The Canton Press-News from Canton, Missouri • 3

January 26, STATE HAS PROBLEMS JESSE W. BARRETT DISCUSSES SOME THAT DEMAND CONSIDERATION. Demanding Consideration" is the subject of an article in the January 1 issue of The Missouri Farmer. It was written by Jesse W. Barrett, state commander of the American Legion, formerly attorney general of Missouri.

The article is published The editor of The Missouri Farmer urges me to contribute my customary Christmas article, but I am afraid that it will arrive a little late, and furthermore I am under the impression that at this time a Republican should neither be seen nor heard. May I comment on the recent election, however, by saying that it was neither an accident nor a surprise? All Republicans of normal vision foresaw the result months ago; while those who were far-sighted told it four years ago. In fact, I remember distinctly that at Kansas City in 1928, after Hoover's nomination, William Hirth told me exactly what the next four years would bring. We had been working together earnestly but unsuccessfully for the nomination of Governor Frank 0. Lowden, believing that the agricultural problem was the fundamental and paramount issue, and we wanted a president who could approach that problem with understanding and sympathy.

I believe in the sincerity and good intent of the newly elected administration, but I submit that it too must meet the farm problem and bring about better conditions, for there cannot possibly be any restoration of normal business activity in this country until the farmer is given purchasing power and a reasonable profit for his work. If the newly chosen state officials will not regard me as presumptuous, there are some suggestions I would like to offer. Their principal task at this moment must be the reduction and the redistribution of the tax burden. The preliminary statements of Governor Park are very pleasing and it is the duty of every good citizen, regardless of party, to coperate with him fully in achieving his economy program. The best way to reduce state expenses is to reduce some of the activities of the state government.

I cannot escape the feeling that many of our inspection services, for instance, have been created in order to create jobs rather than from any particular need for them. For example, we used to have the Beer Inspectian Bureau. I do not know that beer needed inspecting, but it gave the State administration political contacts of large influence and power. Certainly when beer became illegal, beer inspection could have ceased, but that would have meant the abolition of a large number of political jobs. Accordingly, the Democratic administration made trades with certain Republican legislators and the law was amended by changing of a single word.

"Beer" was changed to "beverage" and the "inspection" continued. When I came into office, I found that large expense accounts were being paid by the State for traveling expenses for these socalled inspectors, some of whom were physically unable to travel at all, and some of whom were shown to be holding full-time jobs in private employment while supposedly performing the utterly useless task of sampling soft drinks and reporting back that the soft drinks were what they were supposed to be. If any useful purpose was performed by any of this beverage inspection, I for one am not aware of it. Governor Has Greater Power I believe most of the other inspections are over-done and that those forces could be greatly reduced. Someone says that would not affect the tax rate, since bureaus of this type are usually "self-supporting." I submit that there is no part of State government which is self-supporting.

It is true that these bureaus collect fees to cover their expenses, but who pays the fees? It is just that much more of a charge upon the public and just that much more of a burden. The new Governor will have greater powers with respect to making a budget and that is fortunate. Usually budget making is started at the wrong point. Departments are asked inn nan mm. 1933 for estimates of how much they will need and each department head is clever enough to pad the figures so that the amount would be satisfactory even after a cut.

Married men of experience tell me that this system doesn't work even in domestic life. On the contrary, they tell the good wife how much she can have to spend and let her find the way to keep within the limit. Perhaps the people likewise will have to say to their governments, "This much you can spend and no more" and their chosen officers will then find the way to make the amount cover the actual need. One thing which complicates Missouri's efforts for eronomy is the unnecessarily large number of counties we have. Few states have so many.

