The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-28

just as important, if not doubly i'm
portant, in the administration of the
affairs of a Commonwealth, the ne
cessity for which is emphasized be-
cause of the establishment by the
General Assembly, from time to time,
of new departments, boards and COM
missions. With this thought in mind,
the Commission has recommended the
consolidation of certain branches of the
State Government, the elimination of
others and the creation of new depart
ments with view to putting State af
fairs on a sound, busness-ike basis"
Recommendations include:
Civil service for all departments of
the State Government.
Retirement of State employees on
half pay who have served 25 years or
who are over 70 years of age and
have served 20 years or more. There
are 3, 152 positions on the State pay
roll and the annual payment is given
as $3,613, ,409.44, being divided as
follows: One thousand one hundred and
sixty eight positions created by statute,
paying $2,000,560; 2,752 by legisla-
tive appropriation, paying $1,162,-
25S.90, and 1882 created by con-
tingent funds, paying $430, 0,590.54.
State Board of Examiners, to take
the place of all boards except medical
bureau; to have authority to call in
! experts and to conduct all examinations
for licenses and for positions under
civil service.
All positions to be created by legisla-
tive enactment, 8 to Office hours for
all departments; uniform accounting
and bookkeeping; semi-monthly pay;
payment through treasury instead of
departments; an Office building in Capt.
tol Park Extension and a branch post
Office and central mailing and address
ing Office in the Capitol. All payments
to institutions to be made monthly in
stead of quarterly is also suggested.
New Date to Elect Governor
Change in the date of the Governor s
election, so that a new administration
and session of the General Assembly
shall not start at the same time; the
| Governor to be relieved of all require
ments for approval of bills and ac-
counts.
Rerouting of State highways, making
State responsible for main trunks and
townships and boroughs for unimpor-
tant roads; appropriations to be made
on basis of estimated revenue.
Reorganization of Department of
Public Instruction by the State Board
of Education with special attention to
vocational education.
Consolidating the Forestry, Fish and
Game Departments into Department
of Conservation, whose forces, with the
State police, would give 500 men con-
stantly on duty.
Comforting on Public Service Commits
sion powers of the Water Supply Com
mission, except supervision of dams,
stream regulation, photographic divi-
sion, pymatuning swamp and water in
ventory projects. The Topographic and
Geological Survey to be completed, but
salaries of officers cut off.
Creation of -,oard of Public Prop
erty, to have charge of all State build
ing projects and purchase of supplies
of all kinds, State and institutional;
the suggestion being made that things
be standardized as much as possible.
Favors More Publicity
Creation Of Department of Publicity
for the exploitation of Pennsylvania IS
greatness, /" the idea being to keep the
people informed of what the State is
doing by "proper and timely informa-
tion," etc.
Creation of State Tax Commission