Coat.
We are sorry to say we must ad
mit there has been an increase in the
cost of state government of not to
exceed 25 per cent over the past ad
ministration. Let us seek to find the
cause. It is not in the salary of your
elective officers. They are receiving
the same old salaries. We do find an
increase in the pay of help employed,
but when you .consider the increased
cost of living the increase is not in
proportion. At the present time the
average employee is not receiving the
same wage as the ordinary laborer,
and you must admit that stationery,
books, etc., have greatly increased in
cost. Travel expense of those whose
duties require them to visit the dif
ferent parts of he state has increased
50,per cent. We find the same in
crease true in all our charitable and
penal institutions. Where the indi
vidual buys one pair of shoes, we
have to buy a thousand The same
rule holds true as to food and cloth
ing.
Where is the business man, farmer
or head of a household who will claim
that the cost of operation of his bus
iness or farm, as well as the expense
of his household, has not increased
more than 25 per cent in the past two
years.
When you and 1 are compelled to
pay double, can we expect the state
to get its help and supplies at the
old figure? As a matter of fact, te
state, through its purchasing depart
ment buying in large quantities, is en
abled to buy for less money than we
can. •
We find that in some departments
there has been considerable increase
in their appropriations, but we find
also that there has been increased du
ties imposed upon them. As an illus
tration, I give the public utilities com
mission. Their appropriation was
more than-doubled over that of 1917
1918, for the purpose of enabling them
to make a physical examination of
some of our public utilities to.deter
mine the value, so that they might in
telligently fix rates that the utility
might charge the public. To further
emphasize the thought the legislators
had in mind, that of service and ef
ficiency, and* that politics did not en
ter into their calculations, I call your
attention to the fact that the major
ity of the commission is democratic.
Other Stats«.
Perhaps it might be well now if wt
pass on and compare our increase
with other states, to see if they had
the same conditions to meet and if
they had to meet them by increased
taxes.
Washington.
Appropriation, 1917-1918, $25,402,
006; 1919-1920, $36,432,261. Increase,
$11,030,254. Per cent of increase, 47
per cent. State levy, Washington,
10.44 mills. Idaho, including road and
all special levies, 7.8 mills. Ordin
arilly, a comparison of levies does not
mean anything unless the valuation is
taken into consideration. It so hap
pens that the per cent of value for as
sessment purposes is about the same.
Washington increased her state valu
ation $24,681,000. Estimated increase
in Idahp, $10,000,000.
Oregon.
Appropriation, 1917-18, $6,563,277,
1919-20, $8,372,968. Increase $1,909,
690. Per cent of increase 27 1-2.
Oregon voted $10,000,000 for road
purposes.
Utah.
Appropriation, 1917-18, $3,295,864;
GAL 7—TAX—
1919-20, $4,179,398. Increase $883,533.
Per cent of increase over 26 3-4.
Utah issued $5,000,000 bonds; $4,
000,000 for road purposes and $1,000,
00 for soldiers settlement act. Ida
ho provided for both by a direct tax
levy.
Arizona.
Appropriations, 1917-18, $7,414,441,
1919-20, $12,716,170. Increase $5,301,
729. Per cent of increase over 71 1-2.
Arizona issued no bonds.
Wyoming.
Appropriations, 1*317-18, $1,500,000.
1919-20, $1,900.000. Increase $400.0tXV
Per cent of increase, 26 2-3.
Wyoming issued $2.800,000 bonds.
California.
Appropriations, 1917-18, $47,447,622.
1919-20. $52,849,332. Increase $5,401,
710. California legislature voted $40,
000.000 road bonds. California docs
not levy a direct tax for state purposes
but derives her revenue from public
utilities, inheritance taxes and fees.
North Dakota.
The Nonpartisan press of Idaho is
quite active in telling our people the
amount of the tax levy for state pur
poses in North Dakota, as compared
with that in Idaho: Dakota 2.98; Ida
ho 7.8 mills. As I have stated before,
this means nothing. It is only one
factor. Now, let us look at the other
—the valuation. In 1919, this year,
the assessed valuation was raised
from $403,422,258. 1918 assessment to
$1,514,000,000, an increase of over 375
per cent. 'The state levy was reduced
from 4.3 mills to 2.98 mills. Had
Idaho increased her assessed value in
the same proportion it would have ta
ken a tax levy of only 1.98 mills.
In 1917-1918 the total of North Da
kota's appropriation was $4,123,654.99.
In 1919-20, $8,009,242.10, an increase o'.
$3,885,587.11 or over 94 per cent.
North Dakota's legislature voted
bonds to the extent of $17,000,000.
These figures are official and can
not be successfully contradicted. I
am perfectly willing that our Nonpar
tican friends draw a comparison be
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tween Idaho and Dakota, provided
they do as 1 have done—give all the
factors.
This concludes my analysis of the
appropriations made by the last legis
lature No previous legislature had
such problems to meet. A depleted
treasury, outstanding warrants, defic
iencies greater than ever before, ev
ery public institution in the state cry
ing for relief, and a universal demand
from the people for good roads, all re
quiring money and only one way to
get it—by direct taxation.
If there is any censure or criticism
due, it should not fall upon men who
had nothing to do with the making of
appropriations. The enemy always
center their attacks upon the five state
elective officers. With the exception
of the governor, they were helpless.
For the maintenance of their own de
partments, they had to accept that
which the legislature saw fit to give
them.
As a member of the senate, 1 wish
to make this statement. No man
fought harder than I to keep down en
penditures and some of the appropri
ations made did not receive my sup
port: not that 1 did not think they
h;.d merit, but 1 knew that the aver
age taxpayer, not being as familiar
with the conditions of our state as we
were, would charge us with extrava
gance.
Take them as a whole, 1 do not be
lieve that Idaho ever had a more ear
nest and conscientious body of men
gather together than those who com
prised Idaho's fifteenth session of the
legislature. We differed politically.
and on some state questions, but it
was an honest difference of opinion.
All of them were seeking that which
they believed to be for the best In
terests and the upbuilding of Idaho.
Efficiency.
In the final analysis, it is not so
much what a thing costs as to finding
out if we have received value for our
money, and that question will bring
up the operation of senate bill 19.
I here are those present who will go
into that in detail. ,As tine who was
partially responsible for the passage
of this measure, 1 have tried to ob
serve its operation. If we can judge
from its first si\ months, when it is
undergoing its organization, I would
give it the stamp of approval, and if
1 Htid my way there would be more
consolidation of departments."
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