The sun., 1919-09-22
PLANS BUSINESS
MACHINE TO RUN
STATE AFFAIRS
Elkus Commissions Report
Cuts 1873 Departments
and Boards to 16.
GOVERNOR RESPONSIBLE
Economic Reforms Adopted in
Many Other States Basis
for Reconstruction.
GOVERNOR RESPONSIBLE

The Reconstruction Commission, or
which Abram ]. Elkus. former Ambas-
sador to Turkey, is the head, recon-
mends q complete reorganization OF
The State Government Of New York.
the proposed plan. in the form of a
report to Gov Smith prepared by the
commissions committee on retrench-
ment, the chairman of which is AL
bert Z. Marling. president of Horace
&. Ely & Co., real estate brokers, will
be presented for consideration at a
public hearing in the Aldermanic
Chamber, City Hall. Wednesday morn
ing at 10 o'clock.
The committees recomrnendations pro-
vide In brief for the consolidation of
is7 administrative departments. commits
sions, offices. boards and other agencies
into total of sixteen departments. The
principle is adopted that the Governor,
as the responsible mead of the Govern
snent shall have the power to choose the
department. heads. The number Of cleo
tive administrative officers under the
plan is reduced TO two. the Governor and
the State Comptroller, who will act as
an Independent financial officer. Con-
Armaton of Gubernatorial nominations
by the State Senate Is retained under the
proposed new scheme.
The Governors term of Office. the
commission advises, should be ex-
tsaded from two to four years, and
budget system be inaugurated vesting
In the Governor the full responsibility
for presenting to the Legislature each
year a consolidated budget Of all ex-
rnditures which in his opinion must be
Undertaken by the State.
Would Create Business Machine.
The suggestions as laid down in the
report would make the Governor the
real head of great business enterprise
and would hold him accountable to the
people for the proper running OF the
business machine through the department.
heads whom he selects.
The commission points out that the
recommendations require constitutional
changes in some cases. statutory revi-
tions in others, and in still others only
Administrative changes. No constitu-
tionai changes could be made effective
until January I, 1922, since amendments
approved at the next session OF the
legislature must also be approved oy
the Legislature of 1921 and must then
be approved by a majority OF the voters
Rt the election in November, 1921.
Need for retrenchmelt is shown by
the fact, the commission indicates. that
the general budget appropriation In the
State for the next fiscal year for all
purposes amounted TO over $9b, 100000.
The estimated resources were not sufii-
eient to meet this amount Between
$4,000, 900 and $20.000,0oo had to be
provided by new legislation, not includ-
ing provisions for increasing local re-
sources, which brought the total re-
uuired up TO about $60,000,o0o. This
made the passage of the new income
tax law necessary.
zone of the possible benefits of an In
eome tax" the commission says, will
be the development among the citizens
Of the State generally OF more vital
Interest in State organization ana ex-
penditures"
Example Set by other States.
The commission declares common
sense dictates that New York should
FIRST OF all study carefully the steps
which have been taken elsewhere along
lines Of retrenchment and economy In
administration. In making its inquiry
The commission found that in nearly
every State public attention has been
forcihly drawn to the necessity OF re-
ducing expenditures or at least hold
ing them to the lowest point possible,
II concluded that the movement for
economy and efficiency has passed be-
fond the stage of protest and discus
sion"
The budget recommendation the
report says, 'rhave passed beyond the
theoretical stage, for thirty eight States
nave enacted legislation for consoli-
dated budget system with varying pro-
visions as to methods of preparation
legislative review and enactment in law.
hat OF these States have placed the
responsibility for initiating the budget
SQuarely upon the Governor"
As for the principle of consolidating
and reorganizing boards. the commission
continues, the State of Illinois, COM
parable to New York in wealth and
population, by an act of 1916 swept
away los offices and agencies and con.
sohdated the Government into nine great
departments Nebraska in 1919 reduced
eighty-two departments and agencies Il
sx administrative departments. six con
sututional officers and four constitu
uonai boards. Idaho by the act OF
Seoruary 10. 1919, abolished a long isl
OF offiees boards and commissions and
created instead nine departments OF
eiWl administration.
Eastern States Taking Action.
Delaware has under consideration
proposals for reorganization Of III sep
srate boards, departments and conn
missions Into nine departments under
.he authority OF the Governor. Th,
1payers Association of Calfornif
proposes TO set up in that State twelve
administrative departments. The Com
monwealth OF Massachusetts by ccnsti
iuaonAl provision In 1917 prepared tn,