New-York tribune., 1920-11-04
Miller Will
Begin Reform
Work at Once
Change Of Primary Law, Dry
Enforcement Bill and
Reorganization Of State
Departments i'll Program
Efficiency To Be keynote
Covernor-elect Says He Will
Put Business Methods
Into Albany Government
spec.or Dispatch to The Tribune


SYRACUSE. Nov. 3.--Governorel elect
Nathan l.. Miller. Immediately after
he takes Office, will begin an aggres
s.vc campaign for the enactment of /
Sc ral reforms which he strenuously /
s.vocated in his prediction speeches.
These include:
Repeal Of the direct primary law !
n so far as it applies to the nominal
ing of state ficials and the judiciary. |
Enactment Of state prohibition laws
to conform with the Nolstead act.
Reorganization of several state de-
rartmonts in order to provide more
deficient business methods"
He outlined his plans in state
ment issued from his home here to-
DAY, in which he pledged himself to
give the state an efficient, clean, for
ward looking administration.
"The feeling my election gives me
$ one Of very great responsibility,
he said. "The problems the state has
90 deal with arc difficult and compli-
Gated. The Constitutional Convention
Of 1915 adopted q comprehensive pro-
gram for the reorganization Of the
state governmen do not say that
I am in sympathy with everything
recommended by that convention. Bat,
in general the changes advocated by
tiat convention are good and furnish
the basis for comprehensive reor-
aanization plan.
Wants Business Government
~ am not ready to say precisely all
OF the changes that should be adopted
now. That is matter of study.
have had no opportunity to get into the
subject as | intend TO get into it,
The practical side of the question is
that changes must be advocated which
can be passed by both houses Of the
Legislature. hope to have q program
which will eliminate inetiiccncy and
put the state government on sound
business basis.
Il intend to urge the repeal Of the
direct primary law, in so far as it re-
lates to state and judicial Offices. I do
not favor the repeal of the direct pr-
mary in the smaller political sub
divisions Of the state. In the cities the
voters have the opportunity to get ac-
quainted with the candidates and be-
come familiar with the local situation
IN its entirety. Here direct primary is
all right.
But do not believe that direct
primaries should govern the nomina-
ton ol candidates for state offices, nor
for the judiciary. You cen carry out
the idea all right with small numbers
OF people, but it does not work with
ten million people
We need a convention plan. but
one that will protect the interests OF
the people against cheating or any
0lher unfair thing. | expect to recon-
mend the repeal of the law SO far as
the state offices and the iudic ary are
concerned and viii sign such bill if (
It - passed
Urges Dry Enforcement Law
Il believe the state should enact a
Law (" conform with the Volstead act
o. Congress. | am against the present
INVASION Of the state by host (
Federal officials
w nat we must do is to see that our
laws are enforced by the police power
OF the state, and not by the Federal
government"
Mr.. Miller's friends are angry at
what they consider a raw deal" in New
Y ork City. They also are more than
surprised at the collapse of the Barnes
forces in Albany which enabled Gov
crnor Smith to pull out Of that county
with a plurality
Mr.. Miller would not comment on :he
New York situation to- day. "Nothing
would be accomplished by any comment
by me-" he said. 81 am very grateful
Tor what my friends throughout the
state did for me-