The sun., 1919-09-22
PLANS TO RUN STATE
ON BUSINESS BASIS


way for a consolidation of the numer-
Gus offices and agencies OF that State.
Similar programmes of retrenchment Ind
reorganization are under way in other
States
There Is now in New York state what
is called in the report "a miscellaneous
collection" of 1877 offices, boards, COM
missions and other agencies in the al
ministrative branch of our present State
Government, many of which will be
wiped out altogether IL the new scheme
of retrenchment and reorganization ever
goes through.
The proposed departments which the
commissions plan sets forth are suffi-
cient for the proper conduct OF the
States business, are listed as follows:
Executive Department.
Departmental Audit and Control
Department of Taxation and Finance.
Department of Public Works
Department Of Attorney General.
Department of State.
Department of Conservation.
Department of Agriculture and Markets.
Department OF Labor.
Department of Education.
Department of Health.
Department of Mental Hygiene, Chari-
ties and Correction.
Public Service Commissions.
Department Of Banking and Insurance
Department of Civil Service.
Department of Military and Naval AZ
fairs.
The report says that the 1877 various
bodies in the administrative branch are
nearly all Independent of one another,
and most of them are subject to no di-
rect supervision BY superior authority"
Governor mt DISADVANTAGES.
Numerous department heads are made
virtually Independent for long terms" 1t
says, "but to the Governor is given only
a two year term. On entering office a
new Governor finds that plans and esti-
mates for his first year are already COM
piled and before the Legislature.
During his second year the Governor
is always on the eve OF another election.
II should also be borne in mind that
owing to political traditions the Governor
cannot assume vigorous supervision over
the numerous State agencies without be-
ing regarded as a trespasser on the
vested rights of the incumbents.
THE many headed administrative
structure Of New York, which scarcely
deserves the name of organization. has
grown up mainly as a result of hap
hazard methods of legislation. by which
new offices, boards and agencies are
no reference to the existing authorities.
Another cause contributing to the
present chaotic system has been the ira
ditional fear of the Governor. fear
which runs back to the royal Governors
who preceded the American Revolution.
When the Constitution of 17T7 was
drawn It revealed the natural distrust Of
the Executive, which prevailed every
where in those stormy days. At no time
in the history of the State has the Ex-
ecutive enjoyed an appointing and re-
moving power commensurate with his
duties.
"a third cause of the present system Is
the time worn theory OF checks and bal
ances which attaches great virtue to
having a number Of elective officers act
ing as a check and sharing the admins
trative power and to the creation OF ex-
officio boards in which some or all of
these officers. including In several cases
/, members of the Legislature, are MEM
bers.
Existing System Is Condemned.
1.-THE existing system of adminlstra-
ton stands condemned by its obviously
Objectionable features. 1t is a vast bust
ness enterprise divided into more than
$50 parts. each running along its own
lines, without a responsible head. The
Constitution says that the executive
power shall be vested in the Governor,
but at the same time the Constitution
and the laws strip him OF the instru-
ments for exercising that power. The
officers, commissioners and agents who
do the business eff the State are not re-
| sponsible to one authority; they are
| appointed and removed by many meth
eds Their terms overlap and their ten
ures vary. No Governor can be held
responsible for the policies and conduct
OF high officers whom he does not APP
point and whom he cannot remove. 1t
| is clear that II New York wants re-
| trenchment and efficient government 1t
must make some one responsible who
| can be held to account and give him
power commensurate with his obliga-
| tions, There is no other way"
The Commission concluded that re-
trenchment and responsibility in the
government of the State of New York