The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1919-01-14
CONSOLIDATION BILL
UP AT BOISE TODAY
IMPORTANT MATTER URGED BY
GOVERNOR DAVIS is NOW
BEING CONSIDERED

BOISE, Jan. 14.-Striking right at
the heart of his big business problem
as chief executive of the state of
Idaho, D. w. Davis, the new governor
of the state, literally rolled up his
sleeves and waded in today to make
good his promise for a business adj
ministration and to put indelibly the
stamp of action on his forecast of
legislation contained in his message
to the legislature.
In one of the most strikingly COM
prehensive and most progressive bills
ever introduced by a governor of a
western state and paralelled by only
one other case in the history of state
legislation, Governor Davis today in
troduced a bill into the legislature
which takes over forty-eight separate
departments of the state government
and places them under nine heads,
thereby saving the state thousands of
dollars and much needless waste of
time and energy.
But the same legislative act will
create five advisory boards for the
same number of departments which
will constitute expert opinion and will
through it's members reflect the opin-
ions of and represent the public in
way which has not before been ac-
complished.
"With characteristic business sense
Governor Davis has approached this
business problem just as he would re-
organize a bank or other business in
stitution should he be responsible for
its success as such," said Speaker M.
A. Kiger of the house today.
r .s-1, 14o1
to an Idaho legislature in the history
of the state has before caused the
comment heard today. In this COM
ment there was no adverse criticism.
All legislators seem to agree that its
principle more than stood the test;
Many of them knew that political
scientists held no disagreement about
the efficacy of such plan.
Were the bill to be voted on today
in both houses it would pass by ac-
c1amation. But that there will be
some opposition to its enactment into
a law seems certain to observers here,
This will come however from the Of
fice-holder who sees his cynosure slip
ping away, say the political wise
flee and would be displeased under
plan are for the most part rather
strong politically in their homes.
One legislator from northern Idaho
put it this way today: "The fellow
from home who holds a job is going
to ask his legislator to protect his
place at the public trough Ninety
per cent of the members-yes ninety
five per cent, would not run their own
+l1 +atc
is run and the public agrees with
there will be on the opposition side
he professional, mercenary politician
and opposed to him will be the public
and it's good. In view of the supreme
Of the measure and the
personal pressure of the elf-seeking
office holder on the legislators, l
strongly advise that those interested
n the business good of the state urge
heir representatives to stand fast on
he bill.
What the Bill Provides.
The supercedance of forty-eight de-
,artments by nine.
The saving of thousands of dollars
expense.
Making the governor directly an
Werable to the people for the bus1-
less efficiency of his administration
Provision of a cabinet to advise
With the governor on all important
natters, composed of heads of de-
artments.
Placing of state finances on a sound
usiness basis.
Direct representation of the people
trough advisory boards composed of
inc members to serve without pay
Or five departments.
To receive expert advice and real
ublic opinion through the personnel
f the advisory boards, all the mem
ers of which serve for patriotic
easons.
No addition of functions but a far
ore rapid attention to public mat
RS.
An elimination of red tape and con-
sstion of public affairs.