The Gate Valley Star (Gate, Okla.), Vol. 15, No. 43, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 13, 1921 Page: 4 of 6
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OKLAHOMA
GATE
THE VALLEY STAR,
RECOMMENDS COMPLETE
SURVEY OF EDUCATION-
AL SYSTEM
SUGGESTS PROFITEERING LAW
The
ro
Governor Declares Oklahoma
Will Weather Price Slump
Better Than Any Other
State.
THE
THE MEMBERS OF
EIGHTH LEGISLATURE:
In compliance with the require-
ments of the Constitution, it becomes
my duty to address you, by means
of a Message, setting forth, in a gen-
eral way, the conditions of the State.
At the outset, I desire, on behalf
of our people, to return thanks to
the Supreme Ruler of the Universe
for the many blessings, material and
otherwise, that have been vouchsafed
to us, during the past two years, as a
people and a State. We have been
(with few minor exceptions) peculiar-
ly free from devastating storms, epi-
demics, riots and other Calamities.
The crop seasons have been exception-
ally good and the earth has brought
forth a wonderful yield of all those
things necessary and desirable lor
the welfare of our people.
The oil and gas production in this
State has reached enormous propor-
tions and Oklahoma has now the
proud distinction of leading all the
States in the production of that source
of wealth.
Tho lead and zinc mines, and the
coal mines and other mineral pro-
ducts have been constantly exceedtui?
all past records; labor as a general
rule, is happy and contented and has
been exceedingly prosperous. The
State has had, perhaps, less than its
share of disturbances in the industrial
and economic world. The moral at
mosphere in the State is good and the
educational institutions are prosper-
ing to an extraordinary degroe. We
now have more than two million peo-
ple and our institutions, eleemosynary,
charitable, penal and otherwise, in
numbers aro largely in excess of those
of our surrounding States, which goes
to show that tho people of this State
have a kindly interest in their unfor
tuna:es, defectives and delinquents
The various State institutions are in*
fine condition and are functioning
properly with a better degree of ef-
ficiency than heretofore known.
The various Departments of the
State Government are also in good
condition and functioning properly
and aro rendering to the people a
splendid service, considering the na-
tural handicaps and limitations they
are compelled to meet.
The tendency of those living on
farms to move to town and engage In
non-producing avocations is a subject
or deep concern. That problem, how
ever, is not perculiar to Oklahoma, but
is found in all the States of the Un-
ion.
The recent slump in prices has
caused considerable apprehension in
the minds of thoughtful people as to
the ultimate result, and it has been
especially hard on the wheat farmer,
the cotton grower, the stock raiser and
the banks, but in the last few days, a
more optimistic spirit seems to have
permeated the commercial world, and
I am sure, if we will but analyze the
situation properly, taking into con-
sideration and giving due weight to
the causes thereof, we will be able to
weather the storm here in Oklahoma
as well, if not better, than they will
in the other parts of the nation.
Tn a written message, it is impos-
sible to go into details on all the im-
portant and interesting subjects. Time
nor space will not permit this to be
done, but there are a few specific mat-
ters and things that I feel should be
submitted and, with your permission,
1 will proceed to their consideration.
Agriculture,
Agriculture, being our chief indus-
try, is entitled to our unifom and con-
sistent friendly consideration. There
is no danger of overproduction of food-
stuffs, but there is grave danger that
even the normal production will cease
unless the farmer and stock-raiser is
enabled to obtain a fair profit on his
Investment and for his labor. The
present situation in that respect, not
only in Oklahoma but throughout the
entire country, needs but to be men-
tioned to warrant the foregoing as-
sertion. We should, therefore, give
every question that sugests relief to
the farmer, our early and careful
study and should not hesitate to offer
help; provided, of course, that the as-
sistance offered is constructive and
not merely temporary and paternalis-
tic.
The farmer is not asking charity.
All he asks is that he be given a
iquare deal. This he has never had
and in all economic disturbances, he
is the first to suffer and the last, to re-
cover. This is due to a multiplicity of
reasons and many of his ills are due
to his own faults and shortcomings.
But, In my opinion, the chief reason
is due to his Inherent desire to stand
alone, to be independent, to avoid
thinking along .co-operative lines and
to avoid proper organization. To be
sure, he is now and for decades past
has been, the victim of demagogic and
selfish organizers, so-called, whose
only object in life is to escape honest
toil and to capitalize credulity and
prejudice, and his chief resource is an
unjust and unwarranted appeal to
class consciousness which is always
fatal to any move for permanent and
unselfish result.
