The Seattle Star

LEGISLATORS STREW MONEY WITH EASE.
Extravagance Is Shown in Appropriations for Many Sections.
BY T.J. DILLON.
OLYMPIA, March 12-The closing session of the legislature was languidly given to the consideration of the state budget, amounting to $5,961,638.07. The bill carrying this rather bulky sum was passed through the senate without a ripple, and would have gone through the house in a like peaceful manner had it not been that some of the members of the house felt that the senate had insulted the lower body. Also there was a general realization that the state budget carries from half a million to a million more than is actually needed, and those members of the house whose names, by reason of their initial letter, are far down toward the bottom of the roll, felt safe in voting against the bill. They knew the bill would pass and their one desire was to get on record as against this extravagance, to which they will point with cumulative pride some time before the next primaries. Everything had been traded back and forth. King county got her canal money, and Pierce her historical society money. Every county and district in the state had its little bit, and all joined hands to make good except a few perverse gentlemen, either insulted or politically far-seeing. All in all, this has been the most expensive legislature in the history of the state. The figures will eventually show in round numbers about $8,500,000 spent. But this is more apparent than real. Stand-Off Bills. For instance, there is the money spent for the enforcement of game laws. This is accounted an appropriation, but as a matter of fact it comes from the pockets of the hunters. If the money was not to be spent for the protection of game the state would never get it. In reality it is a stand-off, and costs the state nothing. This is true with several other large items. Nevertheless, these exceptions do not subtract from the expensive total of the session just closed. In expending money that must be raised by the general taxpayers, the legislature has been expensive, and for the most part the members appeared to be glad of it. Aside from the Wenatchee bridge grab of $190,000, there were not appropriations that will not redound 95 per cent to the advantage of the state. The bridge deal was exacted in trades, and yet remains for the governor to sign, and there is a possibility that it may yet be averted.