The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1915-01-08

achievement had been recorded which
he believed to be unparalleled any
where. Among these accomplishments
he enumerated the primary election
law for the nomination OF state and ma
uona! officers; non-partisan selection
of judicial. legislative, county and city
officers, and the merit system extended
to the Labor Department and expert
service in other departments.
More actual settlers We're attracted
TO Minnesota. he said, than were OBJ
tanned by all the surrounding states
combined, resulting in the increase of
Minnesota farm land values nearly 100
per cent.
Governor Eberhart addressed the leg
iSlature as follows:
Gentlemen of the Senate and House of
Representatives.:
In accordance with the custom estab-
ished In this state, L have the honor
TO communicate to you such informa-
ton and recommendations as seem
appropriate at the close of this adj
mlnistration. Recognizing the fact that
TO the incoming governor belongs the
privilege as well as the responsibility
of communicating such information
and recommendations, L shall follow an
established custom of this state. and in
addressing the Legislature on this oc-
casion shall confine myself largely to
not yet completed.
REORGANIZATION OF State Departments.
Unquestionably the most important
consideration will be the report of the
Efficiency and Economy Commission.
In preparing complete plan for the
reorganization of all state depart
ments and the elimination of numer-
Gus boards and commissions, it is need
less TO remind you that great difficult
ties are necessarily encountered. In
view of that fact a report complete in
its provisions and perfect in every re-
spect is entirely beyond the range of
human possibilities. However, the re-
port of this commission is prepared
after most careful deliberation by
commission composed of many of the
NJ " 10 CT nR
tlon of this commission was a unani-
nous agreement that no member there
of would accept from the. state any
compensation whatsoever for his eX-
penSeS or services That unSeltiSh ac
tion in itself entities the report to
special consideration. 1t is conceded
that while the report necessarily con-
tains defects, no member of the com
mission has had any selfish motives in
the preparation thereof. and all have
acted with the only one important pur-
pose in mind, to place before the leg
islature not only the specific facts in
volved, but also such a complete de-
tailed plan OF reorganization, as in
their Judgment would simplify and
make more efficient all the administra-
tive activities.
The enactment of this important
plan into law is a matter entirely for
YOUR consideration and must be left to
your wis dom and experience, being
,uided wholly by what you believe to
b. for the best interests Of the state.
Ii seems. however. that there can be
the adoption of the three great prin-
ciples recommended i'm this report;
first, reorganization that will pro-
vide centralizing and definite fixing of
responsibility; second. the establish
ment of an effective civil service or
Inerit system; third. budget system
for making appropriations.
Efficiency in business administration
- dependent on the definite fixing of
responsibility and effective .cco-opera-
ton, neither of which is possible under
the present multiplicity of boards, COM
missions and other administrative
agencies. That such reorganization
will encounter serious opposition is
conceded, and you should give this
matter. therefore. the most earnest
consideration. | respectfully recon-
pointed by the presiding officer of each
body to consider this plan, and that at
least month be given to public hear
before these committees meeting in
joint session and be heard. Since the
first part of the session is devoted
largely to organization and prepara-
ton, it would seem best that these two
committees should Immediately proceed
to arrange for these hearings so that
active work in the preparation of the
necessary legislation can be begun be-
fore half of the session is passed.
Merit System In Appointments.
AS to the merit system in appoint
ments. there can be but little serious
objection provided the legislation is
properly safeSuarded. The experience
in the Dairy and Food Department. as
well as the Labor Department, has
been entirely favorable to the merit
system. In all other departments dur
ing my administration, l have endeav-
ored to retain the expert service, ire
spective of political qualifications, and
the results have always been satisfac-
tory. The most valuable political asset
Of an administrative officer does not
consist in the building up of purely
political organization, but in the
achievement of results that appeal to
the good Judgment of the people. I
firmly believe that an extension of the
merit system to all expert service re.
quired by the state will place all it's
business on such basis as will result
in greater efficiency as well as econ
omy.
In order to place before the people
Of this state an intelligent method of
making appropriations complete
statement of resources and necessary
expenditures under what is known as
the budget system Is Indispensable. 1t
should be understood that the budget
Is not merely statement of the need
ed appropriations for the coming bien-
NAL period. 1t is comprehensive
statement of all the resources of the
expenditures and the reasons there
for covering certain period. This
budget should be submitted to the gov.
sion so that he could confer with the
various heads of departments and pre-
thereon to the legislature The present
lcgrolling method is not only entirely
indefenSible but impractical and often
times extravaganza. 1t is a well known
fact that the great majority of the
members of the legislature cannot pos
sibly act intelligently upon the report
lions for approxmateiy oeo
within such short period of time as
is now allotted for the consideration
Of appropriation measures. In addition
thereto the present method gives no
opportunity for the members of the
legislature to consult their constitu-
isa OVID tn hn ~
public funds. The people now demand
an opportunity to be consulted before
appropriations are made and that re-
quest should be granted by the eStab-
lishment of the budget system.
Under orr constitution the governor
has authority to strike out such items
judgment seems best. This enables the
governor to control appropriations only
to a very limited extent because al
the large appropriations for mainte-
nance of institutions are made in one
hulk sum; and the veto of any such
out of existence. If the governor shall
have effective authority over appropria-
tions, he should not only have the
necessary. but also reduce appropria'
tions that in his Judgment are too
governors authority effective
Summary of achievements.
ministrative work in this state, it Is
summary OF the work accomplished
In doing so desire to give credit to al
who have assisted in bringing abou
these results Time will not permi
me to enumerate Them but l have OF
every occasion given credit wher'
credit is due. The five-year period AS
passed records a period of achievement
in this state which / believe is un
paraIleled anywhere Lest we forge
i beg leave to enumerate the following