The Yale expositor., 1911-01-06


lars per capita Comprehensive laws
looking 10 the perfection OF simple
uniform systems and as perfect econ
omy 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
closely the expenditure of money.
From them the state can learn some
thing. There could be created in
some of the existent state departments
a sub-department, 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 meth
DDS now in vogue.
State Fire Marshal.
j bespeak your consideration OF a
law creating a state fire marshal to
be under the direction and a part Of
the department of the State Insurance
1 commissioner In other states the
active ferreting out and punishment
OF those guilty of arson has reduced
the fire loss, fire risk, and fire insur-
ance rates, making for great saving
OF money and lessening of fire crimes
Duplication of Educational Work.
All of our educational institutions
are in good condition. There Is,
however, much duplication OF work
and especially by the University. the
Agricultural College and the College
OF Mines. Ideally, all of these insti-
init CHI lx,
one great university. A law requiring
joint meetings OF the boards con-
trolling the University, Agricultural
College and College of Mines and the
State Normal Schools should have
your consideration
Convict Labor.
| desire to especially call your at
| tentlon to the profitable achievements
OF the Detroit House of Correction as
an illustration OF what may be- done
in the way of prison labor The prob
lem of convict employment is one
most difficult to solve. In several
states convict labor on the public
highways is employed to advantage
The Colorado honor system seems to
be especially good. hope convict
labor on roads will be given a full
and fair trial in Michigan The con-
! tract system seems to have been
abused in Michigan. Contractors have
reaped profits at the expense of Mich
igan taxpayers. | hope that out Of the
especial study of this matter, directed
! by and arranged for by the last legis-
lature much good shall come.
The States Finances.
No concealment from the people
should be made of the exact financial
condition OF the state. BY rigorous
economy, reasonable budget and
careful analysis of proposed appropria-
! tions the state should be again placed
on an even financial keel at once
shall insist that my appointive heads
of departments cut down expenses to
| bed rock and / trust that all elective
officers will sympathize and aid in the
same direction. We are confronted
at this moment with a large deficit
the exact amount of which | have not
learned, but probably amounting to at
least a million dollars.
There should be perfect harmony of
action to correct the present deplor-
able conditions.
Reservation OF Mineral Rights.
There is still some state land that
may have stone, oil, gas, or mineral
values apart from their agricultural
and timber value. In all sales by the
state hereafter there should be such
a reservation of right TO the people as
will enable them to participate in
| hidden values IL ever discovered and
developed
Water Powers Of the State.
The water powers OF the state have
almost entirely passed into the hands
of private owners. A policy that has
for it's purpose the securing to the
state OF a special income from the
operation of water powers should be
persisted In. Care will be taken, Of
course. to do nothing that will render
over difficult the general and success
ful development of the valuable water
powers in the state. Such develop
ment can only result in a great in
crease in the taxable tangible values
! of the state.
Wood Lots on Farms.
A law requiring, or at least encour.
aging, the growth and existence and
conservation of a wood lot on every
farm in the state would be to the ad-
vantage of the farmer directly and TO
all of the people of the state mdi-
rectly
Regulation Of Private Banks.
/ There seems to be no good reason
why private banks should not have
some state supervision and he re-
CURED, on call, to file statements.
! Their sale or transfer should be sub
ject to the approavl OF the State
Banking Commissioner.
Women and Child Labor.
Laws regulating the conditions I'M
der which women and children may
be employed should be perfected as
much as possible, in the interest of
women and children Simplicity OF
enforcement should be sought in form
and wholesome practical results
should be aimed at.
State Land Office.
recommend the adjustment of the
state land Office and the proper trans
fer of the work now done in that de-
partment and worth while continuing.
Secret Service Fund.