The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1919-01-17
REORGANIZATION OF
STATE GOVERNMENT
Bill introduced Which Would Com
pletely Overhaul State-Boards
and Commissions Reduced.

Boise. Jan. l4.-Striking right at the
heart of his big business problem as
| chief executive of the state of Idaho,
d. w. Davis the new governor of the
state. literally rolled up his sleeves
and waded in today to make good his
promise for business administration
and to put indelibiy the stamp of ac-
ton on his forecast of legislation
contained in his message to the leg
islathre.
In one of the most strikingiy COM
prehensive and most progressive bills
ever introduced. by a governor of a
western state and paralclled by only
one other case in the history of state
Legislation, Governor Davis today in
troduced a bill into the legislature
which takes over forty-eight separate
departments of the state government
and places them under nine heads,
thereby saving the state thousands of
dollars and much needless waste of
time and energy.
But the same legislative act will
create five advisory boards for the
same number of departments which
will constitute expert opinion and will
through its members reflect the
opinions of and represent the public
in way which has not before been
accomplished.
with characteristic business sense
Governor Davis has approached this
business problem just as he would
reorganize a bank or other business
institution should he be responsible
for its success as SUCH" said Speaker
M. A, Kiger of the house today.
No piece of legislation presented to
an Idaho legislature in the history of
the state has before caused the COM
ment heard today. In this comment
there was no adverse criticism. All
legislators seem to agree that its
principle more than stood the test
Many of them knew that political
scientists held no disagreement about
the efficacy of such a plan"
Were the bill to be voted on today
in both houses it would pass by ac-
clamation. But that there will be
some opposition to its enactment into
a law seems certain to observers here.
This will come however from the
office-holder who sees his cynosure
slipping away, say the political wise
acres. These men who now hold Of
| flee and would be displaced under the
governors business efficiency plan
are for the most part rather strong
politically in their homes.
One legislator from northern Idaho
put it this way today. "The fellow
from home who holds job is going
to ask his legislator to protect his
place at the public trough. Ninety
per cent of the MEMBERSHIPS ninety
five per cent. would not run their own
business the way the states business
is run and the public agrees with
them. The way sum II up is that
there will be on the opposition side
the professional, mercenary politician
and opposed to him will be the public
and its good. In view of the supreme
importance Of the measure and the
personal pressure of the self-seeking
office holder on the legislators, I
strongly advise that those interested
In the business good OF the state urge
their representatives to stand fast on
the bill.
What the Bin Provides.
The suprcedance Of forty-eight de-
partments by nine.
The saving of thousands Of dollars
expense.
Making the governor directly ans
werable to the people for the business
efficiency OF his administration.
Provision of a cabinet to advise
with the governor on all important
matters. composed OF heads of de-
partments,
Placing the states finances on a
sound business basis.
Direct representation of the people
through advisory boards composed Of
nine members to serve without pay
for five departments.
To receive expert advise and real
public opinion through the personnel
OF the advisory boards, all the mem
bers of which serve for patriotic
reasons.
No addition of functions but far
more rapid attention to public mat
ters
An elimination Of red tape and con-