Omaha daily bee., 1915-01-13
GOV. CLARKE FOR ECONOMY
Iowa Executive Tells Legislature
Appropriations Should Not
Exceed $950,000
FAvORs. SHORTER BALLOT LAW
Trom a staff Correspondent.


Governor George W. Clarke in his bien-
nial message to the thirty-sixth general
assembly. delivered at o'clock this aft
ernoon. reviewed state affairs and made
recommendations for a comprehensive
program Of important legislation. includ-
ing the following:
Appropriations must be limited 10 about
$4,000 for the biennium, unless new
sources Of revenue are found.
Millage taxes should he reduced be-
cause OF the raise in valuation.
Adoption Of millaee tax method for
support OF the state institutions and wip-I
ing out state tax levy.
Constitutional amendment for state
taxation Of railroads and similar prop.
erty directly.
Handling Of funds for the colleges and
tho highway commission through the
state treasury instead OF Independently
Literal appropriations for the colleges.
Special provision for collection OF col
lateral inheritance taxes.
Road Improvement Law needed.
Authority for issuance Of bonds by
counties or special assessment districts
for permanent road work.
Commission to investigate on the lake
beds and state TO retain ownership OF
all drained lakes
Appropriation for aid to the San Fran
cisco exposition commission. also for cell
ebraiion Of negro centennial and refund
on Gettysburg celebration expense.
Removal Of exemption as TO taxation
or bees.
More legislation on habit-forming drugs.
ORGANIZATION Of a public utilities. COM
mission.
Provision for a county manager or other
reform IN county government.
Medical department for the state H.
brary.
Woman suffrage amendment to be sub
mitted TO vote.
Prevention OF pollution OF streams.
The shorter ballot TO a limited extent.
Repeal Of the nonpartisen election of
judges.
a four-year term for the governor, with
inellglbility
Reduction in expenses of the legIsla-
tive sessions.
Constitutional amendment to reduce
membership IN legislature more than half
Court reform. limiting appeals. easier
methods OF getting juries. no reversal OF
Right OF judges 70 parole convicted
persons before commitment.
Establishment OF custodial farms. in
dustries for convicts. more road work
by convlcts.
Finances of the state.
The governor devoted q great deal OF
his message to the finances OF the state.
He gave the estimates OF income and
expenditure and showed that current ex-
penditures through the state treasury
would in the next biennium amount 70
ss,f77,ooo and income. including balance
ON hand. ti0.4ss.Ooo. Unless new sources
Of revenue arc devised the extraordinary
appropriations must be kept below $780, 900
The statement includes a showing OF the
cost OF the state colleges. Their annual
Income from the state alone. " their re.
quests are granted, win be t2.S9S750.
The most important part OF the mes
sage related 20 the subject OF reform IN
methods OF state overnment--losialativ
and executive. With regard to the gov
ernor he said he believed he should have
a four-year term. and he should not take
office at the same time that a now leg
islature begins. Under the present sys,
tenn, as shown by experience, he doel
not more than get started until he Il
forced into a long fight for nomination
and another for reelection. and he hai
no time to devote 10 the public good
With regard 10 the Legislature he woul,
have a senate OF twenty-five and a hoos
OF fifty members. and get better results
from legislation by such body. Eek
perience shows that large bodies are no
capable of effective work in legislation
He also suggested again a reduction 4
the number OF employees about tho les
islaturo and consequent outting down o
expenses at the present time.
Cosrt Procedure Too slow.
Important matters relating to cour
procedure are discussed by the governo
AZ length. The administration OF tho Ia,
Is slow. uncertain and unreasonabiy ca
pensive. lie would have a rule restrict
ing the examination in selection OF Jurors
or have the judge conduct the examins
tion. The time for taking appeals Shout
be shortened. The law forblddIng eour
sci 10 comment on the fact that a ds
PENDANT IN criminal case fails 10 testii
should be repealed No new trial or r,
versal OF case should ,oSrnafie on tecl
nicalities. ana only whep Il appears
the court that a substantial denial OF n
NEhts OF lltigants has been rcacled.
The highway law was declared 20 |
rapidly growing In the favor OF the pc,
pie. For the first time has there bee
permanent progress IN repair and r6s
making. II may be necessary 20 amer
the law in some particulars. but the e
sentlal prineales and provisions ha'
been found 10 be right and ought 10 r
main. There are localities where Il
question Of hard surfaced roads IL ,
ceiving attention. and there should
provision that . county may issue bon
10 reise money for this phrpose or IN
shsye may be a special Tnad district CT
sted fer that purpose-
Drainage 'df Lakes,
With regard 10 tie meAndered Ia.
problem the governor suggested col
mission 10 investigate. the whole matt,
lie would also have the legislature
more specific as 10 Just what kinds
lakes should be drained. and not lee
q TO the executive conneil. which canr
decide these matters. TIE ownership
lake beds after drainage should remi
IN the state. and soma OF them might
used for custodial farma