The Detroit times., 1911-01-20
LEE FOR FEWER
SENATE employees
Detroit Democratic Member Stands
With Governor for Economy in
State Government.
(From a STAFF correspo ondent.)

NFToTn oIdH SOTTeSponoent.)
LANSING. Mich. Jan. 20.-Senator
Zee OF the Fourth Wayne district
showed his willingness to cooperate
with the governor on general re
forms, yesterday, by. introducing a
resolution before the receipt OF the
governors message, calling for the
appointment OF special committee
of five to ascertain what senate em
ployes could be dispensed with. The
resolution was referred to the commit
tee on state affairs. The governor
message was as follows:
To the Senate OF the Forty sixth
Legislature:
Ii is the declared policy OF the
present administration to endeav-
or to effect a retrenchment In the
expenses OF state government
where the result will not De les
sened efficiency. Unnecessary
expenditures must be avoided II
We are TO have the reasonable
means to meet the many ana
growing needs Of the state. In
the line OF my duty, ! desire 10
call your attention 10 the fact
that custom has developed an cx-
traVakance in senate employees,
which believe should be correct
ed. The number has been in the
past, and Is 1t the present time
far in excess OF actual or reason
able requirements. You are, there
fore, earnestly and respectfully
= requested to reduce the number
OF employees 20 an extent com
mensurate with the real needs
of the senate in the discharge or
its duties.
The number of senate employees
in 1901 was As; in 1905, 49; in
1907, 62; special session, 1907,
80; In 1909, 81. The number or
employees for this session engaged
OF the present Is Sc | am In
formed that the work OF the SEN
ate can be efficiently performed
by % assistants III their several
capacities, without the least
danger OF hamperinG you in the
performance of your duties.
In Massachusetts the senate Is
= composed Of 40 members. | am
informed that the number OF en-
ployes at the last session OF the
Massachusetts senate was l6. The
house OF representatives OF the
forty.sixth legislature with men,
bership Of 100, il served by q To-
tai number of 40 employees.
The senate with q Membership
OF 80, has at present Sc employees.
I do not desire to embarrass your
DISTINGUISHED body in any manner
and / have given you equal credit
with all other officers OF the state
Cor the possession Of desire to
serve with business efficiency and
actual economy.
May | request your earnest and
impersonal consideration OF this
communication?
CHASE s. OSBORN,
Governor.
The message also was referred TO
the committee on state affairs. 1t IS
likely that some retrenchmept Will
be made, although senators who nave
secured positions for friends are nat
ufally opposed to cutting on those
particular Jobs.
Along the line Of employees, Sena-
tor F. d. Scott. Of AlpenI, intro
duced resolution providing that all
senate employees under the age OF 10
wears. be dismissed. The resolution
stated that it was not consistent with
the child labor laws OF the state 70
employ child:ne. Scott asked that
the matter be held in abeyance until
Senator Collins returned from leave
OF absence, as Collins has a son VINO
is a page. :,
SCOTS resolution was followed by
one by Senator Cartier, that com
mittee composed Of one member OF
the senate and one OF the house ue
,.ppointed to consider the question ol
engaging as pages of both houses
hovs from the state industrial school,
Both resolutions were referred TO the
committee on state affairs.
SANFORD.
MRSsEN = ER-MArN ar CiFf-