The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1915-01-16


session, a plan OF reorganization
which shall abolish needless offices,
boards and commissions, concentrate
and center responsibilities, eliminate
duplication of authority and reduce
the public business to a compact and
notwithstanding unit. This legis-
lature has many members with wide
experience in public affairs am con-
vinced they can devise a plan in keep
ing with modern business systems,
which ultimately viii not only save
money for the taxpayers OF the state,
but will greatly increase and strength
en- the efficiency OF our government,
bring men Of highest grade and great
est ability into the public service and
relieve the public of the annoyance,
expense and delay of unnecessary leu
tape.
The committee should have the
power to call to its aid such expert
advice as it may require, and should
invite the suggestions Of business men
and other citizens.
Combine or Abolish Boards.
I have no wish to define the scope
Of this committees work, but I do
desire to suggest that in nv opinion
the consolidating of many state
boards, commissions and ofnces can
be effected with improvement rather
than detriment to the public business.
The state inspection system should
be oVerhauIed thoroughly Recently,
the state auditor learned that six diff
ferent state inspectors had been in the
same little town on the same day, do
ing work that one inspector probably
could have done equally we'll.
The state board of irrigation should
be Immediately abolished. 1t is an alb
solute waste Of the states money to
continue its existence. The work can
easily be done by the present star Of
the Agricultural college.
The judicial districts of the state
may be reduced greatly in number
without impairing the service Of the
courts or increasing the laws delay.
The board of correction can be
abolished and its duties performed by
the board Of control.
The Offices of hotel commissioner,
two members of the state barber
board, and oil inspector can all be
abolished and their work done by ex-
listing employees in other departments.
Several state offices, the duties of
which are purely administrative or
clerical, such as the superintendent of
insurance, state printer, superintend-
ent of public institution, and possibly
others, should, I believe, be made ap-
pOintive instead of elective, in the in
terest Of concentrating responsibility.
County government can be simpli-
fed greatly by recognizing and con-
solidating some Of the Offices, making
others appointive and reducing sal
aries in keeping with the salaries paid
by private business for the perform
ance of similar duties.
l do not consider a constitutional
convention necessary to accomplish
these reforms. Most of these changes
can be made under our present con-
stitution; where they cannot, an
amendment should be submitted to
the people reducing the number of
elective state Offices and providing for
four-year terms with the power of re-
call at any time.
State and County Merit System.
Any plan of administration which
contemplates a concentrating of re-
sponsibility is open to the dangers
which follow the creation Of a bu-
reaucracy But these dangers may be
avoided by Strengthening the merit
system and extending it to all
branches of state and county govern
ment. We now have a civil service
law applying to few state institu-
lions; but the weakness of this law is
apparent when we see how recklessly
it has been disregarded and violated.
We will never attain an efficient nor
economic government until Offices,
large and small, are removed from the
hands Of spoilsmen. 1 urge the enact
ing of civil service law so explicit
and so strong that no partisan Off
cta1 will dare evade it, basing all re-
wards, promotion and salaries solely
on merit, on loyalty and industry in
the public service.
Public Welfare.
The conservation of human life and
human resources is every year assum-
ing larger and larger place in Amer
lean ideals of government. We are
realizing that human life is the chief
asset of the state; and we are using
our governmental machinery more
and more not only to maintain but
also to increase and better the condi-
lions of life and health and the social
wellbeing of the people. We have
learned already that if We are to per
petuate the state, we must not only
produce citizens, but good citizens
men and women Of sound bodies, clear
| slider as fundamental economic func-
tions Of the state, many duties that
were left a generation ago to chance.
And this change in our attitude to-
ward the life and health of the iRdi-
vidual is not sentimental nor entirely
/ humanitarian in its source; it is based
| on the sOundest economic principles.
No question which will come before
| you can be of more vital or far-reach-
! ing import than those problems which
we have come to group under the gen
eraI head of public welfare. 1t is our
duty to see that our future citizens
are well-born; that they are properly
nourished and are reared in that en-
/ vironment most likely to develop in
them their full capacity and powers
| 1t is our duty to them, from motives
of humanity, to give them a chance
in life;'' it is our duty to the state
from an economic motive, to develop
them into good and useful citizens
for the state.
Needed Welfare Measures.
To promote a higher type of citizen
ship, to insure to every child born in
Kansas a record Of birth, an equal
share in the paternal care of the gov
eminent and a recognition of its