The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1919-01-17
Governor Simpifes
State Government
Introduce a Measure for Reduce
ing Forty-eight Depart
ments to Nine
EXECUTIVE LOSES NO TIME

the heart of his big business problem
as chief executive of the State OF
Idaho, D. w. Davis the new governor
of the stae, literally rolled up his
sleeves and waded in today to make
good his promise for a business ad-
ministration and to put indelibly the
stamp of action on his forecast of leg
islation contained in his message to
the legislature.
In one of the most strikingly CON-
prehensive and most progressive bills
ever introduced by a governor of a
western state and parallel by
only one other case in the history OF
state legislation, Governor Davis to-
day introduced q bill into the legis-
lature which takes over f0rty=eight
separate departments OF the state
government and places them under
heads thereby saving the state thou
sands of dollars and much nee1iess'
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 ~opinton and
thru its members reflect the opinions
OF and represent the public In a way
which has not before been accom-
plished.
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 it's 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 efficiency Of such a plan.
We're the bill to be voted on to-
day in both houses it would pass by
acclamation. But that there will be
some opposition to its enactment into
q law seems certain to observers
here. This will come, however, from
the officer-holder who sees his
cynosure slipping away, say the po-
| litical wiseacres. These men who
now hold Office and would be dis
placed 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 q job ia
going to ask his legislator to pro-
tect his place at the Public trough.
Ninety per cent Of the members
yes 95 per cent, would not run their
own business the way the states
business is run and the public agrees
with them. The way sum 1t up Ia
that there will be on the opposition
side the professional, mercenary po-
litician and opposed to him will be
the public and its good. In view OF
the supreme importance of the meas
ure and the personal pressure Of the
self-seeklng Office holder on the leg.
islators, I strongly advise that those
/ interested in the business good of the
state urge their representatives tc
stand fast on the bill.
What the Bill Provides
The supercedance Of forty-eigh'
departments by nine.
The saving Of thousands Of dollars
expense.
Making the governor directly an
swerable to the people for the busi
ness efficiency of his administration
Provision Of a cabinet to advise
with the governor on all important
matters, composed of heads Of de
partments.
Placing of state finances on {
sound business basis.
Direct representation Of the people
thru advisory boards composed O
nine members to serve without pa!
for five departments.
To receive expert advise and rea
public, opinion thru the personnel o
the advisory boards, all the member
Of which serve for patriotic reasons
No addition Of functions but a fal
more rapid attention to public mat
ters.
An elimination Of red tape and con
gestion of public affairs.