While it is true that much, and
probably now the chief relief may
come from Congress, there is import-
ant and necessary work for one State
to do. To that end, may I not hope-
fully sugest for your consideration at
this session a few important things.
It is impossible to ' correctly ap-
proximate the great value of our pres-
ent Marketing Commission, which, as
you know, is a Bureau in the Depart-
ment of Agriculture. Yet, great as its
value is now, it needs your careful at-
tention in order that, by proper devel-
opment, it may serve the people to a
much greater degree. A survey should
be made by some appropriate com-
mittee, having for is objeet the enact-
ment of laws that will guarantee—
a. A more perfect system of stand
ardization by the adoption of uniform
grades of all products.
b. The adoption of uniform contain
ers and packages.
c. A uniform system of inspection
and adequate laws, rule and regula-
tions for the enforcement of these and
other provisions.
I feel justified in saying that mill
ions of dollars are lost every year be
cause of the prevailing unfair and
standardardless system of grading cot
ton. It is too much to expect satisfac
tion in this respect by leaving the
whole matter to buyers without, any
relief, in the way of law, to the pro-
ducer.
Our law on co-operative buying and
selling should also be developed with
the idea of assisting the producers to
more perfectly organized co-operative
marketing associations for the purpose
or standardization of farm products
and organized marketing; for consum-
ers co-operative associations for elimi-
nating unnecessary duplication of ser-
vice and cost of distribution to con-
sumers and for practical assistance in
problems of marketing, business man-
agement and other vital questions.
We should have uniform and com-
prehensive legislation on Transporta-
tion, looking to
a. Prevention of loss and unneces-
sary delay in transportation.
b. Easy means for the recovery of
losses produced thereby.
c. Regulation,by license, if neces-
sary, of unfair trade practices of Com-
mission men and cold storage ware-
houses.
d. Improvement and enlargement
of depot, terminal and warehouse fa
cilities of common carriers and whole
sale dealers of food products.
e. A uniform system of market re-
ports to be supervised by the Depart-
ment of Agriculture.
f. Permission to counties to issue
bonds for the erection and opert^ion
of warehouses for cotton, wheat,
broom-corn, etc.
g. Development of the laws, relat-
ing to warehouses, warehouse receipts
and for the co-relation of same to and
with those of the Federal government.
b. For licensing, under strict regu-
lation, the operation of cold storage
plants and the sale (under the nealth
laws) of cold storage products. Pro-
viding, among other things, that the
date of receipt of all products should
be plainly stamped on either the pio-
ducts Irelf or the container; ako the
market price of the product at the
time it was placed in cold stora:e etc
etc.
i. Severe penalties on commoa cai-
riers for failure to furnish necessary
transportation facilities; for fauu/9 to
properlv and quickly transport, for
failure to give proper terminal, stuck-
yard, warehouse and unloading facili-
ties, with .n. general revision of our
laws on these subjects, conferring con-
current jurisdiction with the Corpora-
tion Commission on the Courts for re-
lief, as the present remedies, for some
reason or other, wholy inadequate and
are no longer sought by the people.
j. Provisions for the speedy and
correct dissemination of market re-
ports by the State for the benefit of
the public generally, with heavy pen-
alties for the publication of false re-
ports, either of market or crop con-
j ditions. This could be done by proper
co-operation with very little or no ex-
pense to the State.
The above and foregoing are, in my
opinion, of prime importance yet there
are many other things of almost equal
importance, some of "hich are:
a. The Department of Agriculture
should have an Assisant Attorney Gen
eral (to be named by the Attorney
General by and with the consent of
the President of the Board of Agricul
ture.) That Department has constant
use for an active attorney who should
be required to devote all his time to
the duties of the Department.
b. The pure seed law, which was
enacted by the Seventh Legislature
and which is of very great value to
the farmers and gardners of the
State, was attacked in the Federal
court by foreign seed houses and per-
ceptably weakened. It would be
amended.
c. A Bureau or Forestry and Park
should be created in the Board of
Agriculture.
d. There are many good reasons
why a stringent "dog law" should be
enacted. The sheep industry, alone
is sufficient justification for such a
statute. I recommend such a law to
the last Legislature, but it failed ot
passage. I submit it again in the hope
that it will be given your attention.
Revenues.
The fiscal affairs of the state are
in good condition notwithstanding un-
toward and unusual conditions in the
financial world. At the close of the
last fiscal year, June 30th, 1920, there
was a surplus in the General Revenue
Fund of $2,214,600.00. The collections
from special taxes for the past five
months are somewhat in excess of the
estimate made but this condition was
foreseen and expected and^should not
permit us to become over enthusiastic.
