Oregon daily emerald., May 21, 1976, Section B, Page 11, Image 23

Myers:
By CRAIG WALKER
Of the Emerald
Clay Myers says he feels
that his experience as Secret
ary of State would be benefi
cial to him as State Treasurer.
Myers has held the Secretary
of State office since 1967.
“I am the only candidate
with the unique blend of pri
vate business success cou
pled with top level state gov
ernment experience,” says
Clay Myers
A unique blend
of experiences
Myers. He adds that while his
campaign committee urged
him to run for Congress, he felt
that he is more qualified for
treasurer than for any other
job.
Myers, like other State
treasurer candidates, opposes
"moral obligation” bonds.
Myers says that as treasurer
he would establish a commit
tee of Oregon businessmen,
who regularly make major in
vestments, to advise him on
financial matters.
‘‘There are people in
Oregon who do what the
treasurer does with the same
amount of money (about $2
billion) who are quite willing to
volunteer their time to advise
the treasurer,” says Myers.
Myers says that his past ex
perience on the State Land
Board, of which the Secretary
of State and State Treasurer
are members, would allow a
smooth transition of jobs on
the board.
Myers, who attended the
University, ran unsuccessfully
for governor in 1974.
Smets:
Wants to make businesses
aware of state loan funds
By CRAIG WALKER
Of the Emerald
John Smets indicates one of
his priorities if elected State
Treasurer would be the protec
tion of Oregon’s off-shore oil
rights.
Smets, a Lake Oswego
machinery company owner,
says that the exploration in the
Willamette Valley by Mobile
Oil Co. is merely to determine
if there is oil off Oregon’s
coast.
“By making tests in the val
ley they can find out what’s in
the ocean," Smets says, exp
laining that the oceans once
covered the valley area.
Smets says he is motivated
to run for the office because it
“fulfills my form of public ser
vice," and adds that his candi
dacy helps promote openness
and competition among the
other candidates.
Smets ran unsuccessfully
for governor, the U.S. Senate
and State Superintendent of
Schools. He runs his cam
paigns only on “what I person
ally can afford."
Like other State Treasurer
candidates Smets opposes
the issuance of "moral obliga
tion” bonds. “We must main
tain the principle of the “pru
dent man’ rule — investing
state funds in the safest man
ner for the highest return.”
Smets says that one change
he would make in office in
volves making more busines
ses aware of the state funds
available for borrowing by
qualified firms.
“The treasurer’s office
should ask banks to look more
for local businesses these
funds could help," says
Smets.
John Smets
Mann:
Wants to continue most Redden policies,
favors low-risk loans for businesses
By CRAIG WALKER
Of the Emerald
Republican candidate for
State Treasurer, Irving Mann
says that he wants to continue
the policies of the present
treasurer, Jim Redden, with
two exceptions.
“There needs to be more il
lumination of the actions of the
Oregon Investment Council,
and their actions need to be
better publicized, says Mann.
The council chooses whether
to make low interest loans to
Oregon businesses using
some of the $2 billion the state
handles. The state is the third
largest money institution in the
state (behind First National of
Oregon and U S. National of
Oregon).
Mann says also he would be
against “moral obligation"
bonds, such as were made in
New York, where the Legisla
ture must guarantee repay
ment in case of default. Mann
stressed that loans to
businesses must be made
only with security — mort
gages or a bank guarantee.
Mann, a farmer in Carlton,
Ore., has served four terms in
the Oregon legislature. He
was appointed director of the
State Department of Agricul
ture in 1971, a post he held
until 1975.
Mann says he feels the
scope of the treasurer s job is i
wide enough at this point.
While not actively advocating
additional duties, Mann says
the treasurer should under
take administration of the state
audit, currently under the di
rection of the Secretary of
State.
Mann said that although the
treasurer's office has been a
Irvin Mann
jpnngboard for gubernatorial
aces several times in the past
few years, he has no intention
Df running for governor at this
time.
COME TO A PICNIC
FUND RAISER
SUNDAY, MAY 23RD 4:00 PM TIL DUSK
AT THE WAYNE MORSE RANCH
595 CREST DR., EUGENE
34.00 per person (over 12 years)
for further information: 687-9719 687-9727
Weaver 76 Committee Treasurer Michael Sampson P 0 Bo* 3287. Eugene. Oregon 97403 May 1976