davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-01-21
SIMPLIFYING
GOVERNMENTAL SYSTEM

The development of public activities so rapid
since the construction of form government
that administrative departments have been
to the general frame without much regard to symmetrical
structure efficient organization Many of these
ments overlap another in their supposed functions,
with the that there
ton and duplication which is extravagant and
inexcusable. There is great deal of lost motion
operation of the State and there great op
porunity for saving and getting better results
consolidating and reorganzng of the departments
l have plans in mind the details of which will be
communicated to the Legislature when complete study
has been made. Among those departments which have
should be made direct in its administration and
brought closer to the people Food production going to
be more important element in our public affairs for the
next few than 1t has been and Pennsylvania
with the best markets in the world fortunately
of the most favored agricultural States and should
more comleely its own requirements There is wonder
ful field for helpful cooperation with our farmers.
The Forestry, Game, Fisheries and Water Supply De-
partments with activities naturally correlated should be
combined into Department of Conservation, with
of the bureaus representing the departments
ordinating and cooperating under direct control
The Department of State Police should be real crime
preventing and criminal detecting with welequip
ped headquarters ut the capital which would have
pee records of all felonies and force of experts who
could be called to the assistance of the peace officers of
every county in the State There is little cooperation be-
the counties in police matters and with the incom
plete police organization and changing officials in many of
the counties there continuing authority charged with
apprehension criminals and the prevention of crime
department State Police should include the other
police corrective agencies of the State which do not
especially technical and the Fire Marshas
work might we'll merged with it. l also believe that
game fish protective force should be part of
State Consabulary and that should be selected for
this work who could qualify for service In the police
time of necessity.
The Department Health although Is already a vecy
cumbersome organization and might be siNa, should
include the State Quarantine Service it, indeed, 49,
necessary in view of the provisions of the Fes
Government for the same purpose.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-01-21
FINANCIAL PROBLEMS
OF PRIME IMPORTANCE

Before we are able to plan very effectively for work
during the next four must give direct attention to
questions We shall have to face demands
for increased appropriations due to the higher cost OF
maintaining public institutions in providing for the
improvement schools and decent salaries for
teachers for public works to assist in meeting the problem
of unemployment and for the extension of the States aid
for those MANNED in battle and in industries While
be able waste and extravaganza by sim
pfying and coordnatng the departments of
ment and to it that shall receive full value for
the money which we expend we cannot in the present
development OF the public enterprises attempt much in the
way of retrenchment
The gaherer is encroaching deeply
the fields hitherto reserved for State that the
question of funds for State purposes becoming serious
Few people realize the stupendous charge
been imposed upon by the plan of which the
officials at Washington have devised Pennsylvania pay
onesixth of the entire cost of the administration
of the United States year this State
contributed in Federal taxes almost six hundred millions
of dollars This year. If the bill Congress shall
become law, probable, the Federal levy
upon Pennsylvania will be approximately billion
The this sum and the way in which it bears
upon may be better by contemplation of the
fact that the which the Federal Government proposes
collect from the people of Pennsylvania in taxes in this
year equal to the aggregate amount raised by
this Commonwealth for State purposes in all hun
red and years which have elapsed since the
State government organized The revenues for
this year will just about equal the interest four
United These figures are startling and they are
OF value IN showing how important Pennsylvania is
nation and how modest have been the the
monwealth upon her people.
Pennsylvania does complain under the burdens which
bearing She has cheerfuy stood by with her
and her money in the national emergency proud
to again have the disposition and substance to render
such notable service to the Republic world But
with our share so large in national undertakings
may be pardoned that funds without
stint to the Federal should wasted in nconr
peent administration the world I'm CHI
meca enterprises without practical purpose people
are loyal generous and progressive ever given
hperaiy OF ther means in real philanthropy They are
too OF much of that desirable quality
as soundness of mind hard They realize real
sacflces must be made to the debts
Cured In saving civilization and democracy they feel
that some plans must be devised dchargng these
before embark international adventures in the
uncharted of deasm and which may bring upon
our devoted ship OF state the burdens mankind Let
us put house in reasonably good before
turing too far in regulating the of the world.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-01-21
Issues Plea For Cooperation In
Conduct ng State Office
Would Repise Constitution
To Meet Modern Needs---
Discusses Financial
Problems and QueS-
tions of Income