The existence of these county lines, however, has built up a certain kind of sentiment and rivalry which perhaps makes it impracticable to consider any radical change at this time. We could take a forward step, however, by enlarging the powers of the county in cooperating with the counties adjoining. There are many parts of the State where one officer or one institution could serve the needs of several counties and we could get better service at less cost. The State's Income can be increased even on present tax rates by more thorough enforcement of some of our special tax laws. For quite a while our State income tax was almost ignored because the enforcement machinery was inadequate.

was almost as ineffective as passing the hat where each person chipped what he chose to give. Recently amendments have made the act much more effective, but it still needs to be safeguarded by giving to the State officers the rights and powers which have made the Federal law effective. There is also much that can be done to make the tax on intangible personal property more effective. Highways Exact Heavy Toll Our State revenue, including everything, is approximately $75,000,000 a year, and over half of that goes to the building of State highways. Most of this program is ordained and gettled by Constitutional provisions and all the incoming administration can do is to carry out those provisions faithfully and economically.

A question, however, keeps troubling me with respect to this highway program and I pass it on to you. What is the life of a cement road? Some of them are being rebuilt after ten years' usage, but those later constructed are expected to last much longer. Our highway bonds, however, will not be fully retired until 1970 and we will be paying for many of these roads long after they are gone. The disturbing feature of this is that costs even more money to rebuild an average cement. road than it did to lay the same originally.

If our highways put the railroads out of business, and then the highways are destroyed before we have paid for them, what will the next generation think of our business foresight and judgment? It is obvious that our highway financing should take all these factors into account. I do not know that we have done so. On the contrary, in 1928 we passed a Constitutional provision providing against any increase in the gasoline or automobile license fees for a period of ten years and we will be asked to do that again as soon as this ten-year period expires. It is a subject which is worth some study and research and I commend it to the consideration tion of those who are charged with the responsibility therefor. The new administration will suffer no danger of partisan obstruction the next four years, for its control is complete.

It does need, however, whole-hearted public support for every unselfish and forward-looking measure and it is the duty of every Missourian, regardless of party, to give that cooperation sincerely and enthusiastically. Let us all join in wishing the new Governor and his associates the fullest success in wige and just administration, and: if Judge Park can accomplish the high aims he has expressed, I for one would like to see repealed the Constitutional provision which limits the Governor to a single term. Nearly 400 scenes prominent in Missouri history, photographed in sound and color moving pictures, will be shown to visitors at the state exhibit at the Chicago World's Fair in 1933. August 14 has been definitely set as Missouri day. THE CANTON (MISSOURI) PRESS-NEWS THE SPIRIT OF 1933' from page He called attention directly to the Canton lock project as an example at hand of the harnessing of rivers to do homage to mankind.

Prof. Harmon then quoted facts to show the other side of the picture as we are most impressed by it today, and his reason for the cause' of that feeling. The processes of the present are only a time in which like Washington at Valley Forge, we have time for meditation to renew our faith in God and mankind and upon the foundation of unlimited natural resources in coal, iron, other metals, and fertile fields the same spirit that prompted the patriots of '76 will be the spirit of 1933 which shall build an even greater empire. From experience we will gain the knowledge to fortify it against the weaknesses of the past and make it endure. Prof.

Harmon is an orator of no mean ability and his fluent use of words upon this occasion more than met our hopes of the treat he would give the chamber of commerce members in saying something worth while to think about and put into practice as individuals. Let's get that spirit and push on to greater and better things. G. L. Clark, superintendent of highway division No.

3, with headquarters at Hannibal, was a guest and outlined some plans for road construction, as follows: That the department expected to pave No. 61 to Alexandria in 1933 if the right-ofway could be secured; that the chamber of commerce probably could assist the department in securing some of these allotments. He expressed appreciation of J. C. Cason's assistance to the department in its work here.

Mr. Clark also stated that Missouri and Iowa were jointly to build a new bridge across the Des Moines river at Keokuk, but as yet the department has been unable to get the right-ofway in Missouri and the work would be held up until such time as it was secured. He said owing to a decrease in license and gasoline tax money the supplementary road program would have to be cut some fifty per cent, but that the road from Monticello through Williamstown to the Clark county line was on the program to be graded and graveled this year. It was also hoped that the St. Patrick road could be graded and graveled as it was the desire of the department to be able to use this road as a detour while construction work was in progress on the paving of Highway 61.

