Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-02-20


ume we have from time TO time created
departments or boards for the purpose
| of relieving the governor and obtain
(, ing a control which would be closer
! to and more actively interested in that
I particular department. Where We
( failed. however. was IN the fact that in
creating these boards we failed TO pre-.
serve in some central power a general
! supervision which would view these
various departments or boards as de-
| tails Of the management Of q state,
and having in mind the interests OF the
! state as whole rather than the in
teresJS of any particular department.
Must Have Authority.
/ And the governor must be the bus
mess manager of the state. otherwise
we have none; this being admitted,
/ then ii follows as . matter of course
! that In order TO be q successful! BUSH
: ness manager he must have the an
thoTity that goes with that position
! We have In history repeated illustra
tions Of the fact that hes.tancy and
failure OF decision are more destrUc-
i've than wrong decision: and this IS
q sufficient answer to those who argue
against our proposed reforms by say
ing thar the man we elected 10 the
IgoverrCrship might not rise 10 the
situation. Any Kind 81 definite man
agenlent Is better Than 10 manage
menl, and that is Ihe trouble with Is
today We have no definite and com
prehenslve managenent
BY com reEenslVe mana cement we
mean such management as Will con
slider the needs Of each depar.me en-.
not only in The light Of is own situa-
ton and demands, buj also IL The leat
oS Ihe demands AND needs ~ every
other depart IElent Of the state.
AS 70 Approximations
The cons i1era ION of appropriation
by The legislature = AZ THIS time x
! NEG essity local to each department. or
each board as il presents lis needs.
We hope 70 obtain for each department
3 consideration Of It's needs una =
such sircun9s stances as VIII enable NJ
leg islature 10 see NOT only he particli-
lar Department in question - . Unit,
au- 70 see il rs relation % al me
other department, Of The state II
This Way only can tbs money @. the
people &e - expended IS 70 give fair
consideration and supporl 10 each and
every interest in the state
TIE committee has paid some al
-antior O me matter q economy in the
legislative and judicial departments O:
the government bu, feeling that The
greatest possibilities for good lay in
the reformation Of the executive or a1-
r2inis-re i've department, we have
thought best 10 limit or efforts a. this
time 70 tina; one field No ails there
fore are presented except such as a2-
ply 10 this department.
Favors Merit System.
We feel Thar the people as a whole
are strongly in favor Of what is called
the merit system IN he matter az
appointments 10 he public service.
The committee has attempted 70 ac-
coul7iish much along chis line by gen
e-al provisions as % nom partisan
Cnoc bipartisan appointments. re-
.sloval for cause and Prohibiting poli--
cal activity by employees Of the state.
Going further than this would mean
the establishment u another depart
-nar- Of government and We have
thought best 70 leave that for future
legislatures 20 work out after having
had opportunity 10 see what results
our present suggestions may have &C
I complished."
! One bill presented provides for es-
! tablisnner3t Of Three departments. So
! cial progress. industries and public
/ safety, with superintendent for each.
,hese with the governor 70 form a
+ board % take over the duties Of the
( executive council the depa-tm IS
and bureaus 10. re grouped under these
departments and the governor to sub
NIT z budge- for all appropriations for
each department.
I The removal Of the geological de-
I rartrert Is not 70 cause any change
in that bureau The plan for paroles
! Is 10 have the secretary Of the parole
! board BECOME head Of bureau with
+ the control board and DO the work.
/ Bills looking 20 making all officials aD-
! pintive except the governor and lieu
tenant governor who alone viii ne
elected cover that ground fully.
4 Amendments 70 the constitution viii he
necessary in some cases.
4 bill is presented which gives 20
the governor the power Of removal -
7 any appointive official for cause after
hearing such as ne may deem advis-
able. There is q prohibition o: polit-
Z officials or employees Of the state, solic-
ting funds or contributing for cam
pa IN work. and forbidding any solicit
ing from them.
A change IS made IN the biennial f7s-
I cal term 50 that it viii comm ence with
the calendar year. Automobile nun :
hers are TO be permanent but fees
-fr,ra a.