The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1919-08-21
BOISE.-"Let me have results"

at the first meeting of his state cabi-
net. By way of reply the commits
ers of the states nine thoroughly
centralized and co-ordinated depart
ments have begun to accomplish big
things for Idaho.
For several years political scient-
lists have been agreed that the theory
upon which the Davis law is based is
J induitably sound. In Idaho as well
as in other states, the measure was
opposed, conscientiously in many in
stances, by individuals who raised the
hue and cry of impracticability
Four months of operation of the
new scheme in Idaho seem to have
proven conclusively that the skeptic
must cast aside his skepticism, that
the doubter may cling no longer to
his doubt. That thorough going eff
ficiency which proponents of the
Davis law had anticipated is dem
onstrating itself in results.
Red tape and costly duplication
have been supplanted by direct action
and centralization. Idaho is expere-
encing the dawn of a new era in civil
administration.
Splendid nonpartisanship has char
acterized the attitude of many per-
sons of oposing political faiths who
have placed the stamp of unqualified
approval on the new law Perhaps
the most striking of these expressions
came recently from prominent
democrat who served the state as
chief executive and who knows the
responsibilities attendant upon that
office.
"The Davis law. providing for the
consolidation of state governmental
functions" declared former Governor
James H. Hawley, "is the best piece
of legislation placed in the laws of
Idaho since the adoption of the con-
stitution."
Capitalization of authority and re-
sponsibility is having two marked eff
fects. 1t is bringing better men into
public life and it is arousing in the
people higher regard for their duty
in the matter of selecting executives
capable of managing their great
governmental business.
In past years many business and
professional men have hesitated to
take state office because of what
they thought might prove concomit-
ant loss of caste. Under the new
system, however, able business men
can be drafted because they are called
to departmental headships which en-
able them to use and display to best
advantage the intellect and energy
they possess.
Definite fixing of responsibility is
a salient feature of the Davis law. |
Authority has been so centralized |
that the public official is answerable |
for the success or failure of his ad-
1t is obvious that the
public will exercise increased care in
selecting men to whom duties so
vitality important are to be delegated.
Results achieved by four months of
the actual operation of the new sys-
tenn may readily be determined by
reference to reports made at meet
ings of the governors cabinet. In
the following paragraphs will be
found "high lights" taken from the
of the various commits
sioners.
Idaho's north and south highway,
subject of oratorical froth for the
past six state campaigns, will have
become a substantial reality by the
summer of 1921, according to William
J. Hall, commissioner of the depart
nent of public works, under whose
more than $15,000,000
will be expended for road improve
nents, in the coming biennium.
Commissioner Hall, who in addition /
o directing the bureau of highways,
llso is supervising the construction
# the new wings being added to the j
apitol building, advising in the man
cement of the state bureau of sup t
lies and striving to make Hepburn {
'ark both accessible and attractive, s
las not declared that the north and &
outh highway promises to be a |
oulevard in 1921, but he has an I
ounced that the entire route will be {
afely passable for cars of every de- /
cription by that time.
Contracts will be let August % for
york on this prospective artery of d
ravel and commerce involving :,
otal of $679,O00 and construction of !
$288,000 bit of the road is now :
nder way. Completion of these two y
)bs will eliminate the hazard now en- :
allied in. north and south passage by :
uto. !;
Several thousand dollars already v
ave been saved the state through y
le bureau of supplies over which Mr.. l
all has jurisdiction. The ability of n
le state purchasing agent to obtain
beral quantity discounts on all staple S
rticles has resulted in economies
hich cannot be computed accurately a
ecause of the lack of basis of COM a
arison, but which are expected to o.
Zach substantial figure before the
Id of the biennium. 3
The public works commissioner 0,
redicts that the new capitol wings W
i'll be ready in time to house the ct
xteenth session of the Idaho legis- OF
ture if costs Of construction begin "
ithin the next few months to gravi- 81
tie toward a normal level. However, G,
construction costs remain unrea- ri
oly high, it may prove necessary W
postpone the completion of the 81
hiding for some time. W