The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1915-03-19
HOUSE TAKES UP
EFFICIENCY BILL
Provisions Of Measure Closely
Watched by Members.
HAMMOND FAVORS PASSAGE
Idea Given Birth by Political Necessi
ties, but May Result in Benefit
to General Public.

st. iaD-The house enc
of the legislature is wrestling witt
the economy and efficiency bill-for
mer Governor Eberhart's little crea
tion-and the chances are that not
only its consideration, but the un
earthing of lot of nicely concealed
woodchucks, will engage the atten
ton of all concerned for some days
The bill was taken up Monday and
by agreement is being considered by
sections. AS it contemplates the over.
turning of government that has been
fifty years in the making the enormity
and Importance of the task may be
appreciated. AS a starter Governor
Hammond featured its consideration
with a special message urging its
adoption and including letters from
the heads of number of state de-
partments praising the bill. However
there was included letter from At
torney General Smith, which while
commendatory had written between
the lines have a care" In effect ii
was warning to the lawmakers to
eliminate the political machine max.
ing features of the bill if they wanted
real efficiency and economy. The
work of Governor Eberhart's economy
and efficiency commission of thirty is
supposed to be pretty well known, but
the house when it tackled the job ap.
preached the task with fear and
trembling. 1t is not known whether
the bill will prevail in its entirety, be
amended or only the title get by. To
many the latter appealed, as in their
judgment real efficiency and economy
lies only in the title.
!. !. ].
1t was not until a few days ago that
the state department heads were
reused to a sense of activity regard
ing the possible passage of the bill
and the activity of the Democratic
executive and his lieutenants in be-
half of the measure. Representative
l.. G. Spooner of Morris, chairman OF
the committee handling the bill, also
was found to be very active. Prior
to Mr.. Spooner's line of activity the
bill, in a measure, had been regarded
a dead one; few even had taken the
trouble to inquire into it's provisions.
1t is said, and with more or less truth
that if the bill as drafted prevails the
Republican party could kiss goodby to
any possible change of control for the
next six years at least. The bill is so
arranged that with it's passage Gov
ernor Hammond is given the absolute
appointment of practically sixty heads
of departments and control over six
OF" seven hundred minor jobs.
i :. =.
History is not always made by pa,
triots, nor does the greatest good al.
ways accrue to the greatest number
by reason of the unbiased and I'm.
partisan efforts of the few. Out of
the workings of politics sometimes
comes the greatest good to the tax
paying many and the efficiency and
economy bill may be TO exception to
the rule. Politics was responsible for
this particular measure. Though
bearing the name of former Governor
Eberhart the idea was conceived by
his private secretary, George F. Au-
thier, and was launched better than
year ago for the purpose of nullify
ing the effect of the gubernatorial an
nouncement of former State Auditor
Samuel G. Iverson, who, 1t was agreed
both by Mr.. Eberhart and his back
ers, was a dangerous rival Mr. Iver-
sons announcement demanded re-
trenchment and Mr.. Eberhart without
delay answered the challenge by the
appointment of the commission re-
sponsible for the present bill How
the commission named by Governor
Eberhart got away from him and Mr..
Author is of record. He was man
enough, though, to accept the situa-
ton and while the bill in its present
shape will undoubtedly lend to the
stability of the present Democratic
administration he has never hollered
That it will get by, without extensive
amendments, however, is not likely.
Scores Of such are in preparation and
Will U6 Ou0T6u.
!. i. !.
c. H. Warner of Aitkin has secured
from the house permission to investt-
gate the existence of an alleged
bridge trust in Minnesota and the
chances are that some interesting
things will be brought to light. At
the present time county and town
boards say it is almost impossible to
secure competitive bids on bridge and
culvert work and that trust is re.
sponsible. The headquarters of the
combination is said to be in Mime
apolis.
!. :. <
Statutory prohibition as proposed
by Senator E. E. Lobeck of Alexan-
dria went by the board in the upper
body and it is expected that the bill