The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1917-01-12

tion the state is hardly able 10 sur {
render any of its revenues, and CON
tinue to match disbursements with re-
ceipts. In this connection, il is well
TO remember that the expense Of the
state government last year, for the
first time in a long while, exceeded its
income. Certainly the relief needed
cannot be afforded in this way. The
committee on investigation, already
to, has expended a great deal
of time, the leadership in the work
having been assumed by Mr.. Stewart
l.. Tatum Of Springfield, whose serv-
ice has been of such high order and so
rendered Us TO call for
this acknowledgement. II is his judg
ment that the safest step lies in the
direction Of taking the sinking fund
and interest charge out of the first ten |
mills in the limitation. Obviously the |
exception from the five mills making |
up the difference between the ten |
and fifteen mills is not recommended /
because that relates to improvements /
authorized by vote of the people. If
the sinking fund and interest expense
are lifted out of the first ten mills, it
should only be done by local option.
If necessity for it exists, it ought to
be voiced by the people themselves
through their suffrage right.
1t might be well also, TO supple
ment this plan if it meets with your
adoption, with an added check on the
issuance of bonds. The Longworth
act is wise measure, and the neces-
sity of restraint in turning out bond
issues has been rendered plain by the
abuses of the past. A provision such
as the Smith law carrying arbitrary
features is ofttimes necessary to bring
the hour of reflection and inventory.
Only through its enactment, apparent
ly, has the public been brought to a
measurable understanding of the un-
fortunate laxity in the past, in the
issuance of bonds. That detail was
so unbusihesslike and so unfair to the
succeeding generation, as to make its
long continuance seem almost incred-
ible. Long time bonds were issued
for purely temporary improvements.
Inevitably they fell upon time and
generation that did not profit by the
service provided for. Bonds are be-
ing paid now that were issued for pro-
jects long ago out Of existence.
Agricultural Needs.
The agricultural affairs Of the state
need some attention legislatively.
They are entitled, by virtue of changes
that have been made from one plan
to another in the last few years, to a
stable policy. The agricultural com
mission act as passed by the Eightieth
general assembly was intended pri-
marily to remove duplication in serv-
ice and bring about a coordination of
endeavor by the several departments.
While it was changed by the Eighty
first general assembly, in keeping
with the ruling administrative thought
at that time, of decentralization
! duplication in work was not restored
Legislative change should not be made
from the mere impulse of pride in
authorship. Whatever of good there
is in the present plan, should be pre-
served, and the alterations that are
necessary should be made with the
least disturbance possible. Pursuant
to that sentiment, I recommend that
the title of Secretary to the Agri-
cultural Board be changed to that Of
Secretary of Agriculture. The boarC
serves without compensation, and the
secretary is the administrative Officer
in fact, and as such should have {
more commanding status, with the
board behind him in an advisory ca
pacity. In every successful business
heads of departments are permitted
to work out details, urhampered. ANY
other plan is entirely inconsistent will
the exaction from their superiors o
definite result. Either the board o
the secretary Of agriculture must b.
the active unit, responsive to almos
daily requirements, and in view Of tn
unremunerative service rendered b,
the board, and the small amount o
time that it gives to the task. it i
illogical to entirely subordinate tn
responsible man on the job to tn
= board which meets only at intervals
|; A plan should be adjusted, however
which will not only enable the boar
to render valuable advisory and co
: operative service, but give il tn
power also to apply certain check
and control. In addition to this, tn
heads of the respective branches o
agriculture ought TO be tied togethe
= by co-ordinative policy that canno
: but be efficient. I would recommend
= therefore, that the governor, the sec
2 retary Of agriculture, the dean of tn
< College Of Agriculture, and the direC
COr OF Ine experimental SJaJlOn
n formed into an agricultural counci
= and that meetings be held at leas
3 monthly for the purpose of avoidin
: duplication, and promoting harmon
s Of action between the educatio .
!. scientific, and purely administratir
/ departments devoted to the subject @
@ agriculture. This will entail no finar
|, cial cost.
S A uniform system Of accountir
: should be established for the sta;
o board of agriculture. The state iai
= Is useful institution. Efficient ser,
a ice is very often overlooked if til
t system of financial accounting is cars
n less. 1t might be very wise pre-
|. caution to provide that the auditor :
n state apply this requirement to tn
y affairs Of the state fair.
: The State Grange, after a carefl
e inquiry into the subject Of marle:
II and marketing, has recommended ths
.. .. a bureau charged with the promotio
o Of a system Of mutually helpful e,
! change between the producer an
= consumer, be Joined to the departmer
II of agriculture. This has been so SUI,
s. =. Tu.nnz