New-York tribune., 1911-04-23
URGES PUBLIC SERVICE
Too Little Interest in Affairs of
Government, Says Dix.
APPEAL TO BUSINESS MEN
Governor Addresses United Com
mercial Travellers of America
at Syracuse.

| Syracuse, April 22-"There is an ever
growing necessity Of business mcr1-and es
pecially young mcn-taking an active inter
| est I'm the affairs of government" declared
Governor Dix tonight. speaking at the
banquet OF the United Commercial Travel
! lers Of America. "One of the serious de
fects Of our times grows out or the fact
that Americans regard themselves as too
busy to pay attention TO the history ano
needs OF their nation and state, or even o'
the county or city in which they live. We
| must inculcate a spirit OF patriotism that
will express itself in unselfish public SER
vice"
The Governor added:
Except perhaps in the turmoils Of a Pres
idential campaign. the average man gives
little thought to public questions. The prog
ress Of the nation, the welfare OF the state,
the soundness Of business conditions. the
happiness and prosperity Of himself and
all he holds dear may depend on the proper
solution of economic and political ques-
tions. Yet too often he remains Indifferent.
IL Is your business and your duty 10 know
what governmental reforms are needed In
your municipality and In your state. only
ask you TO study public questions and de-
eide for yourselves the theories and prin-
ciples Of good government that in your
Judgment will best conserve the liberty and
progress of the state and nation and pro-
mote the uplift OF mankind. Whether this
study makes you Democrat or a Republi-
can, or an adherent OF any other political
faith, ii behoOyes you to serve your coun-
try by taking an active and constant IN.
terest i'm politics and in the discussion and
settlement Of public questions. Only In this
way can representative government be
maintained and the principles and possibili.
ties Of self-government be brought to fuli
fruiticn
The time is RAPIDLY approaching when
the government of this country VIII be
taken out OF the hands Of the self-seekers
and Will issue from the people themselves.
II rests upon YOU and me TO render what
service we can by making popular govern
meDt honest, just and efficient.
Commercial Travellers Praised.
Governor Dix praised the commercial
travellers. whom he referred TO as mis-
sionaries of commerce." and said that they
carried TO the furthest confines of the state
and nation tho spirit OF commercial rivalry
and activity which creates our cities and
makes our nation rich. prosperous and pow
erful." lie then declared:
The keynote of every successful business
enterprise is an individual application 10
the needs and conduct of business OF the
principles of progress. honesty. economy
and efficiency. Extravaganza ana waste IN
the conduct of public affairs should be re-
those who are charged with the power ana
the duty Of administering governmental al
fairs. . ,,
At this time. as 7 view II. the highway
question illustrates both the need of gov
ornn1ental reform and the difficulty OF e1-
+. citing reform through ESTABLISHING new
methods that will reduce waste ara eA-
travaGance.
In justification Of his recommendation lot
the abolition Of the state Highway COM
mission. and making those in charge OF
this Improvement directly responsible 10
the ohies executive OF the state, the Gov
ernor said:
Tic cost Of building the improved ROADS
Is nearly double What II was when the SJp:-
900 OOO expenditure WIS authorized. II lS
a serious question whether the roads as az
present constructed will bear the stress of
modern traffic. In the year 1910 the sum
Of 81 065 ga9 was expended for resurfacing.
repairing and maintaining the roads ALREADY
bulll The engineering expenses OF the
highway commission and the construction
OF the highways have been more than
double the engineering expenses OF some
of the great railroad systems which dur
ing the same period have been engaged IN
large construction works.
Governor and Mrs Dix made the entire
trip between Albany and Syracuse to-day
I'm an a,tohnobile. leaving Albany at
o'clock this morning and arriving here a. 5
O'Clock this afternoon.