The broad ax., 1918-09-07

seventh, Forty-eighth, Forty-ninth and
Fiftieth General Assemblies he was an
pOintei to the most important commit
tees. Prominent among these was the
Republican Steering Committee, as a
member of which, early in his career, he
hslped TO overthrow the notorious ''Sen-
ate Combine" and to reorganize the SEN
ate so that all bills could get a fair
hearing, chairman of committees being
no longer able to smother measures de-
signed by the Senate majority. Since
then Mr.. Ettelson's vote has always
been on the side of open and honorable
legislative procedure and of progressive
legislation.
SOME THINGS SENATOR ETTELsoN
HAS DONE.
New Illinois Code: Helped frame this
law, the most important piece of Hi
nois legislation in 80 years. An uphill
fight through several sessions resulting
in 1917, in a complete new admins
trative code, setting up scientific sys-
TEN for the executive department and
revolutionizing the administrative ma
chinery through centralizing more than
l2j conflicting agencies into nine CORE
lated departments, under cabinet heads
named by the Governor. Was active in
work in 1913 and 1915 Assemblies that
made this law possible.
legislative Efficiency: a member of
the Senate committee that framed the
1917 law for legislative budget and an
efficient business system for the General
Assembly. Helped secure, in 1915, re-
duction in Senate committees from fifty
one to twenty-six, promoting efficiency.
Active for law VETOED by Gov. Dunne)
10 check incompetence, extravaganza and
corruption in state Offices by requiring
itemized reports to the Assembly. One
of original advocates of the Legislative
Reference Bureau which was organized
in 1915, and in 1917 made possible rec
ord in efficiency and number of laws
enacted.
Public Economy: Active in helping
Gov. LOwden oppose extravaganza.
Against bills to increase taxation and
make unjustifable appropriations. OPP
posed measure to pay salary and ex-
Penses of members whose seats were IN
der contest. Voted against paying leg
islatOrs' travelling expenses from state
funds and refused to accept his share of
appropriation. Law afterwards declared
unconstitutional.
Chicago's oficial Representative: As
Corporation Counsel had charge of the
eity's legislative program. Originated
the big bills for better government in
Chicago and fought them through the
Senate against all opposition, only to see
them lost in the House. Success would
have given back to the voters of Chi
eago complete power to regulate all pub
he utilities, and would have made pos
slble for the city a modern traction sys-
ten, with subways under control of the
people, and unified operation of al"
and surface lines, with universal trans
Ter. Mr.. Ettelson forced similar meas
ures through the 1915 Senate, but these
failed to get House majority.
Consolidation of Chicago Taxing Bod
les: Worked in committee and on the
1oor Of the Senate to secure 1915 reform
law providing for consolidation of Chi
eago ; numerous conflicting taxing bod
les, thereby making for efficiency and
economy. Long a worker for this re-
form.
Highest Interest on Public Funds:
Helped enact 1915 law requiring Cook
County Treasurer to secure, by open bid
The highest possible rate of interest on
public funds. Author of 1907 law COM
peii'ng state treasurer to turn over to the
people interest on all state funds. These
and other similar measures for which he
mas voted have saved the people mil