Omaha daily bee., 1918-08-10
M'kELvIE FINDS
ILLINOIS CODE
effective plan
Makes Statement Of Manner in
Which Budget System Has
Worked in Year Since
Adoption.

Lincoln, Aug. 9.-(Special.)-S. R.
McKelvie, republican candidate for
governor, recently went to Spring
field, III. to study the operation of
the Illinois civil administrative code
adopted by the last legislative ses-
sion in Illinois.
"The code was adopted at the in
, stance of Governor Lowden," said
Mr.. McKelvie, "who was elected at
the last general election. Being a
man of large business experience, it
was his opinion that great saving
might be effected TO the state through
a more business-like administration
tof the states affairs. 1t was upon
this issue that he made his CAM
paign, but there were few, even
among his friends, who felt that he
would be able to bring about the
= wonderful Improvement in the ad-
ministration of state business, that
has been effected through the new
code law.
State Budget Plan.
Il The dominant ideas of the ad-
mlnistrative code are GENERALIZATION,
cooperation, supervision and a state
budget. In order that these results
might be accomplished it was neces-
sary to originate nine different de-
partments or divisions. These de-
partments supplanted over 100 boards
and commissions which had previous
ly had charge of the work that is
now being done under the code de-
partments.
The departments are presided over
by men selected by the governor
and the code is sufficiently shorn of
unnecessary restrictions, that the de-
partment directors are unhampered
in a business-like administration of
the matters that come within their
puryiew.
Picks Men of Capacity.
. 1t should be noted also that in Sc
lecting the directors to man these de-
j rartments Governor Lowden waved
aside the question of political avail
ability and chose men who have
proven their capacity in the business
world.
For instance, Mr.. Thorn, who is
ylan of large means and is better
known as the head of Montgomery
+ WaV & Co., was prevailed upon to
accept the dictatorship of one depart
lnent. The very important depart
1nent of finance which has charge of
the money saving and budget making
end OF the administration is Omar
Wright who is we'll known through
out Illinois as a successful banker,
farmer and man of large business af-
fairs.
- In Effect for Year.
THE code has been in effect now
ore year and a report that has just
been issued. by the governor makes
this gratifying showing:
Despite cost increases incident to
the war, varying from IS and 800 per
cent, the nine departments under the
administrative code actually effected
a saving for the fiscal year ended
d tiiS w last, VI PG1O,oUC, TlSuIcS LOT
the entire state show there are now
3,5l7 employed at q state institu-
: tions, compared with 1876, a year
ago. reduction of $50. Il
Summarizing the operation of the
civil administrative code one author
ity said: 1t is modern business
sgumption applied to state affairs
Commenting upon the attitude of
Nthe people generally toward this new
business program, another, gentleman
OF large acquaintance said: The sue
cess of this program is one thing up
on which the people of Illinois are all
agreed. We consider it the most sub
stantial Improvement that has ever
been made in this state by way of
eliminating leaks, wastes. and lost
motion in handling the business af-
fairs of the state"