Rocky Ford enterprise., 1915-03-26
SPECIAL MESSAGE.
GOVERNOR CARLSON PRAISES
ASSEMBLY FOR ACTION IN
ROWLAND PROBE.
Urges Greater Economy; Pleads for
Elimination OF All Useless Boards
and Asks Prompt Action on
Legislation Now Pending.
Western Newspaper Union News Service.

Western Newspaper Union News Service.
Denver.-In his first special mes
sage to the Twentieth General AS
sembly, Governor Carlson March 10th
commended the membership of the
House of Representatives for the man
ner in which it and its special COM
mittee have conducted the investiga-
tion in the Rowland currency pack
age" transaction Of February o.
Governor Carlson read the message
in person to joint session of the
two branches Of the Assembly in the
House chamber.
The governor pledged the co-opera-
tion of all executive departments with
the house in clearing up the scandal.
IF there be. in addition to perjury.
| actual bribery, let US all together, by
| every condemnation and mete punish
ment, mark its end forever in the his
tory of the Colorado Legislature" he
said.
The Howland matter. however, he
declared, should not distract the at
tention of the Legislature from act
ing on the pressing problems of state
government.
In calling the Assembly to take ac-
tion upon pending legislation which,
in his opinion will make for greater
economy and efficiency in government
and generally benefit conditions
throughout the state, Governor Carl
son discussed the proposed constitu-
tional amendments to the initiative
and referendum. the half-mill levy of
the State Board of Capitol Managers,
the elimination of public trustees and
deputy game wardens, the proposed
survey of the state government and
the adoption of the so-called short bal
lot system in Colorado.
| Notwithstanding the action of the
Senate in killing the bill for the aboli-
ton of the Board of Capitol Man
| ayers, the governor believes the same
end can be accomplished by abolish
ing the half-mill levy, which for more
than twenty years has been the source
Of revenue expended by that body and
which has been responsible largely
for its existence. AS chairman of the
board he urged the Legislature to
psas the bill abolishing the half-mill
levy.
One bill to increase the percentage
of names required for the initiation
and reference of measures was killed
on third reading in the House Mon
day. The governor, however, urged
the Legislature to pass the remaining
bills to bring about practically the
same end, II adopted by the people
when submitted at the next general
election. He took a firm stand In
asking for the elimination of public
trustees and the abolition of the stat
utory offices of deputy game commits.
sioners.
House Bill 591 and Senate Concur
rent Resolution No. 2 were both in.
dorsed strongly by the governor. These.
he pointed out, are the real efficiency
and economy measures. The first
named provides for a survey of all
state departments, boards and bureaus
for the purpose of laying the ground
work for legislation, to be introduced
at an extra session or at the next gen,
eral Assembly, consolidating depart
ments, eliminating useless and dupli-
Gated boards and bureaus, and in a
general way bringing about efficiency
and economy in the operation of the
state government.
Senate concurrent resolution pro.
vides for the short ballot-a constitu-
tional amendment abolishing all elec-
tive executive offices except that OF
governor and auditor. The concentra-
tion made possible In this way, he con-
tended, is necessary for real economy
and efficiency in state affairs.
Special attention was given by Gov
ernor Carlson to the need of enacting
legislation to remedy industrial condi-
tions in the state and to prevent. If
possible, the recurrence of industrial
conflicts. The tone of his reference to
this subject, in the opinion of many
members of the Legislature, indicates
that the governor will not necessarily
insist upon the passage of the indus
trial commission workmen's compensa-
ton DILL as originally advocated by
him II he can be assured that the
same ends can be accomplished by
measures otherwise framed. He did
not demand that the dual bill be en-.
acted. He stated that the subject is
one demanding considerable thought
and consideration and expressed the
| conviction that the Assembly will en-,
act effective legislation along this
line.
Represe ntatIve Rowland Freed on Ball
1 aI