The majority of the Board of Equili-
zation, at the time the anual levy was
made, anticipated that which came to
pass, to-wit: The general slump in
prices. The end is not yet, and the
more recent events affecting the oil
industry authorizes the conclusion
that the revenue from that source will
rapidly fail, due to decrease both in
price and production. The recent ac-
tion of the Pipe Lines in curtailing
runs can have but one result, viz: The
driving of the small arid independent
producer out of business and the sus-
pension of wild cat activities. Scores
of little refiners, during the past 30
days'have either ceased or very great-
ly curtailed operation; the demand for
gasoline has perceptibly decreased
md I fear the industry is due a great
set back and demorilization which will
require a year or two of careful re-
adjustment to bring stability and equ-
ilibrium. What is true of oil.and gas
is likewise true of lead and zinc. The
revenue from the income tax source
likewise is bound to be greatly re-
duced. On the contrary we have been
endeavoring to operate the State on a
pre-war basis and as a result the main-
tenance found of nearly all the schools
and in most of the State Institutions
will have been exhausted long before
the end of .the fi^pal year. I am sure
the surplus existing June 30 last will
not supply th actual needs of the
State by the time the end of this fiscal
year arrives. This state of affairs was
known by the State Board of Equiliza-
tion at the time this year's levy was
made.
Education.
During the last year, the Rockefel-
ler Foundation made public the result
of what is generally understood as a
survey of the educational standing of
the various States. To the amaze-
ment of all, Oklahoma was therein ac-
corded 36th place among the States of
the Union. While, in my opinion, this
report is unfair and misleading, yet it
is a patent fact that our educational
system falls short and does not meet
our requirements or expectations. The
reasons are many and obvious, but, to
my mind, the chief reason can be
found in the inefficiency of our com-
mon schools. I think I can safely as-
sert that the common schools of today
are inferior to those of a generation
ago and. what is more demoralizing,
under our present policy I can see no
good reason to hope for their better-
ment.
The reasons for this condition are
not difficult to locate nor yet are they
hard to understand when known. The
road question, in my opinion, is very
largely responsible for present condi-
tions. Yet, good roads alone will not
solve the problem. The solemn truth
is that we have endeavored to build
our educational system as a pyramid
founded on our higher institutions of
learning as the base, culminating in
the common schools as the apex when,
as a matter of course, the common
schools should be the base and foun-
dation of our entire system, culminat-
ing in the higher institutions, with the
University as the high point or peak
What we need now, to my mind, is
a careful and thoroughly complete dia
gnosis of our infirmity. To this end,
may I not respectfully sugest that a
comprehensive survey of our entire
educational system be made by a Com-
mission of experts with ample time
and means to investigate, not only our
own shortcomings in this respect but
the good features of those older states
who have groped as we are now
groping. This Commission should be
given plenty of time and money to
thoroughly and completely survey the
whole subject and should be required
to report not only the facts as they
find them, but should make recom
mendations for the solution of the
problems which we have failed to
solve. Our continuation as a free state
and the perptuation of our free in-
stitutions depend upon the mucaxion
of our people. *re cannot, therefore,
shut our eyes to the situation which
confronts us and which is recognized
and appreciated by all.
Roads and Highways.
The Congress has adopted the policy
of appropriating funds to be expended
in the several states in aiding the
state authorities in the construction of
permanent highways. There has been
alloted to the State of Oklahoma, un-
der this plan of Federal Aid to the
States, the sum of $1,300,000.00 avail-
able for the year 1920 that is yet un-
matched by State and County funds,
and $2,306,111.00 for the fiscal year of
1921 and approximately $2,300,000.00
will no doubt be alloted for the year
1922.
Under the provisions of the Federal
Aid Act, the State is required to at
least meet these allotments of Federal
Aid with equal amounts and the com-
bined funds are then expended in riie
construction of permanent highways
under the joint supervision of the
State and Federal authorities. Federal
Aid projects have been prepared and
approved by the State and Federal
road authorities covering the Federal
Aid available to and including 1920.
Should the legislature fail to make the
necessary appropriations to cover
these allotments totalling approxi-
mately $6,000,000.00 of Federal Aid,
the same, although sorely needed, may
be lost. It is clearly the duty of the
State, through the Legislature, to pro-
vide the necessary funds to cover
these allotments of Federal Aid in the
construction of permanent State high-
ways and in addition thereto, to pro-
vide an adequate sum to be expended
in aiding such counties of the State as
do not participate in the said Federal
Aid in the construction of permanent
highways and, in this manner, the
benefit of State aid can and should be
equalized among the Counties.
