The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-01-22
CONTROI, BOARD NEEDED


 The governor does not approve the practice of trustees of public institutions visiting the institutions at rare inter yals" He says it is a matter of common knowledge that these institutions are controlled by trustees who visit them at "rare intervals Creation of a board of control and economy, whose duty it shall be to take charge of all charitable insti- tutons under the control of the state is recommended. The board members should give all their time to the management or the affairs of the various institutions. They should employ all officers, super wise the purchase of all supplies and do other things necessary to the proper care and management of the institutions. The message says: This board should also purchase certain supplies for the counties of the state, especially stationery. books and other office supplies. This matter recently was called to my attention by a county official whose letter l quote as follows: I desire to call your attention to the shameful manner in which DIE stationery companies are robbing the counties (and I suppose the state also). Can nothing be done to put stop to this thievery? I refer especially not only to the outrageous prices they charge, but also to the entirely useless books they have forced upon the counties through legislation. Books that are of no value whatever and were only gotten up for the purpose of robbery.
 CONVICT SYSTEM WRONG
 Governor Kilby used strong words in condemning the practice of using con- victs for state gain The system of con- tracting the labor of state conVicts IS reproach to the state, he says. In sup port of this statement he quotes a report Of the legislative investigating commit tee of the 1915 legislature, and shows that "the system is wrong, indefensible and futile. These convicts, he thinks, should be used in developing the coal lands that are owned by the state. further mes sage on this important subject is prom ised the two houses by the chief execu- tive This message will follow when he has made a study of the matter The nationar state and county govern ments should jointly stand the burden of building good roads. He suggests that aE requirements necessary by the govern ment be met by the state and counties in order that aid may be forthcoming i'm mediately He says that the building of good roads is not the only thing neces- cary Provisions to maintain them, he says, must be made The state in the past has failed to make adequate provi-
 sion for the uplleep of the roads after they are built.
 Under the head of extension work in agriculture and home economies the governor asks the legislature to make provisions for the first years work under
 the Smith Lever act of the national Con- gress This should be done without de- lay, reserving to the adjourned session of the legislature consideration of appro- priatons for all subsequent years. The funds of the government are conditioned upon the state giving dollar for dollar. except as to the first $10,000 of the fed eral fund.
 FAIR COMPENSATION A fair, just and workable workmen s compensation bill is suggested by MT Kilby. More than 40 states he says. have enacted such legislation with good results in most cases. He makes brief reference to the, bill authorized by the 1915 legisla- ture, which is before the present legisla- ture for consideration.
 committee of the senate and house should be appointed to sit during the recess that is to be ordered soon, this committee makingsa survey of the states judicial system.
 MT. Kilby believes that the legislature should not be in session more than 15 leg slative or working days. Much impor- tant legislation however. should be got ten out of the way before the summer recess is taken. Already five Legislative days have been consumed, and many i'm portant bills have been acted upon by the two houses.
 Proper regulation of public service util- ities is needed. the governor says, and he promises to send a special message or this matter. The adoption of blue sky laws. which will protect prospective in. vestors from enterprises that are not fairly conceived and honestly conducted l is also suggested All laws that relate l to conditional appropriation, with strings tied to them, should be repealed, the gov. ernor asserts. The greatest possible lib. erality in dealing with the Confederate
 veterans is recommended.