The log cabin Democrat., 1917-01-01
MAKES NUMEROUS
RECOMMENDATIONS
SECTY. HODGES REPORTS
Urges Building of Executive Man
sion, Revision of Pension List
and State Accountant.

most unique report ever made by a
secretary of state will be filed with
Governor Hays today or tomorrow
by Earle W. Hodges. Mr.. Hodges
makes numerous recommendations
for changes in the state laws and
affairs, ordinarily not included in a
secretary's report. The recommen-
dations are made to the governor
with the request that he include them
in his recommendation to the legis-
| lature.
Among the recommendations in the
report are:
That an expert accountant be en-
gagged whose duty it would be to audit
all state departments and institutions
annually or semiannually.
That the state capitol tax be levied
| for a period of two years more and
appropriations made out of the pro-
ceeds for putting finishing touches
upon the capitol and grounds" Mr..
Hodges suggests that the border of
unsightly small cottages" around the
grounds should be removed, the drive
way asphalted and that the landscape
gardening be completed. Mr.. Hodges
recommends that the capitol commits
completed.
That the state build an executive
mansion as the residence of the gov
ernor. The report suggests that it
be placed at the southwest corner of
the capitol grounds and says that in
the last 40 years the state has paid
enough rent for residences for its
governors to have built and furnish
| ed two executive mansions.
That some provision be made for
the care of the old statehouse The
report suggests that if the medical
department of the University of Ar
kansas is to continue to use the build
ing, its officials should be made GUS
todians of the building.
That larger appropriation be
made for printing initiative and
referendum measures.
That 40 volumes of reports of the
supreme court, which are out of
print, be reprinted and supplies of
other volumes, which are low, be
replenished.
/ That a larger appropriation be
made for printing and binding in or
der that annual reports of officials
and departments can be printed and
distributed.
That the digest of the statutes re-
Gently completed by United States
Senator w. F. Kirby and John T.
Castle, librarian of the supreme
court, be declared official or another
one ordered compiled and printed.
That department of immigration
be created, to be operated under su-
pervision of the superintendent of
mines, manufactures and agriculture.
That the scope of the state high
way commission be broadened and it's
work encouraged by adequate appro-
Ipriations.
That the pension laws be amended
with a view to dropping from the
rolls the names of all who do not
come strictly within the provisions of
the law, and that such increase as
may be necessary be made in the pen
sion tax until all of the rolls receive
an adequate and uniform amount.
That a state industrial school for
girls be established, a state general
hospital be built and the state re-
form school removed to better To-
cation.
That the revenue system be rene
died to put the state on cash basis
and provide a more adequate income
for the state institutions. Mr.. Hodges
makes no suggestions as to how this
is to be done, but reminds the gov
ernor that the attention of the states
| financial situation should be called
to the legislature and every attempt
made to solve the problem.
That some means be adopted for
examination of measures initiated by
petition and that they be subject to
changes to conform legally to the in
tent implied.
That a uniform system of book
keeping be established for all state
departments and institutions and that
efficiency experts be employed to
direct the placing in operation of
more practical methods of transact
/ A. -.