The evening world., 1915-01-06
SCORING
democrats, CALLS
/: FORFULL SWEEP
sssri
Tens Legislature to Wipe Out
Certain State Departments
~, and Reform Others.
SLASH ALL SlNECURES.
Patronage Was Used for Party
Gainand CNilService Abused,
He Says in First Message,

ALBANY, Jan. Ga good way -
decrease the state debt OF approx.
mately S125,50o,oo0 Is 70 eliminate
some useless State departments and
rsorganize others, Gov. whitman
told the Legislature in his first mes
sage to-day. The Governor thinks two
big departments should he completely
abolished. three others reorganlzcd.
and sixth supplanted by a new booy
that would do its work more efa-
cisntly and economically.
These are the leading changes tho
2 Executive suggested:
Abolish the State Fire Marshsrs
office and the Department, OF Efficlen-
cyiand Economy.
Bupplant the three Conservation
Commisioners now in Office with one
man and put trained experts at the
hsads OF the three divisions OF the
Commission.
Restore the Highway Department;
to triple-headed. non- partisan rule
md, make the terms OF the Commits
sioners overlapping.
Eliminate all Offices OF Commits
sioner Of Elections outside OF New
York City and possibly the counties
of Erie. Monroe ana Onondaga.
Create one office Of State Superiu-
tendent of Elections and abolish the
three offices OF Superintendent OF
Elections now existant.
Establish a claims division Of the
Supreme Court to take over the work
now performed by the Board Of
Claims and eliminate that body.
In proposing the changes, the Gov.
srnor accused the Democratic Party
Of having increased not only the num-
Der Of otats effieiais and employees
In the last four years, but also with
raising salaries rseklsssly in nearly
oil dspartmsnts. Hs said the increase
In peSitiens was "sxpiainabls only by
the existence Of Q deliberate 'pian to
tAstsW the control Of Q party upon the
State by the use OF . vast amount OF
efieisIs patronage"
AccorviluG to figures quoted by the
Governor. the increase In the State
debt between Sept. 80. 1913, and the
same debt In 1914 was approximately
s2s,0eo,o00.
The message contained no recon-
mendati tions for changes in the statute
relating 10 the organization OF the
Civil Service Commission, as had been
expected, but 1t declared strongly that
the purpose of the Civil Service laws
had not been carried out.
"lndssd," the Governor declared.
/ careful inspection Of the States pay
olis and examination Of the qualiri'
Z bations possessed by great numbers
Vol the States employees almost in
variabiy force . fair minded man 70
sult Of tho administration by those
charged BY law with the duty Of on.
forcing this provision Of the ecnstitu-
ton, as embodied in the Civil Service
laws Of the State. has been to defeat
rather than to accomplish the purpose
of the law"
Many positions In the Worlmens
O.omps sation Commission Offices ami
1he Labor Department. with salar'cs
ranging from $1,000 to $4,000. the
MESSAGE said. had been c,rir?i"i In
order 20 be used rs patronage. Then
came the suggestion that the Gov Z
crnor plans removels.
"it 10 not my purpose the Gov,
eroor said. $50 recommend TO your
honorable body legislation popularly
known as .ripper' legislation to the
.nd thst osfices or places row held
ky members Of one political orasri.
zation may be filled by member Of
srothsr poiitiesI organization. But !
10 believe tina. il will be nv duty
from time TO time to ash for
sueh isqislstioo a. will oorpei obsd,
cree, 20 the very simple mandsts cf
ths constitution that appointments
aud pror,otions may be wsds accord
ING 20 merit and fitness. - be sses"'
tAfrsd. 80 Var ss praeti:abis, by 60
sr,inations."
The only absolutely new department
suggested by the Governor i9 on" 90
axes and assessments. lie would
have Il headed by persona part cula'l"
!. nuaiided for the work "tO he end
ma, wa may develop a system of ta&-
alton making for greater jussoe
toward the people ~ the whole State. ."
rAs entire tax law. ihs Governor said.
b. the result Of patchwork asd max
shift growth,
Rscor p,srdstion was msds that
TIE resolution 10 provide sr equal
su<fysQs sp,srdwsnt 20 tho eonstitu'
tisu, pssssd In tot3, be passed snsin
this yssr In srdsr thst Il may be sub
mittsS 10 the vess's ct the "'s' 'l'e'
The Governor would cease granting
syDsrss money 80 various special non
sslsvlsd commissions because. Will"
,hsy may be worthy, tho pres1ni con
alton oi the H'y'" fiHnurrs Hih"s
,hs sbolishmsHt - such unn' nssERry
expense desirable, he declared
rsrisin appropriation fOr ih' sibi"
siiitis. wbieb Sers withhold lHsi
vssp, should he made 49, aulfkly gs
possible 'hs mss.sgs ssiS