Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-03-03
GOVERNOR WILL
BE GIVEN EXPERTS
Provision For Best Brains to
Be at the Disposal of Gov
ernor on Big Projects

Authority for the Governor to
employ experts and consultants not
only for the making of plans for
public improvements, but to keep
him informed of the progress made
SO that he shall have the benefit of
the best advice in his approval of
bills and the creation of a special
fund for the purpose of paying them
such sums as are deemed advisable
in the judgment of the State execu-
tive will be asked of the Legislature
in an administration measure now
being drafted. Such expert advice
would protect the Governor and the
State alike in the huge program of
road and building construction about
to be undertaken and also provide
a means whereby future operations
could be studied and plans made for
submission to the next Legislature.
The idea was broached a short
time ago. the lessons learned in
years gone by having evidently
been considered and is understood
to have the approval of the fiscal
and other officers of the State who
would share in the expert advice
with the Governor in meeting the
RESPONSIBILITIES incumbent upon
them.
Legislative policy in recent years
has been to increase the duties OF
the Governor, already entrusted
with the duty of directing the ousi,
ness of the State and approving an
contracts for supplies and cohstrue-
tion and equipment of such pulio-
ings as pertain to the State Capltoi;;
The Governor has to approve
bills of the Public Grounos anu M
Buildings, Health, Forestry haDof ",
and Industry, Agriculture ana Iiiii-
tary departments, IN aoo!Sloh
those for construction of the new
western penitentiary, a gigantic task
involving millions of dollars every
wear The requirement that he sign
contracts for all road and slmllar
construction work of any magnl-
mark project will add to this pur-
den and tax the force at mana lor
his protection, while everything rel
alive to the Capitalization OF the
State government in HARRISBURG
nust also go to him for approVal:
Few State executives or heaus VI
railroads or industrial corporations
have the detail thrust upon him that
is the duty of the Governor OF Penn-
sylvania, who must also plan aheao
and formulate the policy OF the
Commonwealth, which under the
Sproul plan will call for the most
extensive constructive enterprises
ever known in the State ana lor
important changes in methoos anu
means of the government. Inc SA-
mansion due to the needs of the
time and the readJustment Will aou
to the responsibilities.
In providing for these consultants
to give the Governor such advice as
he may want and to guide him IN
meeting his responsibilities not only
in checking up for approval, but IN
interest of good business, the idea
in q draft of a bill being made is
that he be authorized ito employ
such consultants - architectural.
engineering or otherwise = account
ants, Investigators, inspectors and
clerks, as he may deem necessary
and to fix their salaries, wages and
fees, to assist him in formulation of
plans for construction or improve
ment work, proposed or already un-
dertaken; to keep him informed
whether such work is being per-
formed in accordance with the
terms and conditions contained in
contracts. "In addition the consult
ants could be called in Ito assist in
formulation of plans and policies
for proposed improvement and
construction w ork of any magni-
ttude" and for determining upon
the best methods for carrying such
plans and policies into effect.
The State already has a noted
architect working on the Capitol
park plans in Arnold W. Drummer,
who created the Denver and Cleve-
land civic centers.