Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1919-01-17
RADICAL CHANGE PROPOSED
IN STATE ADMINISTRATION
Measure Containing Drastic Changes in Conduct
of State Affairs introduced in Senate--N IS
an Administration Measure.

Boise, Jan. 14.-Striking right at
the heart of his big business problem
as chief executive of the state of Ida
no, 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 ad-
ministration and TO put indelibly the
stamp of action on his forecast of
legislation contained In his message
to the legislature.
In one of the most strikingly COM
prehensive and most progressive BINS
ever introduced by governor OF a
western state and paralleded by only
one other case in the history of state
Legislation, Governor Davis today in
troduced q 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 a 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
NJ. A. Kiger of the house today.
No piece OF legislation presented tc
an Idaho legislature in the history Of
the state has before caused the com
ment heard today. In this commen
there was no adverse criticism. AL
legislators seem to agree that III
principle more than stood the test
Many Of them knew that politica
scientists held no disagreement abou
the efficacy of such q plan.
Were the bill to be voted on toda
In both houses 1t would pass by &C
clamatiOn. But that there will b
some opposition to its enactment in
to q Law seems certain to observer
here. This will come however froE
the ofice-holder who sees his cync
sure slipping away, say the politics
wiaeacres. These men who now hol
ONCE and would be displaced unde
the governors business eficienc
plan are for the most part ratht
strong politically In their homes.
One legislator from northern Id
no put 1t this way today The fello
from home who holds job IL goir
to ask his legislator to protect h
place at the public trough. Nine
per cent of the memhers-yes ninet
nve per cent-would not run the
own business the way the states bu
mess 10 run and the public agre
with them. The way l sum It up
that there will be on the Opposite
side the professional. mercenary p'
itician and opposed to him will be {
public and its good. In view Of t
supreme importance of the measu
and the personal pressure OF the se
seeking ONCE holder on the legis
TORS, strongly advise that those
terested in the business good OF
state urge their Representatives
stand fast on the bill.
What the Bill Provides.
The supercedance of fOrty-elght
partments by nine.
The saving Of thousands OF doll
expense.
Making the governor directly a
werabIe 70 the people for the busin
efficiency of his administration.
Provision of a cabinet to adv
with the governor on all import
matters. composed Of heads Of
partments.
Placing Of state finances on a so'
business basis.
Direct representation Of the pee
through advisory boards compose'
nine members to serve without
for I'VE departments.
To receive expert advise and
public opinion through the person
Of the advisory boards. all the m
bers Of which serve for patriotic
sons.
No addition Of functions but 8
more rapid attention 70 public I