CHAMBERS SHOULD KEEP CONTROL OF FEE OFFICES

As was noted in this space recently concerning the dismissal of Dexter's Charles Kruse as assistant adjutant general with the onset of the new governor's administration, the victor enjoys the spoils of a political fight. With this same premise comes the possibility that license fee offices in Cape Girardeau and Jackson will leave the hands of the chambers of commerce in those communities and go instead to an individual. We believe this is a step in reverse and hope the chambers and their members will be vigorous in efforts to convince Gov. Carnahan that these agencies are in the proper hands.

Patronage has long been an important currency in politics, and fee offices are plentiful for distribution to party loyalists. In 1981, Gov. Christopher Bond took a different route and allowed chambers of commerce to serve as agents for these bureaus. It was a marriage of convenience and good sense: fee offices are necessary outlets for the collection of revenue from various state licenses, and chambers of commerce are stable community institutions that can use proceeds to further local economic development, which, in turn, also benefits the state. About 20 chambers operate fee offices around the state, and all Missourians get a return from this arrangement.

However, the governor wins the right to decide this however he chooses. When Gov. Ashcroft served two terms in office, he followed his predecessor's lead. Gov. Carnahan has made no decision yet, but indications are he may be of a different mind on the subject. With confirmation of a Department of Revenue director pending, a decision might be in the offing that removes the license fee offices from the purview of the area chambers.

We feel this would be a mistake. Chambers of commerce direct their efforts at the betterment of business within their communities, and fee office proceeds could wisely be spent in that pursuit. Directing those proceeds to individuals may feed the political patronage machine, but it would not necessarily improve the communities where fee offices are located.

Gov. Carnahan will be in Cape Girardeau this week, speaking, ironically, to a business conference sponsored by the local chamber of commerce. We urge officials and members of the Cape Girardeau and Jackson chambers to make sure in the coming days the governor and his advisers know their feelings about keeping the license fee offices in their control, naming specific advantages for this course of action. Patronage should not win out when community betterment is at issue.