people and actions will be based Judgment
with this desire constantly in mind Some changes in the
be necessary to enable it to handle greatly increased
amount of work. and legislation will be required give
executive and fiscal authorities the legal machinery
for issuing and marketing the securities representing the
which will be dealt with in subsequent
to the General Assembly. We should also give attention
TO plans for improving road conditions
throughout the State This is of the most perpexing
situations which we have to deal with. The State High
way Department has done much to help the organization
and administration of our townships but much more
mains to be done.
In considering matters relating to highways it is
to give attention regulation auts
mobile traffic. The conditions growing made
the greatly extended use of morcrxucb transportation
necessity and with the development or the country this
great agent in handling and materials must be
reckoned with more and more. We must extend every
facity for the business vehicle but enforce
intended that vehicles large and heavy railway
should travel the public roads high speed
law provides limits as to the weight and the size of such
trucks. No road which can be built except it be con-
structed of STEEL stand the stress and impact of
weighing with their loads from fifteen thirty TONS The
State cannot furnish especial highways for this kind
of the roads, and to the public who them permit
the laws to be violated our roads to be DESTROYED and
peoples lives endangered by such selfish operations
must be put into the laws governing conditions
now that the war Is and the only for oerng
these abuses has passed. we must put stop to them
Plans under consideration for revision and extern
sion of the automobile license laws Increases license
fees are warranted and especially in the high
powered cars and trucks of heavy burden 1t
tobud and maintain roads than it did and the income for
this from those who the should be in
creased here should also be distinctive license classical
ton and higher tax motorcars used for business
purposes and regular and freight
The State receives large portion of its present
nue. from the tax which laid the securities
incomes of corporations engaged
transportation and it should receive very considerable
share of the income of others engaged in similar
prses in competition with these taxpayng corporations
and using the highways maintained public expense
In view of the difficulties experienced by municipal
ties in the upkeep of their streets it would there
should be returned to these municipalities for highway
maintenance portion of increase in license upon
motor cars received by the State This would be only fair
in consideration of the fact that cities receive share
| of the State highway funds.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-01-21
QUESTIONS OF INCOME
MUST BE CONSIDERED

Pennsylvania is among all of the States in
that leves tax for State purposes upon estate
but leaves that handest of public income intact
the needs or Its municipal divisions 1t is to be hoped
that this condition be disturbed realty espe
cay represented by farms homes already
than its share of the burdens Probably
the most equitable tax considering all things
tax and should favor the imposition light levy upon
personal and corporate incomes of piecng
the of the State it limitations
present constitution which would prevent the grading
of such taxes the exemption of small
provision prevents the equitable operation present
herance An amendment to constitution is now
ton and grading of subjects taxation and If 1t should
be favoraby acted and then approved by
important changes may be made in laws by
next Legislature.
would that the available source of
in sight is to be found in a change in the law which
would provide for return to the State portion of the
personal property tax. Until few years ago the State
directed the collection of this tax and percentage
received by the county paid into
when there ample balances in State Treasury
gave increasing shares OF this the finally
wiped out the States share In ii altogether although
still billed as State tax. In many of the little
is made collect tax and careessness
in filing returns and in making tolerated
the State, through the Auditor Generals Office
authorized to collect this large item
with the provision that onehalf of amount realized
should belong to the State and the half to the
ties States income would be materially increased
Through operation Of thorough collection
the counties should receive much almost much
they now gain this direction. This plan
tona which should to this year from the
gross earnings tax certain of corporations from
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-01-21
RETURNING SOLDIERS
MUST BE REMEMBERED.

