Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1915-01-06

If YOU
controversy over temperance 1egis-
lation, and practically every represen-
tative and senator elected have come
here either opposed to a change from
local option to county option or in
favor of such change; very likely
each member desires an opportunity
to express his own opinion and to give
voice to the prevailing sentiment in
the district he represents. There are
numerous plans for the promotion of
temperance, and every one is in "a
vor Of temperance legislation or claims
to be in favor of it. Some of our
citizens would prohibit the sale, the
manufacture and the use of intoxi-
eating liquors of all kinds within the
state. Others would prohibit their
manufacture and sale, but not their
use. Others would distinguish be-
tween spurious liquors and malt and
vinous beverages. The majority, how
ever, apparently favor the licensing
of the sale of intoxicating liquors eth
er by the counties or by lesser po-
litical units, and while I am convinc-
ed that sooner or later the people of
this state will pass upon some kind
of a prohibition measure. just now
the question is, Shall there be county
option in place of existing local op-
ton? Since nearly every member
knows now what his vote will be, it
does not seem that a discussion of
the matter at any length is either de-
sirable or necessary. Whatever de-
termination you may reach upon coun-
ty option, trust that all other pro.
posals tending to promote temperance
among the people of this state will re-
ceive your atteh tion, and that you
may be able to place upon the stat
ute books some measures that will
make for temperance.
ECONOMY AND EFFICIENCY.
"A matter of great concern and OF
farreaching consequence will come be-
fore you at this session. For many
years students of public affairs and
those concerned in the activities OF
the state have believed the civil ad-
ministration should be recognized.
We have now number of Offices, de-
partments and commissions acting in
dependently and unrelated to each
ether. There is lack of coordination
and lack of supervision. Necessarily
there Is duplication of work and that
means unnecessary work. The dupli-
cation of work necessitates a large
number of employees. If one man can
perform the services required in two
departments, it is waste to employ
two men.
But there is matter of still great
er Importance. These commissions,
boards, departments and offices,
working along different lines and Oft
times at cross purposes, make effort
for good government far less effective
than il. directed by one chief super
visor and toward definite goal. En-
ficiency is the highest type of econ.
omy. The purpose Of reorganizing
the civil administration of Minnesota
is to secure economy through greater
efficiency. The governor of this state
in October, 1918, appointed the Min.
nesota efficiency and economy com
mission. It was made up of thirty
citizens of the state, representing all
parts of it geographically. Several
months ago it published it's prelimt
nary report and announced that its
final report would be ready for the
legislature of 1915. That report ha,
been prepared and will be brought to
your attention. It proposes three
things:
SUBSTANCE OF REPORT.
First, a reorganization of the civil
administration of this state. Second
the Inauguration of the merit system
for the selection of state employees
Third, the establishment of budget
AOA u60 Ill COAA0CLAOu Will
tons. Now, its third recommends
ton, the establishment of budget
will encounter no serious opposition
that is, direct opposition. Every one
will pronounce it a good thing. Some
thing toward it's establishment might
be done even If the other recommen
dations were unapproved, but the worl
will be done much better, much more
effectively, and be Of greater value, Il
the proposed reorganization is accom-
plished. Each commission, depart
ment or Office for which appropria
ton is made or which has tho OK
penditure of money, would some time
previous to the meeting of the legis
lature make its estimate Of the amour,
of money required for its operation
for two years following, and thu
amounts of money necessary to NEE
any expenditures which it may have
been directed to make, These eatt