The Elbert County tribune., 1915-03-19
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.

Denver--ln his first special mes
sage 10 the Twentieth General AS
sembly, Governor Carlson March 10th
commended the membership of the
House of Representatives for the man
ner in which 1t and its special COM
mittee have conducted the investiga-
ton in the Howland 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-
ton 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, mari. 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-
ton 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.
tion 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 abollshing 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. If 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. 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 concur ent resolution pro
vides for the short ballot-a constitu
tional amendment abolishing all elec
tive executive offices except that oi
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 enactine
legislation to remedy industrial condi
tions in the state and to prevent, II
possible, the recurrence OF industria
conflicts. The tone of his reference tc
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 If he can be assured that the
same ends can be accomplished by
measures otherwise framed. He die
not demand that the dual bill be en-
acted. He stated that the subject II
one demanding considerable thought
and consideration and expressed tho
conviction that the Assembly will en-
act effective Legislation along thi'
line.
Representative Rowland Freed on Bal
Denver.-W. w. Rowland. expelled
from the lower house Of the Legisla
ture by unanimous vote. gave bont
Tuesday in the sum of $1,000 and wal
l ~. as.fI