One of the very first things which should receive
attention is comprehensive plan for showing to the world
that Pennsylvania is grateful to those who called
into the service of the nation during the and
whose vaor and devotion have added glory to our
annals Pennslvanias share in the greatest Of
tonal undertaking has been large and has always
been the duty TO the Union was well and thor
oughly discharged. Many Of brave young have
made the sacrifice and will rest foreign fields
others have been wounded and must be cared for
nation and this State three hundred thousand
ing back to That will welcome these champions of
Democracy suitably goes without saying that will
honor them and their deeds by chaste memorials is
but show regard for them and
their welfare in substantial way by looking
them practically State, as communities and ndvid-
uals These brave youths will ask for philanthropy
but they must have especial consideration
that they in make for the time they
given to the Republic There will be many suggestions
to legislation and things will be advanced along
this line We must winnow these carefully and
practical and constructive The several departments
State may do much in their various benevolent
activities to help other concrete plans put
operation WE'LL and citizens and especially those
employers should to it that the who risked
all for country is given warmhearted demonstration
of grateful appreciation. The State, great EN-
poyer should set example in this matter by preferrne
- ~-iii~rs. as far as possible, In It's service
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-01-21
REVISION OF STATE
CONSTITUTION DISCUSSED

For many years been less demand for
new constitution for the Commonwealth On one or two
occasions this demand has nsisen and
toward general overhaung OF the states
fundamental Meanwhile there have been amendments
by and the student who would really know what
Pennsylvanas Constitution contains must be alert and up
to the minute in his research is argued that the con-
sttuon foryve years old and that 1t is obsolete
age does harm it and had it been different sort
of document it might well have survived century or
But the trouble with constitution is that instead
being bill Of rights is list of limitations Its prin
cpal features its prohibitions Many OF these most
stretched of the provisions to the breaking point and
there is much confusion of Judgment to their nepreta
ton There should be real and determined authority for
many things in regard system of taxation
humanitarian plans and municipal organizations which
impossible without further extensive tnk
erng with constitution which will make it of
dsocated discordant elements. Insstent is the
appeal for revision however, it would best that
should await the advantage better perspective
the great social changes which going
in the world and that should not rush into the matter
rewriting constitution until fully ready for
the task. 1t will be matter to handle in the
times and the question of expense must also
be considered especially in several States recently the
people have failed ratfy the work of constitutional
ventons which them heavily In neighboring Com
monweath, where convention held without any ade-
pied parley discussion and the result is pronounced
by authorities to be of the most unsatisfactory charters
in existence.
vew but with the unquestioned
requirement that approach definitely the task of reyis
ing constitution completely rewriting it, judgment
Legislature should authorize the appoint
ment of commission twenty citizens representative
of the thought in the various elements of Com
monweats life to study the whole subject of our constu
ton and to report the Legislature its
ons to the advsabty of revision the time manner
plan Of the revision If such shall be the
on with complete study of the desirable changes The
machinery the convention then be provided by
Legislature and little time will be lost while deal
of advantage be gained by preparing the people for
this vitality important matter This commission should be
selected with the greatest its work would be of
adequate for the exhaustive research and preparation which
will be required
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-01-21
PATRIOTIC EFFORT TO
OVERCOME BOLSHEVISM

This political distemper called Bolshevsm, has had its
origin where ignorance and force prevailed and
entire lack of opportunity for the deserv
ing for the unfortunate There is
for it to grow enlightened State where the rights of
humbest and of the strongest alike guarded and
opportunity to all who seek it. The anti
for this social Infection shall apply in Penn
syyana public administration, the best Of popular
generous progressive humane laws and thor
Justice backed by alert forceful and Godfear1ng
public resoutely PATRIOTIC
they love of country and faith in its institutions
proverbal they have just pride in their State and
for their communities and their homes Our
pie mongre government devised by fanatics for
dOn and without faith, envous of national strength
and anxious to disrupt nation and
paralyze a people. We want to develop our own
Democracy, made in America for Americas needs and
Americas great destiny We will not give this splendid
Republic away to its enemies.
confident of national safety, must
not ignore the in midst After having made
have done those things which should be done
citizens those blessings that the
belonging to them should give them must not toll
social wildmen who would overthrow Re
public The government at Washington must be alert in
who would destroy this nation, assist in
hunting out and returning to the lands from which they
who satisfied to become Americans and
Will accept of justice and liberty Here
in Pennsylvania of the State be used
by benefcent enactment and administration to yc
in Commonwealth and then repress vigorously and
effectively those who would njure destroy nstitu-
tions freedom Eternal vigilance is still the
price liberty, and earnestly call people to be
Vgant and determined in meeting the issues which must
come to respect their laws and to uphold
the administration of them Peace, orderly
liberty regulated by law prime essentials for the
prosperity and happiness of all of us.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-01-21

