Newark post., 1919-07-23
TOO MANY OVER
LAPPINC AGENCIES
IN THE STATE
Expert Makes Criticism OF
State and County
Government


third and last of the series of lee
lures dealing with the Delaware
State Survey was delivered by
Chester c. MaXey Of the New York
Bureau of Municipal Research,
whose particular work in the Sru-
vey, dealt with the county. He
discussed specific needs of Della
wares administrative problems
and brought to light many de-
ficiencies in state government.
Among other things, he said the
State is still issuing bonds 10 re-
fund bonds issued in 1865, and
that the State is suffering a def
cheney of Sll5.000 in its sinking
fund.
He pointed out that whatever in
efficiency and corruption may exist
here is due 10 the compleXity Of
the State organization, which must
be Simplifed if we are to De lead
erS among the States Of this Union.
He deplored the conditions now
existing in the State Health De-
partment, criticiSing not the laws
intended 10 safeguard the public
health. but the loosene$s with
which they are enforced.
The United States Census Bu-
reau." said ne. wouldn't even ac-
cept our vital statistics" In the
field of agriculture. too, ne said
that with all our wealth and fer
tjlity of the soil We are q back
number.
This, ne pointed out. Is due to
the lack of one responsible depart
ment for each essential field Of
State government.
We have III separate and in
dependent governing agencies in
this State" which, as he put it,
are "criss-cross!ng" and often
times overlapping each others
functions.
Due to the lack Of responsible
and responsive government agenc-
les. we have inefic;ency and neg
Iigence Of duty. In one Of the State
Offices, Mr.. NaXey said. the office
holder drawing $500 a year
comes TO his Office once every ten
days. while clerk does the work
for $1,000 a year.
In another case an oficehoider
never came into the office for SIX
months in succession. These and
other evils, according TO Mr.. Max
ey. inherent IN the very organiza-
t;on Of the State government more
than in the Individual trying TO
run the State. can be remedied
only by the institution Of fewer
departments with heads reSponsi-
ble 70 the governor.
Mr. Naxev recommended that
nine departments be substituted
for the III now endeavorirg 70
manage the States business.
The eyes Of the people" ne
said. are on the governor Of a
State. and It ts ne whom the peo-
pie ought % hold responsible for
the management of the State and
for the placing Of competent men
at heads of the various depart
men-s, instead Of the multiplicity
Of elective officers, TOO numerous
70 be watched. and therefore out of
control Of the people. We want TO
take politics out Of the atmin:stra-
i've end Of the government. Il be-
longs IN the legislature where
policies are discussed and con-
-roverste> settled"
He pictured for his audience
the possibilities Of the State under
the suggested form Of government
iIliteracy abolished. public
health safeguarded, crime scien-
t.fcally controlled. poverty un-
necessary. the exploitation Of labor
eliminated, agriculture stimulated
TO maximum production. satiSfac-
tory transportation facilities pro-
vided, the waste and corruption Of
petty politics eradicated - these
are possibilities Of reorganized
State government: not Utopian
dreams.
Tangible results are possible
sooner here than in other states
first. because of It's size; and sec
ond, because Of its large resources
Of property in proportion to its
size.
Deaware with double the pro-
portionate wealth of Maryland
does not begin to bear a proper
tionate rate Of taxation. Delaware
has a unique position among the
-