New-York tribune., 1913-12-29
ANXIOUS ONES SEE
FIELDER WHET AXE
Lean Kline Vision Appears
TO Commissioners in
Jersey State.

From a ssar Correspondent ~ The Tribune,
Trenton. " j.. Dec. 2s-Nearly two
hundred members and employees OF state
commissions are BnIiously awaiting the
inaugural address Of Governor-clect
James F. Fielder The cause OF their
anxiety Is certain recommendations which
he is being urged TO make 10 the Legs
lature which will result. n carried out
in greatly reduced population around
the State House. or course. there are
interested as well. but their interest isn't
any greater than that OF those VINO Al
ready hold the places.
Mr. Fielder is being urged TO back up
the work OF the Efficiency and Economy
Commission by coming right out in his In
augursl address and asking the Legislat-
ure 10 carry out it's recommendations.
Although this commission has made no
report public az yet. enough ia known OF
its work 10 say that II It's suggestions for
efficiency and economy are carried out ell
OF the present commissioners will be
wiped out. their places being taken by
single commissioner.
Not alone that. but about one-hah ot
tho state commissions now cxtant VIII
lose their identity completely. for the FL
fic!ency Commission has found consider
able duplication and overlapping OF work,
and will recommend the consolidation OF
the departments when this useless eh-
penditure OF the states money has been
found.
The purposed recommendations OF the
commission for a reorganization OF the
government OF the state, II carried out
will bring about big decrease in the
number Of clerks and ttenographers. az
well as the heads OF many Of the depart
ments.
As the Efficiency Commission is nom
partisan IN It's makeup. its recOmmen-
datons will put the Democrats on their
mettle. for during Mr.. Fielder's term the
members OF that party Will, for the first
time in twenty years. come into com
plete control Of every department In New
Jersey.
Mr.. Fielder is the Democratic leader OF
New Jersey. No one. with the exception
perhaps Of Jim Smith or Jim" Nu-
gent, doubts that When he becomes
Governor he will have his first real op-
portunity Of making that leadership felt
by demanding that the programme Of re-
on state affairs will come in his inaugu-
raj address.
Those who know Mr. Fielder well
haven't the least hesitancy in saying that
he will leave no doubt as TO where he
stands
Furthermore. Mr.. Fielder has an
nOunced that he has no further ambi-
tons in the political line; that he intends
TO serve his term as Governor. and then
take up his law practice again.
State Controller Edwards has been at
work on a plan Of increasing the auto
mobile license fees TO 81 d horsepower.
which, it is estimated, would bring the
revenue from this source up 20 about
100000 q year. At present something
like $GOO,y0 a year is derived from this
source.
That any effort at efficiency and econ
omy will have the hearty support Of the
Republicans in the Legislature goes with
out saying.
If Assembly1uan Walter McDermott had
not heckled President Wilson in Jersey
City one afternoon last April he would
have been the Democratic leader OF the
Assembly next year As 1t Is, he almost
landed the place, but along came Joseph
/. Tumulty. the Presidents secretary, with
the information that he would not stand
Tor McDermott, and, as II 10 further en-
phaslze the fact that he is just as fond OF
New Jersey politics as ever. Joe" sent
word that he wanted Assemblyman Joseph
Branegan selected as the Democratic floor
leader. and Branegan was selected