The Colorado statesman., 1917-01-13

| Regents state tniversity-Thom-
| ms IT. barnard and clifford w. Mills.
Grafton legislation. needed to make this
law effective.
Make Minimum Law Effective.
The Nineteenth General Assembly
enacted a minimum wage law for wofn-
en- and minors. 1t has never been en-
forced owing to lack of funds to
carry out the provisions of the law.
We recommend to your consideration
law effective.
business Methods for Land Board.
AT the recent election the people
adopted an initiated measure authoriz-
ing the loaning of the school fund on
farm lands. The duty of administering
this loan is lodged with the state board
of land commissioners. The fund now
to be handled is in excess of $1,000, 600.
In the course of time this fund will be
much larger. Under this board is also
the leasing and safe OF more than 81
100000 acres or state lands In view of
this very large estate, which is rapid
ly increasing in vaIue 1t is imperative
that an organization should be per-
fected along the lines of modern busi-
ness, capable of its administration. To
will be required and also an appropria-
tion from the general fund OF the state
to pay the salaries of the clerks and
employees and the expenses of the
board.
Consider wOrISmen's Compensation.
AS to the workmens compensation
law, consider the questions OIL increased
benefits. the supervision of its medical
system by the Industrial commission,
the employment of the partially dis
abled, present restriction upon the
state fund, the payment of claims for
compensation out of any and every
part of the fund. the requirement. of
special license from the industrial com
mission as well as from the commis-
sioner of insurance, to all stock
companies transacting a compensation
insurance business and the power in
the industrial commission, as well as
the commissioner of insurance, to re-
woke the license, power in the commls-
sion to determine the form of policies
and supervision by it of the application
of rates established by it to the various
risks insured; protection against dam
ger of loss through self-inSurinS en-
ployers; also the question of the uncer-
compensation act. All of these ques-
tions, however, should only be consid-
cred after full notice to parties inter-
ested and a full hearing.
Added Duties for Industrial Board.
The Industrial relations law confers
upon the industrial commission not
only the power to enforce the worko YORK
to superintend and regulate in various
ways the other relations between en-
ployer and employe. The commission
operating under this law ought to
prove a tremendous influence for good
In the industrial affairs of our COM
monwealth.
One of the most important and con-
structive provisions in this act relates
sion to maintain industrial peace as be-
tween the employer and the employe.
To promote this end the commission Is
given power to investigate Industrial
disputes and during this time the en-
ployer is forbidden to lock out the em-
ploye and the employe is forgidden
to go strike. In order to prevent
possible abuse and to not interfere too
long with the liberty of each side to
permits, a limit should be set upon the
period of time to be consumed by tho
commission in the investigation of any
particular Industrial dispute.
Another amendment is ont providing
that the state at it's own expense shall
furnish and maintain a few we'll
equipped rescue cars to save the lives
of workmen entombed in mines, the
control of which should be under the
Industrial commission.
The law providing for the Public
Utilities Commission and the commits
sion acting hereunder; have been Of
to the people OF the state of Colorado.
Material amendments should be made
to the law under which this commits
and promoting lis efficiency.
Public Printing Law Obsolete.
The statutes peTtinsnt to pTSeS
employ terms no longer in use by
printers 1t is SAID that it you'd tbs be
SsDsii eRsDged sonditions. ~ for the % stats printe
ing commissioner to follow the letter
of the statute under which he is sup
1t is further said that vast amount
of Unnecessary printing is done under
our present law. These matters are
referred to your wise consideration.
Protect Public Mineral Lands.
The state, school and other trust
funds hold several hundred thousand
able for the minerals beneath them.
At the present time these minerals
are sold on a royalty basis and the the
used for general expenses. The inter
ests of the state and its school chill
dren demand legislation which WI. VIII
protect this fund for the purpose for
which 1t was intended.
judicial Districts Need Revision.
the judicial districts of the state
should be rearranged, the act to take
effect two years hence; thus the busl-
ness of the district courts can be dl;
vided up to give each Judge an equal
amount of work.
other Legislation.
Time forbios going into detail as to
some other matters which deserve
your consideration and action, such as
a pure seed bill, an appropriation for
a geological survey. and appropriation
for the Bureau of Child and animal
for the completion of the Fall River
road, either specifically or In connec-
ton with other highway matters.
budget system Urged.
sideration the adoption OF the neces-
sary, legislation for putting in force
of all moneys required for maintaining
the government and the institutions
of the state.
Heavy taxation comes from local lev
les not the state levy. From the state
levy, provision for these charges Is
made. An additional mill would be
safely within the constitutional limit
and yet would produce the magnificent
sum of S1.211 900. The burden, If 1t
can be called such. would be but
pittance to each taxpayer; s2.50 to
property of s2.5oo. SIS to holding OF
Of 100000. While considerate OF the
taxnaYer's burdens and rights let US