influence dominate political action The exercise
of such in the State nation is dangerous and the
growth of this practice gives to farSeeng patriots
That is conflict with the underlying principles of
form of and is subersve of the constitution
firmly believe The absolute integrity and independence
of the three great divisions of organiza
ton is essential in the system of checks and balances
which rights and have made our constitutional
administration successful and permanent We must
get back to first principles in ways but in none more
certainly fervently desire and thoroughly
rely upon your broadmnded cooperation and assistance
in the important which together must handle
If this cooperation part shall
try compel by threatening of the power
temporarily placed hands Let work together in
entire confidence and real earnestness to perform our
solemn duties with masters to serve but the people
of Pennsylvania who have trusted completely.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-01-21
HIGHWAY DEVELOPMENT
ON VERY GREAT SCALE

We are indeed fortunate to have the in sight
begin comprehensive road improvement program at a
time when there will be need of great public
steady industrial conditions With the funds available
from the general income of the State and gradual
of substantial from the bond issue which
authorized by the people for this supplemented
by the assistance material and likely be greater
of the Federal Government for the post roads,
be able TO undertake extensive roadbuildng operations
every county In the coming few ought
plish much toward providing network of good high
ways reaching important point, with through routes
ravellable at all es from end to end of the State and
connecting with the main highways in neighboring
COmmonwealths OF the whole amount of The fifty
miondollar loan If it should all be used would not i'm
prove the entire State highway SYSTEM all of the
work planned be once, but it will be wonderful
advantage to the people of Pennsylvania to have good main
roads and every mile of highway permanently improved
will its lesson of comfort and facility and local pride
with the spirit of into communities The ques
on of the selection of the roads to be first improved will
be important and the problems of the character
and plan of the construction will require much study
My thought is that the general policy should be the
bringing Of the greatest good the greatest number of
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-01-21
MORE COOPERATION IN
GOVERNMENT NEEDED

early in executive desire to that
having submitted candidacy for Governor to the people
primary election, upon declaration of purpose,
platform call it, and having reiterated this declara
ton before the general election feel that of
action in Office should follow nearly well be, the
principles upon which my candidacy based. desire
particularly to those who will be associates
In the government, that more than convinced
that policy of cooperation and not of coercion is the
proper basis for relations To the members of the
houses of the Legislature whom meet here today in joint
gathering for the first time at this session. that
after participating member In thirteen sessions of the
General Assembly, have not only thorough appreciation
but complete for the positions the
sponsbites you and the rights you 1t
is the duty of the Governor recommend to the Lesa
such measures he may deem import
This duty he not disregard l shall feel free
address you public matters whenever it de-
sirable that should do and shall consid
GRAFTON of and action matters which essential
program of progress and efficiency TO which
committed But it intended that the political
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-01-21
IMPORTANT WORK FOR
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Perhaps in department of the government
there been greater increase in work and THAI
Department of Labor and Industry. There appears
be confusion, much duplication of effort
superuous and unnecessary in this department.
Not that would minimize ts Importance but feel thai
is much that be dispensed with there which wouo
give opportunity for increasing its work in lines
greater Importance. For instance, believe that the
Labor and Industry should have broader
relation TO housing problems. Our larger commune
take of themselves in these matters,
throughout State there places where people
ylng trghtfuiy unsanary homes, by
make bad health and bad citzenshir.
especially this in industrial settlements where
compelled, in order to be their emplpF
ment live in places which unit for human habDse
We ought have the power to help in this veaA
important matter.
This department should also be able to give attentnA
completely to helping foreign-born Twenty pss
of foreign immigration to Pennsylvania WhaA
the people who did not know them looke4
this great body of fOreign-born people menacA
Their unstake is apparent, for have found in the
the foregnbon unexpected depth Of patriot
ism, appreciation of the principles involved in thS
ana eagerness to take this first opportunit
prove their devotion to their adopted country TheR
sons gone great numbers into the army nav
They have organized among Themselves and bought Lbeg
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-01-21

inheritance increase in the automo
bile licenses together with the particularly efficient man
the Department of the Auditor General should
provide that shall be likely need for the
present.