Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1911-01-05
inauguration Of Useless Board.

MuTyrSTicatioh OF Useless Boards-
Michigan seems to have weakness
for state boards All board members
draw something from the state, and
unnecessary boards are cumbrous and
entangling There are eight boards
whose titles, at least. relate to the
public health. Most of them could be
wisely incorporated In the state board
OF health.
The board of mediation and arbitra-
ton Is a useless board, and should be
abolished.
The state livestock sanitary COM
mission and the state veterinary board
should be consolidated The board TO
regulate the practice of horseshoeing
should be abolished, and its work, II
II has any, should be done by the
veterinary board.
The board of examiners of BARRIERS
should be abolished and It's work done
by the board Of health.
ommissioner of Agriculture.
The Adjustments of useless depart
ments would make way for useful
ones. | recommend the creation of
a state department of agriculture, TO
of agriculture The department should
cooperate with the Michigan Agri-
cultural college It's principal work
should be the protection and develop
ment OF all phases OF the states great
agricultural interests, the encourage
ment of all forms OF agricultural So
cieties and all work that would tend
| to interest, improve, protect and de-
h0 nj he Of
| agriculture.
The Primary Election Law.
recommend further consideration
Of the primary election law with a
| view to it's perfection. The present
law is good, but not perfect. 1t should
be supplemented by an adequate cor
rupt practice act. The amount of mon
ey q candidate may expend should -
designated.
| / have In mind in this connection
the provisions of the Oregon primary
law. to which am pleased to call your
attention. The time of holding ths
primary election should be set with
reference to the peoples convenience
and accommodation.
| The present law is too vague as to
what candidate may and may not
do and seems to lend itself to several
reasonable interpretations. making for
confusion and impotency.
Uniform Accounting Laws.
Uniform accounting laws and laws
for the state inspection of the ac-
counts of counties, cities, towns and
villages should be perfected. State
and local government costs Michigan
more than slO0,000,000 annually, or
quite $35 per capita. Comprehensive
laws looking to the perfection OF
simple uniform systems and as per-
feet economy as efficiency will permit
should have careful consideration at
/ your hands.
State Purchasing Bureau.
At present the state money seems to
be expended by too many persons
Large private corporations watch close
ly the expenditure of money. From
them the state can learn something
There could be created in some OF the
existent state departments sub-de
partment, whose work should be the
purchase of at least staple supplies for
all Of the institutions OF the state. In
any event, changes for the better can
be made In the methods now in vogue
State Fire Marshal.
| / bespeak your consideration of a
law creating state fire marshal, to
be under the direction and part oil
the department OF the state insurance
commissioner. In other states the act
i've ferreting out and punishment OF
those guilty of arson has reduced the
fire loss, fire risk and fire insurance
rates, making for a great saving OF
money and lessening of fire crimes.
Separation Of Grades.
A consistent and persistent policy 81
grade separation of steam railroads
electric railroads and street crossings
II inaugurated under wise laws. would
result In a great saving OF life and
property. Such a policy, reasonably
pursued, would not inflict impossible
hardship upon either the railroad com
panies or the public. In my opinion
legislation In this direction should take
more definite and compulsory form
Other states and countries appreciate
their public duty in this direction
Michigan should not be recreant.
Stronger Railroad Cars.
Great good could be accomplished by
a reasonable law defining the nature
and strength of railroad carriages. As
fast as flimsy rolling stock now In
use is worn out and condemned II
should be replaced by steel carriages
complying with a safe standard fixed
by the state. Dinky cabooses OF
freight trains should be outlawed.
One Board System.