The Colorado statesman., 1915-01-16


ploye but fraction of the amounts so
received
The system of workmens compensa-
tion, except in certain cases of serious
and willful misconduct gives the em-
ploye a right against his employer to
a fixed and definite or easily ascer
of an accident in the course of the
employment. The amount of compen
sation is fixed according to the degree
of injury. or disability and according
to the injured employees earning abil-
ity and is not made later than a GER
thus furnishing funds to the empioye
or his dependents when they are Liost
needed. II limits the employers liza
of injury where death does not follow.
1t removes the danger of excessive
in The emPGge Is 5S
of compensation due. Appeal may be
made from the commissions ruling to
the courts, but experience In the states
that seldom is appeal made Work
mems compensation relieves private
of caring for injured workers and
their dependents, relieves the courts
Of much litigation and tends in a con-
siderable degree to remove the bitter
ness so frequently following contests
in the courts between employer and
employe.
The people are demanding that this
Legislature increase the efficiency and
eliminate the extravaganza and waste
fulness of the present organization of
our state government. 1t is earnestly
urged that early in the session your
financial committee, or such commit
tee as you may appoint for the pur-
pose, make thorough survey of ev
cry offiGe board, bureau ,u, and depart,
all existing inefficiency and lack of
economy.
Many fields of inquiry suggest them
selves. As the state has grown de-
mands have arisen for boards, bureaus
and commissions to perform certain
need resulted in the creation of a new
office. From time to time these needs
have changed. ceased to be urgent and
office remained. This multiplicity of
offices having different policies and
ecutive and administrative authority to
become more and more decentralized.
until at the present time it is difficult,
unified policy. After such a survey is
made. all duplication. lack of co-ordi
and commissions should be eliminated
and an efficient, economical organiza-
tion substituted.
Budget.
1t is highly important that there
should be available in collected form
accurate statistics on the expense of
ture should pass a law making it n |
duty of the heads of every department
to file with the state treasurer on or
legislative session. an estimate in de-
tail of the amounts required by their |
respective departments for the biennial
period following. The state treasurer
should submit such estimates to the |
GGofmmlttee on appropriations for in
for the publication of these estimates |
The committee on appropriations, hav-
ing the treasurer's estimate of avail ,
pense for the biennial period. would be |
greatly facilitated in its work, and aid
IN preventing over-approprlation. Pub
iication of these figures would inform
the public more accurately on the eX-
pense of its state government.
Abolish Classified Appropriations.
The present system of classified ap-
preparations encourages the vice of over
appropriations AS result depart
ments of government classed below the
second class and having no mill levy
for their support in many instances
have been without funds for as long
as half the biennial period. To secure
efficient results. each department of
government must know exactly how
much revenue it has to work with
Otherwise. the operations of the de-
departments affected by over-appropri-
atlons are restricted. and in several
pletely demoralized II is just as un-
wise and unbusinesslike for state
TO spend more than its income as it is
Tor an individual or business concern
to do the same. The states revenues
can be determined exactly and appro-
priations should be kept within the
has been made to determine how many
states have classified appropriations.
the inquiry. only one. Missouri, has any
classification. In Missouri the expense
OF the Legislature Is placed in the sew
enth, and last. class and as result
there has not been an unpaid appropri-
alton in thirteen years. The moral is
obvious. II every salary suffers pro-
portionately by over appropriation
there viii be little danger of the same
This evil can be overcome by the en-
irer hot
appropriations have equal rank as
claims against the states revenues
nue. to pay all appropriations in full
each separate appropriation shall re-
ceive an amount bearing the same ra-
10 10 the fuii amount of the same as
the total available revenue bears to the
total amount appropriated.
Prohibition.
AT the November election the people
decided that on January. 1915 this
state is to become dry. The duty now
devoives. upon you to carry out the
quate legislation. Great care must be
taken IN preparing this law to avoid
legal difficulties and to make it en-
forceable. If a poor law is drafted,
wholesale evasion and consequent law
iessness viii follow surely and the
pei ed to pay heavy tribute. You should
be guided by the experience of other
states. After years OF experiment Kan
sas has proh.sitory laws that are en-
forceable anu effective.
Certain rights of purchase and sale
Tor medicinal and sacramental purposes
are provided by the constitutional
amendment and these rights should be
safeguarded but not extended. Whole
salers should not be permitted to sell to
retailers Tor any purpose whatsoever.
adequate means OF. enforcement and
punishment for violations should be
provided. Those upon whom the duty
of law enforcement will fall intimate
ly should have the power to discharge
iully this duty. Adequate means of
law enforcement viii prevent the law
breaker from getting his first start
inadequate means will provide him his
opportunity. Such notices and records
should be required to be kept as will
make ii impossible for anyone to pro
cure intoxicants without the knowl-
edge of the authorities. Peace Off
GERS should be given the same right of
search as is given now i'm the gam
bling statute. 1t should be made easy
to remove officers who refuse or neg
lect to enforce the laws passed by you.