Another project contemplated for Lewis county was the supplemetary road out of LaGrange. G. W. Maxon, president of the Maxon Construction building the cofferdam for lock No. 20 at Canton, expressed his thanks for the cooperation of the chamber of commerce to the company.

He said that in the course of the construction some 000 to $400,000 would be expended on labor and material which would go directly to the people of the territory adjacent to the lock. This amount of money will mean a big thing in a banker's estimate of dollar turn over debt-paying money circulation. Mr. Maxon said the actual construework was moving tons of material, putting it together to comply with prints and spicifications drawn by engineers and was all in the line of work and more work which constituted the daily routine. To him it was not particularly spectacular but was only the work of creating in substance a thing given the construction company in prints.

Mr. Laytham, engineer for obtaining right-of-way for roads, urged the necessity of obtaining the right-ofway for Highway 61 at once or it would not be possible to let the contract for its construction at the February letting. All but four of the property owners between here and the Clark county line had agreed to terms of deeding the right-of-way asked by the department. In his work, which comes in direct touch with the individual, he has had so much experience over a period of years that we are not surprised both his hair and face are red. Despite that he is a fine fellow for the job and gets sults- whenever the public shows any inclination to be fair and reasonable.

I Page Three In other cases where condemnation proceedings have been necessary it has been proved that it was less expensive and far more remunerative to the property owners to agree with "Red." Frank Clements and Mr. Peel stated that they would dispense with using words but any time a visitor appeared at the dam they could find one some where in the mud on the job and the other would like to have an excuse to answer questions while breaking the monotony of the office work. DERRAHS Derrahs was delayed last week and did not reach this office until Friday. Mr. and Mrs.

Earl Fishback entertained the following after Sunday school Sunday: Joe Parker, wife and daughter, Ella Mae, and Mrs. Dell Parker, of Benjamin; Tom Risk and family, Marion Fishback and family, Melven Gruber, wife and daughters, Isabel and Donna, and Mrs. Nancy Gaines. Miss Marie Cutforth, of Paloma, spent several days last week at the R. F.

Powell home. Little Miss Kathleen King fell against a hot stove one day last week and burnt her hand and arm quite severely. Jep McDaniel and family called at the Marion Fishback home Saturday evening. Russell Riney and family spent one day last week with Dave Riney and family. Marion Fishback and wife, Earl Fishback and wife and Miss Kathryn Ruth Risk were in Quincy Monday.

Elmer and Ed Spurgeon and Thomas Brennan left Sunday for Kansas. They are trying to buy cattle. Miss Ruby Dell Gruber spent Sunday with Miss Leta McDaniel. Mrs. Russell Riney and children visited her parents, W.

J. Logsdon and wife, Wedensday. Saturday was Mrs. Will Logsdon's birthday and her children and their families came with well-filled baskets Sunday and gave her a very pleasant surprise. Marion and Earl Fishback and wives and Miss Kathryn Ruth Risk were in Quincy Monday.

Mrs. Mabel Wheeler helped Mrs. Betty Rainbolt and Mrs. Helen Greer cook for bean threshers Friday and Monday. Miss Dorothy McDaniel spent the week-end with her teacher, Miss Vera Wallace.

Marion Fishback, Will Wheeler and Reuben Logsdon and families spent one evening last week with Uncle Jim Wheeler and son, Tommy, Clay Marks and family, of Canton, spent Sunday at John Shannon's. Miss Ruby Powell spent Sunday afternoon with Miss Clara Ellen Bader. 710,235 VEHICLE LICENSES ISSUED IN MISSOURI IN 1932 More than 43 times as many motor vehicles were registered in Missouri in 1932 than in 1911, figures compiled by the Missouri State Highway department show. There were 710,235 vehicle licenses issued in Missouri to December, 1932, against only 16,387 in 1911. There was a steady increase in the number of licenses issued from 1911 until the end of 1930 when 763,375 licenses were issued.

