New-York tribune., 1920-02-10
Smith Urges
More Power
For Governor
Advocates Reorganization of
State Government in
Transmitting Reconstruct
ton Commissions Report
Present Laws Anticipated
Executive Is Gagged by Too
Much Machinery, He Says;
Four Year Term Favored

OuA CdT ctfn EdVOrcO
ALBANY, Feb. 9.--In transmitting to
the Legislature tonight the report Of
the reconstruction commission advo-
eating the reorganization Of the state
government through the consolidation
OF many separate departments Cover
nor Smith urged legislation to make
the recommendations effective.
He declared that democracy, in
order to be efficient, must lodge re-
sponsibility with the executive and
give him the means to carry out his
policies. The present organization of
the state government, he pointed out,
IS based upon a constitution adopted
many years ago when the business of
the state was small and limited.
From an annual budget of about
$50 100000 thirty years ago. he set
forth in his message, "we are now
fiscal year of over $1O0,OO0,OOO, illus
trnting in itself the growth and COM
plexity of state government.
Durlng the last twenty-five years
the state has taken over many activi-
j ties that formerly belonged to locali-
ties, and it has attempted to build this
structure upon an old time foundation,
which it has entirely outgrown, until
to-day one of its great problems is how
70 make itself function, how to make
Itself efficient, how to make itself
understood, and how to make itself re-
sponsive to the public will.
Efficiency Impossible
efficiency is not possible unless
there is responsibility lodged with the.
executive. With that responsibility he
must be given the means to carry out
his policies. The people have elected
the Governor with the belief that the
head of the state has it within his
power to carry out the policies enun-
ciatcd by him.
The real fact is that he rs thoroughly
bound, gagged and fettered by cum
bersome machinery of state govern
ment. The consequence is that, be-
tween the short term of the Governor
and the form Of our government, the
executive head of the state is foiled in
his every effort to respond to the popu-
lar will.
"The existing multiplicity of depart
ments with overlapping functions,
and responsible to no central authority.
should be reduced to a small number of
large departments presided over by
men selected by the Governor for terms
coterminous with his own, which, as
the report of the Reconstruction Com
mission will indicate, should be length
ened to four years."
The report of the Reconstruction
Commission proposes a governmental
reorganization along two lines, namely,
slmplification of machinery, and ad-
minlstratlve control by means Of
cabinet system of administration and
financial control through an executive
budget. In reference to this the Gov
ernor wrote:
The extension of the Governors term |
Of office will give him an opportunity
to know his work and to build up a |
constructive policy for the state which !
is constantly subject to judgment in the |
light Of the Governors responsibility. |
-, ou have before you estimates from
the several departments asking you to
coming year over $4,000 O00 The
budget is going up by leaps and bounds.
1t doubled in the last five years. At the
present rate of increase, it will total
over S20o,000,000 in 1925.
The report of the reconstruction
commission represents not only the
conclusions of the commission but the
opinions of numerous state depart
ments, organizations and individuals
who have been consulted and who have
been generous Of their criticism and
advice
The fundamental recommendations
are for an executive budget system, for
the consolidation of state departments.
the reduction of the number of elective
officers, and the increase in the term
and responsibilities OF the Governor.
and to my mind present the only plan
which Will relieve the present stua-
tion.
Il therefore urge that you consider
tlonal amendments to make effective
the fundamental principles proposed in
this report.
also ask that while this plan is
under consideration nothing else be
consldered that removes control from
the Governor, the responsible head of
the government, elected by the people
in the belief that he is responsible. un-
tt! the fundamental changes are dehn-
itely acted upon.
Il believe that the proposed organ
lzatlon fairly represents the needs Of
the state at the present time, because
it represents the conclusions of the
many persons who have been consulted
in the preparation of the report.
1T must be apparent to the men who
have served any length of time in the
Legislature that all that is required is
the disposition to do this thing. 1t is
progress, and as such it will meet with
reactionary opposition. The opposition
will be senseless, but it will exist
nevertheless. 1t always has. The
problem before you for decision is
the simple one-Is the plan in the in
terest of efficiency and economy in the
government? l believe that it is and
! feel that when you are thoroughly
familiar with it you will believe with