New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-01-02
Governor Smith Wants Single Headed
u. S. Commission TO Cure Transit EUiIs
Continued from page |

by special measures which must place
the burden equally upon classes, but
which must not further load real es-
tate on pain of disaster to the entire
state. Dealing with the urgent need
for economy, he said useless Offices
must be abolished
AS to prohibition Mr. Smith made
the recommendation expected of him
He urges the Legislature to enact a
measure submitting to the electorate
of the state the question Of ratifying
the Federal constitutional amendment
Would Reduce H. c. L.
AS legislative programme the new
State Executive laid out the following
Enactment Of provision for the pro
duction and distribution of the neces-
saries Of life so that people may obtain
them at lower cost
More stringent and universal laws
for the protection of health and the
welfare and efficiency of the people.
Legislation bearing upon the prob
lens of finance and banking, SANTA
ton, unemployment, labor, the status
of women in industry, education and
military training-all of which, he
said, needed solution as peace time
measures.
Under the head of social legislation
the Governor declared that enactments
TO protect women and children were an
imperative necessity. In this line he
suggested maternity insurance and the
enactment of health insurance law to
afford relief for the families of the
poor.
Home Rule Is Favored
The Governor also recommended
legislation granting large powers of
local government to cities, together
with the power to go into the business
Of operating their own public utilities
The Governors labor recommends
lions include measures to take labor
out of the classification of commod-
ties, to extend existing labor laws to
provide for women brought into indus
try as a result Of the war, extension
of the child labor law and to bring oc-
cupational diseases as we'll as occupa-
tional injuries within the purvieW of
the compensation law, which is now
limited N its provisions to accidental
injuries.
The Governor said he was now max
ing an investigation of the additional
costs of such compensation and that
this, with plans for the reinstatement
Of the National Guard in the state
militia, conservation Of resources and
reform of correctional and prison meth
obs, would be the subject OF future
oommunicati ons.
Wants Fewer on Boards
Concluding his address, the Govern
or said there were too many state COM
missions and boards, and that most of
the work of the state could be per-
formed by single headed commissions
such as he proposed in the case Of the
present Public Service Commissions
In the interest of economy he also sug-
gested that the practice of granting
lump sums in lieu of travelling ex-
penses should oe discontinued, and
that state officials should travel as
little as possible.
Referring to the special commiss ions
and boards appointed during the war
emergency, he said they should be put
out of business at once, and unexpend-
ed balances of their appropriations
turned back INTO the State Treasury.
Crimes against the ballot box, the
Governor declared illustrated the i'm
perative need of legislative action
directed toward codifying provisions
for penalties respecting such violations
and incorporation within the penal
law, rather than in the election laws.
Plans for Reconstruction
nS RECONSTRUCTION programme WAS
the first matter considered in the mes
sage.
with the Christmas hymn. Peace
on earth to men Of good WILL still
ringing in our ears" said the Governor,
we begin the new year full of thanks
giving for the safe return of our sol
diers and sailors, and all our citizens
who offered themselves that the prin-
clples upon which this great Republic
was founded might endure.
Our hearts go out to the afflicted
families who have but the memory Of
their loved ones, and the sight of the
sick and wounded puts the pang Of sor-
row in our hearts,
The problems of reconstruction. the
Governor added were divided into two
classes.
First he said. ARE those Of tenn
porary nature. which call for imme
date measures Of relief, such as the
care Of the heroic injured, the impov-
erished family and the orphan.
Soldiers Need Jobs
Among the temporary tasks of re-
construction which confront US not one
is more important than extending help
to returning soldiers. Many of these
Will went to go to the farm. where they
can live wholesome, satisfying lives in
the open country. Naturally, a large
part Of those who seek this field are
already fitted for that life. All the
Allied countries. except the United
States. have made generous provision
for helping soldiers to become estab-
llshed In the country under congenial
conditions. This country can do no
less.
"The Secretary of the Interior has
submitted to the country carefully
prepared plan of cooperation between
the Federal government and the states
for creating soldier settlements in
every state that wishes to participate.
tt is becoming more and more apparent
that the ability and the experience Of
our agricultural leaders should be mob
ilized to create planned rural devel-
opment which will include cooperative
organization for buying and selling. a
system of credit that will give broader
opportunities for men Of small capital
TO become farm owners, and a better
social life.
"The soldier settlements proposed
BY Secretary Lane aim TO bring into
operation all OF these agencies for
rural progress. | am informed there
are thousands Of unused but really
very good farms available in all sec
tons of the state, and these farms can
be obtained under proper arrangement
for those who want to secure them.
The present machinery of tho state will
readily take care Of this need.
State Will Cooperate
"The cooperation Of New York with
the Federal government would show