The sun., 1919-01-02
SMITH MESSAGE
URGES RADICAL
STATE CHANGES
Governor Would Replace
Public Service Boards by
3 Single Commissioners.
Is FOR CITY OWNERSHIP
Wants state Police Abolished
Opposes Further Direct
Tax on Realty.

ALBANY, Jan. Ia great variety ok
legislation. some OF 1t radical in its
nature compared with anything New
, Sork has had, is recommended by Gov.
Smith In his first message, read to the
Legislature Tonight.
He would abolish the two Public Ser
vice Commissions Of Ave members each
and substitute for them three Commits
eioners-one to fnish the New York
eubways. one TO regulate public utilities
I'm the city, one to do the work now
Done by the upstate commission.
IIe would grant to cities the power
70 acqune, own, operate and control
their public utilities.
lie would establish health insurance
for workers including maternity IN
eurance lin the interest OF posterity and
OF the race"
He would abolish the State Police, at
saving of $4,000 q year, and the
Office OF Warden OF the Port OF New
York. now held by ten Republicans, VINO
set $4,000 a year apiece.
He would establish a Minimum Wage
Commission empowered TO fix the Nv
ing wage 10 be paid to women and
minors
Plans q MIX Com mission.
To reduce the cost OF milk he would
appoint an investigating commission
representing producer, distributor and
consumer
He would extend the labor law TO
protect women who have entered new
Industries because OF the ar.
He announces that he will appoint a.
once a Reconstruction Commission,
which will work through county
branches with a view to providing jobs
for returned soldiers and sailors and
recommending measures of taxation
bearing equally upon all classes. This
commission also will be empowered TO
carry out the social reforms which the
Governor advocates in his message.
Regarding appropriations, he says he
Is opposed to any direct State tax on
real estate in excess OF the sums re.
CURED to meet the annual payments tC
the State sinking funds and bond inter
est. This means that the states loss OF
e6,ooo,000 from the liquor revenue must
be met by indirect taxation. Below are
the principal sections OF the message
under special titles.
RECONsTRUCTIoN
1.-The problems OF reconstruction thai
will confront US may be divided into
two classes
First. thoss OF n temporary nature
which call for immediate measures OF
relief. such as the care OF the heroic
INJURED. lIle lllIIONtTItutu IdlntiE ana
the orphan child. They are certainly
entitled to the care and protection OF
the State Likewise the question o.
unemployment as a result Of readjust.
ment cries 10 US for an immediate rem
edy,
Among the temporary tasks of re-
construction which confront us not on.
is more important than extending heY
To returning soldiers. Many of these
rx-ii ant Ia. for ,,.in
can live wholesome, satisfying lives in
the open country. Naturally a large
part OF those who seek this field are al
ready fitted for that life. All the al.
He'd countries except the United States
have made generous provision for help
ing soldiers to become established II
the country under congenial conditions
This country can do no less.
THE Secretary of the Interior has
submitted 10 the country a CAREFUL,
prepared plan Of cooperation between
the Federal Government and the State,
for creating soldier settlements in ever,
State that wishes to participate. II /,
becoming more and more apparent thai
the ability and the experience Of oui
agricultural leaders should be modified
90 create planned rural development
which Will include cooperative organl
cation for buying and selling. a system
OF credit that will give broader oppor
tunlties for men OF small capital 10 be
come farm owners and a better socla
life.
THE soldier settlements proposed b,
Secretary Lane aims to bring into op
GRAFTON all OF these agencies for rura
progress. ! am informed there ar,
thousands of unused but really very gooC
farms available In all sections OF IN,
State, and these farms can be obtained
under proper arrangement for those whit
want 10 secure them. The present ma
chinery of the State will readily tax,
care of this need.
THE second class would be perman
ent problems of reconstruction which
will give 10 our people a fun realization
OF democracy at home. the ideal TO
which they fought SO valiantly TO Sc
cure for all the world.
in the second group there comes 4
my mind problems pressing for solution
as follows:
The enactment OF measures Of tax
alton, which viii bear equally upon
all classes OF our people.
Provision must ~ made for the
production and distribution Of the nee
essaries Of life, so that the people
may obtain them at the lowest cost
We must enact more stringent and
more universal laws for the pro:ec-
ton OF the health comfort, welfare
and efficiency of our people.
Tho problems Of finance and bank
Ing, as well as the questions OF sani-
tation. unemployment. labor, the posi-
ton of women in industry. edura-
don and military training need soll!-
tion as peace measures
The readjustment of costs produce
,on and distribution OF food,tuffs and
fuel, wages and employment alone
present very large problems.