Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-01-30


of purchase, propagation, and distribu-
ton OF game birds than all other
states combined.
State Architect.
Referring to the State Architects
Department the Governor gives the
name OF each building erected, the con-
tractor who did the work, and the
amount paid for doing it during his
administration and states that the i'm
mense amount OF work done was &C
complished without any serious &C
cidents and carried on with practically
no friction with labor unions OF sim
liar organizations. He states that
this offers a remarkable and crafty
ing contrast with the experience with
the building world in general. The
amount expended was approximately
ten million dollars.
State Historical Library.
Referring to the Illinois State His
torical Library the Governor gives a
tentative list of volumes to be pub
lished in the Illinois State Historical
collections which is divided into the
chronological series, the French series.
the British series, the Virginia series,
the statistical series, executive series,
Judicial series, documentary series,
political series, Lincoln series, eco
nom1c series, military series, eccle-
| siastical series, educational series, set
Element series. 1t is a striking re-
( sumo OF the activities of the State in
3 ;rf@
Laws for Social Betterment.
! In discussing this subject, the Gov
ernor refers to the laws which have
been passed during his administration
relating TO: /, Child Labor; 2, EN-
ployment Of Women; 8, The Health,
| Comfort.and Safety Machine; 4, The
/ Hazardous and Dangerous Machinery
Act; 5, The Safety Appliance Act; 6,
| The Structural Iron Workers Act;
J, Revision OF the Mining Laws; 8,
! Occupationsl Diseases Act; 9, Voca-
tional Training and Education Act;
! TO- Workmen's Compensation Act;
II, Sweatshop Act; II, The Creation
OF Free Employment Agencies.
The message states that Illinois has
taken an advanced position in all
these matters and is fully abreast of
the times and conditions in dealing
with the lNoblems of our new indus
trial development. These laws have
stood the test of experience because
for the most part they have passed
after careful investigation by commits
sions appointed for that purpose.
That these commissions represent all
interests concerned in their investiga-
tons and that their work has avoided
the theories of those who are not IA
miliar with the practical conditions
confronting industry.
The messages recommend: that the
policy be pursued in the future of hav-
ing the different interests in business
and industry meet and adjust their diff
hCulties in so far as such adjustment
! is possible between them. The Gov
ernor comments on the fact that the
businesses which have been affected
by these laws have not been disturbed
and little friction has occurred therein
during his administration by reason
of the friendly relations which have
been created and maintained by tht
joint study of conditions affecting in,
dustries placed under the supervision
or regulation by the state.
Recommendations.
The Governor recommends the ap
pointment of a commission composed
of state officials and representative
of the University of Illinois to inves
n1, he -
existing Boards and Commission
I whose duties overlap or are so sim
liar as TO permit of unifcation ant
reduction in number while improving
their methods and the economy O
their administration.
: Amendments to the Constitution.
Regarding the amendments to tn
constitution the Governor states tina
: the Democratic platform endorse
, four amendments to the constitution
n the Progressive party nine, and til
. Republican party one, that is, tn
amending Of the amending clause O
n the constitution. He calls attention
, TO the fact that amendments hereto
fore have failed because those favor
ing amendments could not agree upo
5 the order OF precedence and suggest
n that if no such amendment is had i
t. this session there should be an amend
: ment OF the amending clause OF tn
: constitution.
81 Regarding a constitutional CONVEX
IS ton, the Governor recommends tn
S appointment of commission to max
e a survey OF each unit OF the Stat
r government and each branch of tn
r, State service and that Its repo.
IS should give a complete history of tn
condition, laws, and administration {
each unit of our government an
branch OF the public service, that
= should show the relation of each un
= of government 20 others of like kin
E and should point out overlapping an
- conflicting Jurisdictions and serviC
n and make recommendations where
, administration can be simplifed an
:, made more economical. The repo
= OF the commission should also poll
- out how similar conditions in Law
= and administration have been M
:. and improved in other states ar
). countries and should make sue
recpnmenda ttoua aiopu Inaa 80 -