Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-01-21

furnishing power for the generating OF
electricity and the running OF machinery
thereby serving the double purpose Of not
only furnishing power and convenience In
transportation but also, indirectly protect
ing the coal fields aud other natural re-
sources OF the state
believe that the commercial organizes
tlons OF the various cities OF the state
which have already taken up the study OF
the conservation and development of our
natural resources, would be glad to con.
t tsn'r e their efforts and contribute OF
such commission If the state will lend
LIS moral influence and support to the
pr e Sha, it has, therefore. occurred to
me anat IL might be profitable to eon-
sidef the creation OF a commission on con
sefvation and development of natural re.
sources SOU which should consist of at least
nve members each OF the five largest com
mercial clubs or business mems associa-
tlons or various cities of the state naming
one member, the expense OF the members
unu o. the commission to be borne by the
association represented, or 1t might be adj
ylsable TO permit each club OF the state
uesIring membership in such commission TO
name one member, IL the club is Willing to
bear IFS share of the expense as above
provlaed would not, however, deem II
Wise that the membership OF the commits
sion exceed ten or fifteen at most
Merchant Marine.
In my judgment our nation needs 70
pe thoroughly aroused to the necessity for
W ,ve ire-establlshment Of merchant marine
rapid progress In almost every line or
branch of trade, industry or business en-
tsrprize. we have signaliy failed as 20
nrii, marine. Some obvious reason
sNta why this nation has not been able
70 compete with other nations In the mat.
ter OF shipping upon the high seas.
l am not arguing for ship subsidies.
nope nope some other solution to the question
san DC found. The necessity for the
eStao,lshment OF this great enterprise is
an that 4 am considering
il
! want to commend the action of the
cnmnerclal clubs. not only OF our capitnl
eity, but OF other cities of the state. in
n, lelr enorts to learn the facts as to
,uscruhlnatlons and to remove any exist.
ing disadvantages to our people i trust
that you, as members OF the General AS,
sembiy, VIII Interest yourselves IN these
matters ana IL You ind additional IegIsla.
ion needed to protect our interests along
the lines above suggested, such legislation
should be promptly enacted.
Public Utilities Commission.
The question OF the establishment Of
q commission to regulate aud control the
public utilities OF the state has been dis.
eussed to greater or less extent by some
OF our people and is, In my Judgment
subject worthy Of your careful consid
GRAFTON.
This whole subject is one far reaching
In Its effect and OF great Importance TO
all Of our people. In my Judgment Its
consideration cannot and should not be
Ing deferred. ! believe that 1t is entitled
~, " your moSt thougntful considefa-
A Revenue Commission.
it - proposed that a commission be ap-
pointed for the purpose OF making study
o. ahe Question OF revenues ana taxation,
which commission shall report TO the next
session OF the General Assembly bill
embodying a proposed new law upon the
question atS ono OF taxation. Our past experience
| WIN such a commission has not been very
| satisfactory, the report OF one or more
such commissions having been rejected
| ny the legislature, but the magnitude ana
Importance of an attempted revision of the
| revenue laws is such that I'm my Judgment
| It could not, with satisfaction, be accom-.
, n,asnsd t, during . regular session Of the
| bill IL made during n recess.
Revision of School Laws.
! The Thirty-second General Assembly
created t 9 commission to consider and re-
! proposed revision of the entire school laws
| Of the state. The work has been done and
alton.
The Auditors Office.
Having recently retired from the office
| or Auditor of State, / trust that you will
not deem It improper Il make a few OBJ,
seryations as to the affairs of that office.
1T Is generally recognized. not only by our
own people, but by all those who are ac-
| qualnted with the various interests now
supervised by the Auditor, as being one OF
the very important offices OF the state
| Know from experience, that the enormous
amount OF work connected with the vari-
ons departments makes II almost impos-
| slble Tor anyone to famiiarlze himself WIN
| all the details of the office and with the
| law with reference thereto, so as to know
when the several departmnts are being
| properly managed and supervised.
! ! can say to you with assurance that 1
\ know whereof ] speak, that neither time
nor human endurance makes 1t possible
| for any man to personally supervise the
auditing department the revenue depart-
ment. the insurance department, the bank
Ing department. the municipal accounting
| department and 10 serve as n member of
the Executive Council with the enormous
| amount of business now connected with
| each of the branches OF the Auditors
4 office and the rapid increase in the business
| Of each and all of them. ! say It Is i'm,
| possible for any man to do all OF the
| above without great injustice TO himself
or to some of the various interests OF the
| state entrusted to his care. ! do not
| now care 10 pursue this discussion to tie
! extent Of suggesting how relief should he
given TO this department Of our stat"
! government. That | shall leave for you
| to consider, but am deeply in earnest
| as to the necessity for some action to be
taken with reference thereto.
Fees and Ped Diem.
! / have for long time believed that IN
4 50 far rs 1t becomes possible the per
! diem and fee systems or compensation
should be abolished. The more | observe
| the workings Of each the more thoroughly
| become convinced that they re wrong.
4 | believe that in almost every instance
| where the per diem system now prevails
the scope of the work to be performed is
such that 1t can readily be determined
what would be n reasonable compensation
! therefor and that In all such cases q
| fixed salary should be provided.
Documents and Printing.
In my judgment. your committee on
| printing should look carefully into the
Guestlon OF the number of rnports and
| documents that are now provided FOR In
order to determine whether or not an up-
| necessarily large number of some OF them
/ is not now printed also, to see If the de
manG for some kinds Of reports and doeu-
ments may no. nave increased so MS TO
make II. desirable that larger number
be supplied
Law Enforcement.
Laws ought to be enforced, they should
| be strictly enforced If perchance they be
too drastic. let them be amended, but let
them at all times be obeyed. Laxness In
law enforcement leads to disregard for
the law itself and to disrespect for ana
distrust Of public officials. In the main. 1
believe the oeople will be given just such
| official service as they demand
legislative Responsibility.
Members Of the General Assembly. in
closing l went to assure you that | fully
| appreciate the important position Of tle
legislator, ns ] have been privileged TO
occupy scat In your honorable body.
No rseater responsibility rests upon any
| official than the responsibility resting upon
the men who make the laws. The execli-
tive or administrative officer who is faith-
full TO duty will carry into effect the laws
which he finds upon the statute books.
Therefsrc. the responsibility of determin-
| ing the effect OF statute should rest with
the legislature.
| Our people are Justly proud OF our state
| and Of It's institutions and we should
write IL upon the tablets OF our hearts
and emblazon II upon our banners that In
| comparison with other states and with
| the Institutions Of other states there shall
be none better than our own.