The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-07-06
Discusses at Length Various Methods of EconOmizing in Administration of
 States Affairs
NEEDS OF THE STATE AND HOW THEY CAN BE MET BY LEGISLATURE
Suggests Abolition of Various State Offices, Number of Courts, De- crease of Salaried Officials and Redistricting of
 the State
Ry L. $. BETTY


 Montgomery, July 5.-tSpeeial )--ways and means of saving the state several Hundred thousand dollars annually, as we'll methods looking to a more bus- ness-like and efficient management of governmental affairs are outlined in a carefully prepared article by Frank N. Julian. former secretary of state and present associate member of the state railroad commission.
 MT. Julian discusses at length various methods of economizing in the adminis- tration of the states affairs He sug- sests the abolition of various state of hces the abolition of number of courts in the state, the decrease of salaried officials and the redistricting of the state.
 MT. Julian further discusses the needs pf the state and how those needs may De met by the next legislature. He de- clares that if the members are patriotic they can accomplish much good, but that II Will take the truest type of patriotism 10 put the necessary reform into effect. roiiowing is MT. Julians statement.
 Julians Statement
 Retrenchment. Reform. Back to economy! Will there be patriots in the legislature of 1915?
 lhese questions are uppermost in the minds of the people now that the elections are past and the statesmen have been named
 Much has been written recently con- cerning the attitude of the members or the legislature towards the ineorn itg chief executive and speculation has bleen fndulged in as to whether or not tpe Legislature will play at cross pur- poses With the executive department The issues in the various counties were practically the same, with the ex- \ co7tlon of the three large counties E where prohibition and local option were Il the paramount issues It follows therefore, that retrenchment and level headed business policies will be the most important questions before the f Ieeisiature, and in considering these questions 1t is safe to assume that the first consideration will be the states S finances and naturally the subject of 1 taxation. On these most important ! questions there can be no differences between the legislative and executive l partments-1merely q difference of N opinion as td ways and means This |l3 question is one that will require the + best business acumen available and the legislature should give heed to the rec pmmendations of the governor \ Tt is no secret that the state is in
 
 Val condition of the state has been Exaggerated by political partisans 1t , 1,annot be disputed that present rey- fenue is not adequate to the demands Patriots of the highest type will be Fequired to bring about the desired condition for when 1t is suggested that hny court or office be abolished the Sofficial holding the office will call to q his aid friends who will Immediately IN gflood the legislature with argument Hand reasons why the particular office | Is needed by the pee-pul.'
 "Another question Of importance will be the separation of certain offices and 1 departments and creating in lieu there Of compact working departments that will secure for the state what is due LNfn the matter of revenue and at the Nsame time give an administration of the affairs that will produce the high- 1 est degree of efficiency and protec- tion.
 "The most important questions to be col. .sidered, therefore, are the saving to the state and better business methods by reason of: First, the abolishment of useless offices: second arrange ment. consolidation or separation of de. paftments: third. the abolishment of needless clerical and minor positions fourth, the revenue laws: fifth rail- road and public utility laws: sixth. primary election laws seventh, rev enue from liquor licenses: eighth, sav- ings to counties by abolishment of fee system: ninth. educa tional appropria tions and the normal and agricultural schools: tenth. convict department; 'esleventh redistricting the state twelfth miscellaneous subjects
 Will There be Patriots?
 ..The first subject will try the pat- riotism of the members of the legisla- ture for 1t is a foregone conclusion that certain offices and positions must be abolished. Taking the cost of the courts to the state. the first real work of retrenchment will be started in the judicial department It has been said that Alabama maintains more courts than does England. This. however, may lbe exaggerated. In actual money it Akes approximately $500, 900 per an m to run this branch of the gov Nnment and this figure does not in- k.iude cost to litigants. but is for sal Cries.
 Steven supreme court judges salaries total $35 00O IT circuit and one super numerary judge draw a total of s55.- 600 per year: five chancellors cost an- nually In salaries $1s.000. six law and equity court judges, s12.250 per an- mum: 1G city court judges with salaries of $46,350: IS solicitors take down $Ss.- 500 per annum; three Judges of the court of appeals draw each $5000, to- tai $15.000 per year. The total as above enumerated is $222, 400 and when added to this the expense of clerks, secretar- les. stenogra phers, etc. the cost per annum will be about $300,000 per an mum.
 "The official pruning knife is ex- pected to get in it's work by rearrang- ing the circuits. making in all not ex- : ceeding "A and by abolishing every law and equity court or special court hy whatever name called and requiring more strenuous work on the part of thA circuit judges. .s.S.i
 "The court of appeals will have a hard fieht for existence and; if would he no surprise to see this court abol- fshad.
 ..Whether the circuits can he reduced h number without constitutional
 lcsntinssa sn Pase Thsss)s