Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1915-09-10
The Commission Plan To Reduce
State Expenses.
From the Baltimore Sun.

From the Baltimore Sun.
The overshadowing issue in the primary
campaign has been efficiency and economy.
II will be the overshadowine issue in the
general election campaign. And we have
no doubt that, regardless of who is nomi-
mated for Governor and who elected. there
will be vigorous efforts at retrenchment
Public sentiment. aroused by the financial
condition Of the State and crystallized by
the special articles in The Sun. will compel
that, whether those given charge of the
government be sincere or insincere. The
large and important thing now is to make
sure that the efforts at retrenchment are
wise and well-directed.
II the work be undertaken in haphazard
fashion; If there be lack Of complete and
accurate information if there be failure to
look far into the future; IL poorly equipped
or demago9ic men dominate. then the State
will suffer; and possibly may suffer far
more than il does now from financial mis-
MANAGEMENT. Efficiency does not mean
merely change economy does not mean
hating the modern governmental activi-
ties recently inaugurated
Efficiency and economy in government,
at this time in this State. mean practical
reorganization Of the States machinery to
the end that there be coordination of the
work Of State officials so that each will
have useful duties to perform and will
have sufficient useful duties to engage the
entire time for which he is paid and
efficiency and economy mean that the
manifold business interests of the State
be conducted according to approved bust
ness methods Of this day. rather than the
obsolete methods Of past generation.
To accomplish sound and lasting results
from the present agitation. there must be
careful study Of the whole business of the
State government and deliberate prepara-
ton Of a new working system. In the
nature Of things. this is work that must
be done by a small group of the ablest
and cleansst men. 1t is proper that the
results of the labors Of such a group be
criticized and considered by those whom
the people elect to Office. But only by the
work of such group may we have COM
prehensive scheme Of things that will put
before the people and their servants in sim
pie form the weaknesses Of the present
system and the remedies.
Joseph d. Baker. of Frederick county
an exceptionally able business man and
public-spirited citizen. saw the need Of
such procedure and suggested a commits
sion to be named by the next Legislature
and to report to that Of 1918. Mr.. Harring-
ton amended Mr.. Bakers suggestion very
wisely, we think-by suggesting that the
commission be named by the Democratic
convention. to report to the next Leeisla-
ture. thus saving two years time.
II is worth while to repeat part of the
statement made by Mr.. Philip d. Laird. OF
Montgomery county. one of the candidates
for the Democratic nominations for the
House In that county. Mr.. Laird in a
statement in The Sun said, in part
A commission such as has been sug.
eested would have ample time calmly and
thouehtfully to consider the situation and
formulate bills for submission TO the Leg.
islature. Possibly two commissions -one
to deal with fiscal affairs. the other to in
vestigate the public Offices with reference
to their working forces and the feasibility
OF reducing them and improving theil
efficiency-might be better than one; but
that is detail Of the plan which can b.
determined when the convention meets
The personnel Of the commission should
Of course, be above reproach as to charac
ter and ability. in order to inspire the con
fdence of the people and avert the charg
Of political trickery that would otheTwis,
be made. Judge Pearce and Mr.. JOSEPH
d. Baker are types of the membership
needed. but II is doubtful if the forme
could serve at this time.
1T is apparent. think. that the work o
the Legislature would be greatly facilitate,
" this suggestion were adopted. Withou
something Of the kind, it is probable tina
food Of crude. ill-considered bills will b
introduced by men Of limited experience
and information, carried away by popula
outcry against extravagance. and the re
suit might be patchwork compromise i
the closing days Of the session. Tina
would not be satisfactory 20 anybody an
would be discreditable to the party an
the State.
ION the other hand, knowledge that
able commission was at work upon I'll
problem would tend to head off the seeker
after notoriety. and the General Assembl
would have a concrete and COMPREHENSIVE
plan, based upon facts, to begin with. ia
stead Of confused mass of peacemet
legislation TO end with"
No man in Maryland has a more int
mate knowledge Of conditions and method
in the Legislature or Of State affairs eeneI
ally than Mr. Laird. His opinion, founde
on experience and ripe judgment. shout
have proper weight with the Democrat
convention.