The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-07-31
ROOT SEES PERIL IF
REFORM is DENIED
People Demanding Rcorgani-
cation Of State Government
on Simpler Lines.
FEDERAL PLAN FAVORED
New York System as IrrespOn.
sivc as Venezuelan,
He Declares.

ALBANY. July 30.-President Root or
the Constitutional Convention is Of the
opinion that the convention may as well
adjourn now so far as the approval
of the people at the November election
Is concerned II II does not adopt the
Tanner plan to reorganixe tho State Gov
and commissions and the Stmson plan
to save ss0.00o.0o0 in the payment OF
the canal and highway State debt
The Tanner plan also involves the
short ballot Idea, and President Root
is to take a strong stand upon the
ures. Mr.. Root addressed the members
Of the Tanner committee to-day ond
declared that a reorganization OF .he
State government not only would re-
suit In great economy but that II vas
demanded by the people The purpose
Of the plan. he said, was to do away
with invisible government. provide
government Of accountability and re-
sponsibility to the people
.The Government OF New York state
for the past twenty years has been
about as responsive and representative
as the Government Of Venezuela" Mr..
Root declared.
Fear for Their jobs.
Mr. Roots appearance before tho
Tanner committee at this time was due
to the fact that the members OF the COM
mittee have been buttonholed by State
officials. members of State boards and
commissions and politicians generally.
whose jobs are in danger II the Tanner
plan goes through. to oppose such a re-
organization OF the State government.
For some days Chairman Tanner has
been observing that some OF the seven
teen members OF his committee were be-
coming lukewarm toward the plan be-
cause OF the pressure which was being
brought to bear upon them and he
sought the influence OF Mr.. Root to stem
the tide. Mr.. Roots advice TO the com
mittse had the desired effect, IL was
stated after the meeting. which was
held behini closed doors.
President Root warned the delegates
bling and technicalities OF politicians
and demanded real governmental re-
form.
"They have had abundant cause for
! complaint" said Mr.. Root. "They are
| tired OF the present system OF govern.
| ment and II Is wonder they could have
| existed so long under II with 50 little
| complaint, when you consider the mush.
room growth OF offices, agencies and
departments which have sprung up dur.
Ing the past twenty years. II We don't
give the people a real cure they will
keep on demanding such things as the
| initiative, referendum and recall.
Plan Must Go Through.
These are not cures, but nostrums.
We must put through this plan for a
complete reorganization OF the govern
ment Let Il be our answer to the de-
mand OF the people for reform.
You should take statesmanlike
view OF this question. d!scarding ths
microscope and using the long range
| telescope"
The members OF the Tanner commit
tee promptly voted In favor of six OF
| the dozen or more sections OF the pro-
posed new article reorganizing the gov
ernment upon the pattern OF the Fed
eral Cabinet system. 1t provides for
ten departments Of government, headed
by secretaries, each OF whom shall be
appointed by the Governor and shall
| be members of the cabinet.
The Governor, Lieutenant G overnor
and Attorney General. and perhaps the
Comptroller. will be the only elective
state officers The Comptrollers ac-
tiyities will be limited TO the auditing
of accounts and there will be n Secre-
| tary OF Treasury to collect the taxes
The public service, education. conser-
walton. health and labor departments
| will be recognized as the most important
of the State departments.
In the opinion OF those who have
studled the scheme and are opposed ia
II the new plan instead of effecting
economies in government will be more
costly than the present system.
Fight on Rich sauatters.
While the State Conservation Com
mission believes old settlers In the All
rondacks who are squatters on S'atc
lands should be granted licenses under
the Constitution to continue living AS
:hey are at present, It has begun actions
to distinguish between wealthy squat
rers in violation OF law and the ma
tiyes who have some color or title.
The commission is taking this action
in order to make popular the plan
to protect the hative squatters and 10
secure favorable action to that end
In the Constitutional Convention.
Scattered through tho Adirondack
are numerous squatters. particularly
around Raquette Lake, who are simply
trespassers with full knowledge Of theii
unlawful occupancy Some OF these ars
native to the region, while others are
wealthy camp owners who will endeavol
to base their holding upon some doubt
ful title.
An investigation OF these titles ha,
been instituted by Conservation Commits
sioner Pratt and several sensational ac
tlons have already been started.
One Of the first OF these cases Is tina
of Robert j. Collier OF Golfers Weekly
who has long occupied a camp site or
Rauuette Lake. Another Is that Of Col
william Mann, editor OF To,rn Topics
who for many years has maintained {
summer residence on an island In LAX,
George that belongs to the state. Motto,
was served on Mr.. Collier on July !.
that he must vacate in thirty days o
: action for ejectment would be at one,
started. and papers for Col, Mann ar,
now out.
with such offenders as these" sal,
} Deputy Conservation Commissioner Nc
Lean to-day, "this commission has n,
sympathy whatever and does not believ