Hon. Earl Snell
I GOVERNOR OF OREGON ADDRESSES 43 rd LEGISLATURE
Governor Snell’s message to his sec-
ond war time legislature could be con
strued ast\ a pat I on the back for state
employees, from the department heads
who have successfully carried on with
only a minimum of personnel to the
rank and file of state employees who
are carrying an extra burden in order
that-Oregon could contribute her just
share to the war effort. Said Governor
Snell, "Oregon can well be proud*'of
the tremendous contributions she has
made to our all-out war effort.- Ore
gon I has established outstanding re
cords in enlistments and. volunteers; in
purchase^of war bonds; in blood plasma
contributions; selective service, activi
ties;' civilian defense; and many" other
jpK’a,§e^?of our war activities. Oregon
haS met the challenge of the home front
—on the farm and in the home; in^the
factory and in the yards; in the for-
^Sts and in the mill.”
However, the , Governor continued,
"This is no time to rest on laurels or
records. We must continue to do our
utmost. Therefore, in all our delibera
tions let our thoughts and action' be
guided primarily in the interest of war
and total victory . . . postwar oppor
tunity and security.'/. . a lasting peace
throughout the world.”
The Governor stated that Oregon was
fn the best financial position in which
i t ' has been for a long; tiirie and, "No.
o n e m a n is ' responsible^ for Oregon’s
present most favorable’financial condi
tion. Credit belongs to many Estate offi
cials and office' holders, both present'
and past.”'''
'Governor, Snell'/yn hisIreference to
taxation showed Oregon’s tax burden
B be lower than tnat“;of our neighbor
ing states, Washington and California.
Old age assistance has increased from
an average of around $24.,QO in 1943
__ s BB—
GOVERNOR EARL SNELL
to an average of $37.00. Said Governor
Snell, "Forty dollars per month is little
enough to provide sustenance and rea
sonable comfort for those elderly citi
zens.” The budget for thé Public Wel
fare program has been increased' for the
ensuing biennium.
I The Governor reeomm^pded legisla-r
tion to make Oregon Veterans’ benefits
effective and the creation of "A De
partment of Veterans’ Welfare to be
manned by a single commissioner or
director appointed by the Governor.”
He stated thatagriculture and Forestry
production hâvé reached an ^all tirrte
high. Farm income for each of the two
preceding years exceeded two hundred
sixty million dollars and forestry' pro
duction exceeded?, seven .- 'billion board
feet.
I Governor Snell .recommended "an in
creased allotment from highway funds
be set aside for tourist promotion in
-the postwar period. . . . I believe that
it is generally^ recognized that Oregon
fs;the top ranking recreational and in-
- (Continued On page 4).