Since 1930, however, there has been a decline. The average receipt per vehicle in 1911 was only $3.39. Today the average is $13.66, the highest on record. Gasoline taxes per vehicle have increased from $6.99 in 1925 to $12.67 in 1931, the highway department estimates. The gasoline tax is the third most important source of the department's revenue, furnishing 23.1 per cent of the road money.

License fees furnish 25.4 per cent. Bond proceeds are the most important source, furnishing 37.8 cents of each road dollar spent in 1931-32. MRS. K. V.

ELLIS, 94, DIES Mrs. Kittie V. Ellis, aunt of Mrs. J. A.

Roberts and Atty. Leslie Edwards, of this city, died in the Old People's Home in Quincy Tuesday night. Had she lived she would have been 95 years old March 26. She was a sister of the late R. B.

Edwards, of this city. The body was taken to Clarksville, former home of the decedent, Thursday, for the funeral. Grange Indicator. BRIDGE COSTS $92,000 MULTIPLE SPAN WILL BE ERECTED OVER DES MOINES ON HIGHWAY NO. 61.

The bridge which will be built over the Des Moines river southwest of Keokuk will cost a little over $92,000, according to announcement last week. The contract calls for a multiple span steel bridge to be erected at a cost of $92,126.95. Snyder and Johnson, of Humboldt, were the successful bidders. This will be the new bridge on Highway No. 61, and will take the place of the combination bridge now being used by traffic over the Des Moines near Keokuk.

The foregoing information is from the Keokuk Gate City. ALFORD NAMED JUDGE E. L. Alford, a Perry, Ralls county, has been named circuit judge for the district comprising Marion, Ralls and Monroe counties, to replace Judge Charles T. Hayes, who was elected supreme judge.

After all, you can't blame a woman for feeling equal to a man when you see her man. REP. W. E. QUINN GETS GOOD COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS Hon.

Wm. E. Quinn was in LaGrange and in Canton on business Saturday, having brought his family home for a week-end stay before the legislature began active work this week. He is much impressed with the ability and character of Speaker Meredith. He says the legislature will be flooded with bills this season and will have an immense task giving them consideration.

Mr. Quinn was honored with appointment as a member of the legislative inaugural 1 committee serving at Gov. Park's inauguration. He was one of the twelve members of the house appointed on this committee. According to the announcement of committee appointments reported in the daily papers Tuesday Mr.

Quinn fared well in the appointments made by the speaker of the house. He was made chairman of the committee on criminal justice and is a member of the committees on roads and highways; consolidation of boards, bureaus, and pensions. -LaGrange Indicator. Elijah Alexander Carver was born near Lexington, November 12, 1846, and died at his home south of LaBelle, January 13, 1933, at the age of 86 years. COAL "If it is Coal, we have it" STANDARD COAL CO.

C. C. WILLS, Mgr. PHONE 370 DEAL ESTATE THE DEPRESSION TURNED in 1932. So Says Albert H.

Wiggan, Head of the Chase National Bank of New York City, in His Annual Statement. Under the Direction of Mr. Wiggan the Chase Became the World's Largest Bank. The Statement of a Man Like This is Entitled to Some Consideration. Let Us Hope Mr.

Wiggan is Right. When the Turn Comes Real Estate Will Be One of the First Things to Show Change. The Present Low Values of Farm Property Makes it a Splendid Investment. The Will Trotter farm consists of 80 acres, six miles west of LaGrange in Lewis adjoining the Midway school. The gravel runs to the school house, but the improvements are about one-half mile north of the school.

The house was built about 15 years ago and is a substantial frame building with 5 rooms on the ground floor and 3 unfinished rooms on the second. There is a large barn, with a good frame work but needing some repairs on the siding. 70 acres can be and has been cultivated, but for the past few years the entire farm has been in grass. This is a fine proposition for any one wanting a well improved and fertile farm. We have many other farms on our list in Lewis and adjoining counties, in almost any acreage that you wish and at very attractive prices and on reasonable terms.

We shall be pleased to hear from you in person or by letter or phone. LAWRENCESON VANOSDOL Canton, Missouri.