The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-11-29
THE IOWA LEGISLATURE

/ THE 10
DIES MONIES. Nov. 2S.-A big pro-
gram and an important program is
that mapped out for the 36th general
assembly by the committee on re-
trenchment and reform. Suggestions
are made that will at least cause much
discussion. Proposals are included
that will at once arouse controversy.
Some Of the things proposed will at
once appeal to the people as good and
concerning others there will be mucl
shaking OF heads But one thing is
certain, that the committee has pro-
vided material to 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
resentative Miller. Others on the
committee are Senators Mates, VIII
son and DeWolf: Representatives
Black, Klay, Jacobs, Larrabee. They
are all men who have given much
earnest thought to th.. problem of Sc
curing greater efficiency in public
business.
The central thought Of the report is
simpliacation of the purely business
affairs OF the state to the end Of
greater economy and efficiency.
Some Recommendations.
The recommendations summarized
are as follows:
Legislative reform, reducing size
and number of committees, reduction
Of number OF Legislative employees, &C.
curacy in securing amendments TO
bills, record SO that status Of every
bill may be known at any time.
Governor to make up definite ana
complete budget for state expendi-
lures, showing exact needs Of every
department in comparison with past
expenditures.
All state employees subject to re-
moval by the governor, use of time
clock record for all persons employed
by the state, avoidance of duplication
of labor, reduction in volume of print
ed matter, adoption of any Or all MOI
ern labor and time, saving machinery
and devices, permanent numbers for
automobiles. appointment of general
purchasing agent for the state.
! Division OF work Of state into three
departments, with chief in charge of
each, and grouping work under each
LOT the three departments, known as
the departments Of social progress, III
dustries and public safety.
Appointment rather than election OF
railroad commissioners and shorten
ing OF the ballot wherever possible.
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.
Report to the members of the 36th
general assembly and the public, by
the committee on retrenchment and
reform:
The 35th general assembly having
increased the membership, extended
the powers, and broadened the duties
OF this committee upon retrenchment
and reform, and under the authority
thus granted, efficiency engineers hav-
ing been employed to investigate the
states business methods and suggest
betterment therein, the public should
be advised as to the committees con-
illusions, to the end that by public Dis
cussion and individual consideration,
the course of greatest wisdom may be
pursued.
1t should be understood at the out
set that in recommending changes in
the business affairs Of the state, crtti-
cism OF men responsible for the con-
ditions sought to be altered, is not
intended. Progress invites abandon
ment of many things most efficient III
the days when mans limit Of advance
rnant was spelled by the thing aban-
doned. We forsake the less efficient
for the thing of greatest efficiency and
thus and thus only may advancement
be made.
This committee has through its full
membership and by subcommittee. ex-
pended much time in earnest effort to
understandingly formulate sugges-
tive program of reform in the states
businessmen radical-not unreason-
able; but just such changes as would
in the committees judgment, be made
by any great business concern under
like conditions seeking full return for
its outlay Of time and wealth. The
states expenditures have very greatly
increased in recent years and there
will be still further increase unless
systematized progressive administra-
tive methods be adopted.
Iowa has unbounded resources but
she cannot 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