The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1914-09-15
W. E. LEE DEFINES
COMPAIGN ISSUES
Pledges Business Mans Administra-
ton of Efficiency Without Extrav-
agance-Urges County Option.
EFFICIENCY BOARD IS PRAISED
Would Danish Brewery Control and
Declares for Lower Tax, Home
Rule and Public Utilities.

Marshall Minn., September 14th.-
VIM. E. Lee, Republican candidate for
Governor delivered his keynote speech
In this city tonight. More than two
thousand enthusiastic followers of the
candidate packed the local auditorium
to the last seat and hundreds remained
standing that they might hear Mr.. Lee
discuss the issues of the campaign and
define the principles upon which he
stood. ..
The address was along constructive
lines and every sentence a part of a
story that told of better governed, a
more opulent and more progressive
Minnesota. Mr.. Lee came out square
ly and unequivocally for the passage
of county option bill and the end of
brewery control in the state. In prom
1slng business administration the
candidate endorsed the work of the
efflclency commission, declaring that
parsimony was undesirable and that
extravaganza must end. Mr. Lee
pledged himself to work for a lower
tax rate; home rule of public utilities;
conservation Of the States natural re-
sources, good roads and small town de-
velopment. He praised the States
school system, declared for free and
open markets and the rigid enforce=
ment of the States law. Mr.. Lee said:
In this, my opening speech in this
campaign, l can say little that is new.
The issues are clear and definite, and
my position upon them is well known.
The issues enunciated by me nearly
three years ago are the issues today,
and will be the issues upon which the
result Of this campaign must be deter
mined.
There are numerous matters of i'm
portance which need attention, but
which of themselves will make but
small advance unless settled in con-
junction with other and greater prob
lens. Three momentous questions are
demanding solution. They are e:zs.----.-A
CD The reorganization Of the admin
lstrative departments of the state gov
ernment along modern business. lines
30 as to secure efficiency without ex-
travagance.
(2) Securing to the people their in
herent right to determine the laws un-
der which they prefer to live, and pro-
viding the machinery to enable them
to do so.
(3) Protecting the people and the
law making body from the demoraliz-
ing effect of the "brewery in politics."
to the end that men and measures
may be considered upon their merits,
Endorses Efficiency Commission.
My declaration in 1912 that Mime
sofa had complicated and antiquated
governmental organization and that
there was imperative need of a CON-
plete overhauling and reorganization
OF the administrative machinery of the
state government, at first discredited.
was developed to point where public
opinion demanded some action; and as
result, a Commission was created
which has taken up the whole ques-
ton of reorganization. It's preliminary
report shows beyond any question that
my contention was right and the alarm
was sounded none too soon.
sion commands respect for it's work.
They have been and are working dill
gently on the problem, and will pre-
pare bills providing for a complete re-
organization OF the administrative de-
partments of our state government,
which bills will be among the most i'm
portant measures to come before the
next legislature. In it's preliminary re-
port the Commission recommends
consolidation and unification of the
now unrelated boards and administra-
tive offices under responsible depart
ments that will be related to each
other and can efficiently and economic
ally carry on the business affairs of
our state. The budget and an effective
civil service system are also included.
All this is in accord with what I have
advocated for years, and I shall urge
Its adoption by the legislature.
Business Administration Needed.
What the condition of Minnesota
needs and the people of the state de-
mand, is reforms without frills and gov
ernment without red tape-just plain
business organization such as you will
find in any successful private under.
taking. I will ask no man to work
harder nor longer hours than do my
self, but will guarantee there will be
no one on the payroll who is not earn
Ing his salary.
One of the sources that has contrib
uted to the pernicious system of legis-
lative trading and log rolling is the
multitude of lobbyists who swarm
about the state capitol during every
session Of the legislature. It will be
my purpose to put forth every effort
to assist the legislature of Kidding it.
self of this incumbranoe.
Parsimony Undesirable.
Economy must come chiefly by care.
full consideration of appropriation re-
quests, and shall urge the legislature
that the general appropriation bills
be reported out Of the committee earl
in the session, SO that they may stand
on general orders" long enough to
enable the public, as well as every
member OF the legislature. TO become
Continued on last page.)
Let want ad help you.