Payette enterprise. (Payette, Canyon Co., Idaho) 1909-1935, 1919-08-28

and command formed the keynote o
an address made by Governor D. w
Davis at the first meeting of his stat
cabinet BY way of reply the com
inissioners of the states nine thor
oughiy centralized and co-ordinateS
departments have begun to accom-
lish big things for Idaho.
For several years political scien
fists have been agreed that tbs
theory upon which the Davis law il
based is individually sound. In Idaho
RS well as in other states. the mea
sure was opposed. conseientiously il
many instances, by individuals who
raised the hue and cry of Impractical
bility.
Four months OF operation of ths
new scheme in Idaho seem to have
proven conclusively that the skeptit
must cast aside his skepticism. that
the doubter may cling no longer tc
his doubt That thoroughgoing eff
cheney which proponents of the
Davis law had anticipated is demon,
strating itself in results.
Red tape and costly duplication
have been supplanted by direct &C
ton and Capitalization. Idaho is
experiencing the dawn of new era
in civil administration.
Splendid nonpartisanship has char
acterized the attitude of many per-
sons of opposing political faiths who
have placed the stamp of unqualified
approval on the new law. Perhaps
the most striking of these express
sions came recently from a promi-
nent Democrat who has served the
state as chief executive and who
knows the responsibilities attend
ant upon that office
The Davis law providing for the
consolidation of state governmental
functions. declared former Cover
nor James H. Hawiey. lis the best
piece OF legislation placed in the
laws of Idaho since the adoption OF
the constitution
Capitalization of authority and
responsibility is having two marked
effects. II is bringing better men
into public life and it is arousing in
the people a higher regard for their
duty in the matter of selecting exc
cutives capable of managing their
great governmental business.
In past years many business and
men have hesitated to
take a state office because of what /
they thought might prove concomit- |
ant loss of caste Under the new
system. however. able business men l
can be drafted because they are I
called to departmental headships /
which enable them to use and dis
play to best advantage the intellect /
and energy they possess. 4
Definite fixing of responsibility is (:
i salient feature of the Davis Law
Authority has been so centralized
hat the public official is answerable /
'or the success or failure of his adj Ii
1t is obvious that the a
public will exercise increased care .
II selecting men TO whom duties SO Ii
italy important are to be delegated b
Results achieved by four months In
4 the actual operation of the new lie
ystem may readily be determined
y reference to reports made at meet
ngs OF the governors cabinet In .c
be following paragraphs viii be b
oGnd high lights taken from the S
OF the various commits ii
toner's. cl
Idaho's north and south highway in
ubject OF oratorical froth for the in
sst six state campaigns, win have m
ecome a substantial reality by the ir
ummer OF 1921. according to VIII Iii
am J. Hall, commissioner OF the It'll
apartment Of public works. under
hose jurisdiction more than $15.-
10000 will be expended for road
in the coming bien- =
um. -
Commissioner Hall, who in addi- "a
On to directing the bureau of high ~
avs, also is supervising the CON ~
ruction of the new wings being ~
Ided to the capitol building, adyis- -
g in the management of the state Va
lreau Of supplies and striving to y,o
axe Hepburn park both accessible M,