Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-11-13
to Times-R Republican.

Special to Times Republican.
Des Moines. Nov ia big program
and an important program is that
mapped out for the thirty'sixth gem
eral assembly by the committee on re-
trenchment and reform. Suggestions
are made that will at least cause much
discussion. Proposals are included
that will q. once arouse controversy
Some of the things proposed will at
once appeal to the people as good and
concerning others there will be much
shaking Of heads. But one thing is
certain. that the committee has pro-
vided material 10 keep the budding
statesmen very busy during the three
months they have TO plan what they
may do for the good Of the state.
The committee Is nonpartisan
committee. Three members will be
conspicuous in the next legislature
Senator Francis, Senator Allen, Rep
reeentative Miller. Others on the COM
mittee are Senators Mates. Wilson and
Dewolf; Representatives Black, Klay,
Jacobs, Larrabee. They are all men
who have given much earnest thought
to the problem of securing greater eff
cheney in public business.
Simpiification Central Thought.
The central thought of the report is
eimpliflcation of purely business af-
fairs of the state to the end of greater
economy and efficiency.
Nj lat -
are as follows:
Legislative reform, reducing size
and number Of committees. reduction
Of number Of legislative employees, ac-
cugacy IN securing amendments to bills.
record 80 that status Of every bill may
be known at any time
Governor to make up definite and
complete budget for state expenditures,
showing exact needs of every depart
ment In comparison with past expendi-
lures.
All state employees subject TO re-
moval by the governor. use Of time
clock record for all persons employed
by tho state, avoidance Of duplication
Of labor, reduction in volume Of printed
matter. adoption Of any or all modern
labor ana time saving machinery and
devices. permanent numbers for auto
mobiles, appointment Of general pur-
chasing agent for the state.
Division Of work Of state into three
departments. with chief in charge OF
each, and grouping work under each
Of the three departments, known as
the departments Of social progress, IN
dustries and public safety.
Appointment rather than election or
railroad commissioners and shortening
of the ballot wherever possible.
The Supplement Report
The committee intends to supple
ment this report with full statement
of the matters presented and the rea-
sons therefor. The report is to be
printed and distributed at once. The
report follows:
The Thirty-ffth general assembly
having increased the membership. ex-
tended the powers and broadened the
duties Of this committee upon re-
trenchment and reform, and under the
authority thus granted. efficiency engi-
neers having been employed to inves-
tigate the states business methods
and suggest betterment therein, the
public should be advised as to the
committees conclusions, to the end
that by public discussion and indivtd-
ual consideration, the course Of great
est wisdom may be pursued
It would be understood ut the out
set that in recommending changes in
the business affairs Of the state, criti-
cism Of men responsible for the condi-
tons sought to be altered, Is not in
tended. Progress invites abandonment
Of many things most efficient in the
days when mans limit OF advancement
was spelled by the thing abandoned.
We forsake the less efficient for the
thing of greatest efficiency and thus
and thus only may Advancement be
made.
This committee has thru It's full
membership and by subcommittee. ex-
pended much time In earnest effort to
understandingly formulate a sugges-
tive program Of reform In the states
businessmen radical-not unreasona-
BILE; but just such changes as would
In the committees Judgment, be made
by any great business concern under
like condition seeking full return for
it's outlay Of time and wealth The
states expenditures have very greatly
increased in recent years and there
will be still further increase unless
syst-Iaatti1ei progressive administra-
tive methods be adopted.
Iowa has unbounded resources but
she can not afford to expend one dol
lar Of the peoples money without Sc
curing for her people full return. nor
can Iowa afford to continue unbusi-
ness like or wasteful methods where
better results may be secured with less
cost by intelligent change in policy.
Consideration Invited.
int the hope, therefore, chat the sug-
geotions here briefly made may point
the way to better results at less cos,
to the public. We invite careful, un-
preiudieed and thoughtful considera-
ton Of this preliminary statement
promising later, aided by further study
and guided by Intelligent criticism, t
submit for legislative and public con
slderation, more formal and complet,
f1poSt.
EAe state 10 expending many millionl
annualiy in maintaining is great in.
tsrests. The responsibility Of gov.
efning over two million people il no
small and 1t costs much more in e.