Prior Legislatures have wisely
adopted the policy of extending State
aid to the counties in permanent road
construction, but the Seventh Legisla-
ture, on account of unfavorable condi-
tions and other causes deemed suffici-
ent, omitted the needed appropriation.
This ommission should be supplied by
this Legislautre.
It is, therefore, recommended I hat
the Legislature give thoughtful con-
sideration to this most, pressing need
of the people of the State.
In addition to the above, I desire to
call your attention to a few other
items, in this connection, which may
be of interest.
The question of inspection and su-
pervision of highways and bridges is
of the utmost importance yet no ade-
quate provision is made by the State
law for such work.
One of the glaring defects in this
matter is the question of salaries for
engineers. It is imposible to get effici-
ent engineers for $5.00 per day, es-
pecially when the man who pushed a
wheelbarrow on the work is drawing
from $6.00 to $8.00 per day.
There has been some complaint
concerning the method of collecting
automobile license money. There are
some who think this duty should be
performed by the counties. I sincerely
hope that no such change in the law
will be permitted as it would only
tend to inefficiency and confusion.
It might not be amiss to call your
attention to the fact that the Highway
Department has collected, during the
past year, for automobile registration
fees, the sum of $2,293,787.51, and
has issued license tags to the number
of 201,697. Ninety percent of thesefees
have been paid back into the county
which the automobile is located,
rove's
is the Genuine
and Only
Laxative
Bromo -iat
Quinine
tablets
The first and original Cold and
Grip tablet, the merit of which
is recognized by all civilized
nations.
6e careful to avoid Imitations.
Be sure its Bromo
The genuine bears this signature
30c.
A Clean Send-Away.
A farmer lad was writing ti letter to
a city friend. Having no other en-
velope than a very dirty one that he
had carried in his pocket for quite a
while, he used it, but annexed at the
end of the letter:
"P. S.—Please excuse the envelopes
It was clean when it left my hands."
IN YE OLDEN TIME
Hoop
ekirts were
worn by
those who
first asked
the druegist
for, ana in-
sisted on
having, the
genuine
Golden
Medical
Discovery
put up by
Dr. Pierce over fifty years
ago. Dress has changed^ very
much since then! But Dr. Pierce a
medicines contain the same de-
pendable ingredients. They are
standard today just as they were
fifty years ago.
Dr. Pierce's Golden Medical
Discovery for the stomach and
blood cannot be surpassed by any
remedy today.
Dr. Pierce's Favorite Prescrip-
tion for weak women has never
been equalled for the distressing
complaints incident to woman-
hood. What others say: 4
Jordan, Mo.—"My health has great-
ly improved since the use of Dr. Pierce's
Golden Medical Discovery and also the
'Favorite Prescription.' When I began
their use I only weighed 110. Could
not do my housework and could not be
about much. Had to sleep propped up
on pillows. Now I can lie down and
sleep on one pillow, can do my house-
work, washing and ironing, and feel
just like a different person. I weigh 140
pounds."—Mas. Mayme Teaque.
while ten per cent is paid to the gen-
eral revenue fund of the State, which
moTe than pays the operation of the
entire Department.
CONCLUSION.
The foregoing are some of the more
important topics that I desire to call
your attention to at this time.
I desirs to assure both Houses and
each member, personally, that it is my
earnest desire to co-operate whole
heartedly with you in the accomplish
ment of your manifold duties, and to
render you every assistance that
can.
I remind you again of the dignity
and importance of your position and
urge upon you the necessity of per
mitting nothing to be done in your
Body that would in the least detract
from the same. Legislators, like other
public servants, are compelled to meet
many vexatious and unnecessary prob-
lems and to bear unjustified criti
cisms. This is one of the penalties
that a public servant must pay.
I suggest that you take ample time
for the performance of your duties
and remember that "Rome was not
built in a day," and that, while you
may not be able to accomplish every
thing you now expect, yet that which
is accomplished should be the result
of a mature and ripened judgment.
I wish you each and all unqualified
success and trust that the session
may be harmonious and of great value
to the people and the State.
Respectfully,
J. B. A. ROBERTSON,
Governor.
Viseline
Rc4us.pat.0fr.
PETROLEUM JELLY
For burns, cuts,
sprains and all
skin irritations.
Relieves dryness
of scalp. ~
REFUSE SUBSTITUTES
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State Street New York
UNLIMITED NUMBER OF
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at our disposal. What will you give foi
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W. N. U., WICHITA, NO. 2-1921,
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Stevens, Arthur J. The Gate Valley Star (Gate, Okla.), Vol. 15, No. 43, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 13, 1921, newspaper, January 13, 1921; (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc168307/m1/4/: accessed April 23, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.