La Junta tribune., 1916-10-28
STATE SURVEY COMMITTEE
Work That Has Been Accomplished
ny This Important Body and Its
Plans for the Future

Operating for forty years on
charter designed for a state not of
| large population, and with totally
different social questions than en-
list today. Colorado finds itself with
patch work government. Its legis-
tators, backed usually by a governor
barely in office. have not the time
nor the ability to delve deep into the
questions which must be studied II
better basic laws are to be enacted
ana better conditions are to be OBJ
tanned. Hence a state survey COM
mittee. Philip b. Stewart, its pres
ident at Fridays meeting of the
Civic and Commercial Association.
when affairs devoted entirely to mat
tiers OF civic nature were under dis
cussion. gave business men OF Denver
the details OF work already accom-
plished by that important body and
Its plans for the coming few months,
prebably the closing period OF the
committees existence. Mr.. Stew
arts statement that there we're in
existence in connection with the
state government NO less than sew
eaty-seven diffsrent boards. bureaus
and commissions apparently served
10 clinch tn tAe minds At least Of
those present 4 determination that
the lid should be taken Off such sit-
uations for the benefit OF the next
legislature.
"A survey OF state affairs can be
OF great service to the state II II Is
properly continued and followed
up" said Mr.. Stewart. I'VE are ac-
customed to treat lightly the offices
filled by our legislators. when as a
matter OF fact they are the most
important points In which service
In the cause OF good citizenship can
be rendered. The governor. him
self. as a rule, is too newly in office
to cooperate effectively with the
legislature. You are asking n green
and unsupported group OF men
:, therefore to deal with things that
reach into the daily life OF every
one OF MS. Under such conditions
YOU cannot get the sort OF govern
ment to which you are entitled.
Therefore It seems ridiculous to ap-
point a carefully selected body Of
men to make an investigation and
find out where there could be i'm
proyement. The Civic and Legislative
bureau has aided in the plans we
have attempted
Mr.. Stewart explained that the
survey committee possessed yirtu-
ally Il rowing commission: that the
time remaining OF it's existence was
short. but that II was hoped TO ac-
complish much
In recounting the fact that large
numbers OF commissions and bu-
reaus have heen organized. Mr..
Stewart observed that II was obvious
that there had been no unit OF gov
eminent In many instances but on
the other hand an evasion OF re-
sponsibility and much waste. He
referred to one bureau at the Capitol
which renders TO no one any account
OF It's expenditure. No less than thir-
teen boards deal with educational
matters. Mr. Stewart said. and fully
six bureaus and commissions with
matters OF public health.
we have gone into the depart.
ments and have studied their book
keeping" continued Mr.. Stewart.
I'm the central department. by
reason OF unsatisfactory bookkoep-
Ing, there is no chance for gs to as
certain the outgo or the income. We
propose 10 gather together the re-
suits of our investigation and make
the necessary recommendation to
the legislature for change IN this
quarter. II II clear that we are lay
Ing foundations whereby economies
may be effected"
Mr.. Stewart said that II N hoped
to place the appropriation system
OF the state on scientific basis as
n preliminary move,
Valuable cooperation on the part
OF the government had been secured
by the committee In matters OF pub