The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1915-02-11
TAKE RULE FROM THE PEOPLE
Cost of Maintaining Boards and Bur
eaus Many Times the Cost of Hand
ling Work Under Old Form of Hay
ing Single Official in Charge,

\
for 1914 is the best evidence the legis-
lature can consult as to the state ex-
penses and the way in which they have
increased. The report will also give an
idea as to the number of employees Wis
consin has and the salary paid.
In developing the Wisconsin system,
the report tells the story of the cost of
government. The office of governor,
secretary of state, state treasurer, at
torney general and superintendent of
public instruction are under constitu-
tioal authorization. Up to four years
ago the Office of insurance commissioner
was included in this list.
All other activities of the state are
carried on through boards, bureaus and
commissions, the heads of which are APP
pointed by the governor, or are consti-
tuted by other heads of boards, bu-
reaus and commissions. Some of the
terms of office are six years and in the
changes Of politics the appointees have
no responsibility to the governor who
appoints, for their terms of Office con
tinue while changes are made in the Of
| fee Of governor.
AS was determined in the Ekern case,
under decision of our supreme court,
the removal Of commissioner or even
of an ordinary official is next to impos-
sible during the term Of appointment
This is the Wisconsin system as to the
heads Of state activities through board,
bureau and commission agencies.
While the people reserve the power of
electing or defeating four of the state
officers at every two-year election, most
of the men who are responsible for Gre
ating the Wisconsin brand of govern
ment for over fifteen years, hold their
offices for six-year terms.
Fill Peoples Wish. saa-ue
If in the establishment Of as much ex-
perimental legislation as has been in
ficted on Wisconsin during a decade
or more, it has been demonstrated that
no mistakes have been made and that
! benefits have resulted from the many
state activities administered by the
commission form of government, the
clinching down of this system, good,
bad and indifferent, might be welcomed.
| 1t it is the policy of common sense
government and of common sense peo-
pie, always to reserve the right and
power to demand the government shall
reflect what the people want, then
changes in our present system must be
made.
AS applied to present conditions, the
situation is simply this: Gov. Philip
comes into office pledged to the people
to bring about certain changes in state
administration.
| The people voted for this change. AS
governing the policies which can or do
affect the cost or service Of the commits.
sions, he has no more voice than the
most humble citizen in Wisconsin, I'M
less he controls the appointment of
those officials who make the policies
and shape the cost.
Here and there in the big list there
have been and will be vacancies which
Gov. Philip will fill with his own Sc
lections, supposedly appointees who will
act in harmony with him. =.
Not in Control.
Many of the commissions for fifteen
years have been operating along lines
which the governor criticises. He can
continue his criticisms and object to the
cost, but the policy of their administra-
ton is clearly not in his control. The
legislature and the supreme court have
hemmed in the one official directly re-
sponsible to the people for results.
AS one even casually inspects the
states salary list in connection with
those agencies created under the board,
bureau and commission form, job hold
ing bigness of the whole plan is made
more plain. With it must come view
of the fact that the legislature must
and should devise some plan which linn
it's the hiring of clerks and the expend-
| iture of money. The railroad commits
sion in 1914, in salaries and expenses,
printing, ETC., cost over 100000. This
SUM IOI OuO VI bLC SldGC 3 dCGIR1LlcS.
alone, exceeds by many thousands of
dollars the total administrative cost of
every elective Office few years ago.
Without question the railroad commits
sion is one Of the useful and necessary
agencies Of Wisconsin government, but
the question is, can not some of its
| functions and work be dispensed with
so that the cost will be less. In build
ing up the system, duties have been
thrust upon the commission which
transform it's usefulness and constantly
increase the cost of its operation.
The Wisconsin state tax commission,
in 1914, in salaries and expenses cost
$178,712. This is one of the first COM
missions instituted, and while originally
it was never intended to give it the
broad powers it now possesses, and in
fact it was intended solely to bring the