Elbert County tribune and Elbert County banner., 1921-01-14

The Colorado Rangers.
Ny experiences has convinced me-
that there II no means available to the
state by which these situations can be
controlled In the interest of all parties
concerned so effectively as by state
police Accordingly, have revived the
constabulary under the provisions of
the act approved August 7. 1917, and 1t
now II an efficient organization. To
obtain the fullest safety to the state
and efficiency to that department,
recommend an adequate appropriation
for Its maintenance from the general
fund or from the national defense
bonds. and a revision of the act under
which 1t operates, to make 1t perman-
ent. 1t menifestly would be In the
Interest of harmony and efficiency to
place the department under the adju'
tsnt general and to make that officer
ex-offIcio Its superintendent. Life and
porperty In Colorado must be protected
and l earnestly recommend the con-
tinuation of the Ranger force as the
surest and most economical agency for
accomplishing this result.
Defense Bonds.
The state frequently II handicapped
by lack of funds to meet unforeseen
emergencies when the General As
sembly Is not In session. recon-
mend that the Issue of national de-
fense bonds be extended for the years
1921 and 1922 and that a large ap-
preparation be made therefrom for
such contingencies as may seriously
involve the welfare of the state.
National Guard ArnorIes-
Ths state is obligated to maintain
an adequate National Guard for the
defense of the federal government
Generous appropriations should be
made from the national defense bond
issue for the construction Of armories
where National Guard units have been
organized and recognized.
| Bsttor Roads.
Highway legislation of a construc
tion character Is demanded by the
people. / believe that state roads
should be planned. constructed and
maintained exclusively by the state
that they should be in the hands Of q
capable. experienced official with wide
authority and that he should be bound
to a comprehensive program of de-
vslopment and should be responsible
directly to the governor for the ef'
ficient performance of his duties. The
state and national governments have
been generous with road appropria.
tions. We must be careful that these
funds are judiciously expended.
Boards and Bureaus.
For two years have given attention
to the functioning Of State Depart
ments. commissions, boards, etc, and
have considered seriously the need fol
an effective coordination of theli
activities. The lieutenant and acting
governor recently appointed Senator
Francis J. Knauss of Denver ant
Representative-elect w. b. Gordon ot
Lamar to give the problem specia
study. Their examination of the
statutes Of this and other states anc
Of the valuable reports published IL
1916 by the Survey Committee OF
State Affairs has led to the prepara
ton Of a series Of bills which. an
sure II enacted, will eliminate much
duplicated work by consolidation OF
departments of similar purpose ant
will lessen the cost of transacting pub
lie business.
The committees study led to the In
evitable conclusion that a new code
is needed to systematic ndministra
tive work.
The experience of several otheI
states with board of control in which
merous commissions, bureaus, etc. are
lodged has proven helpful. The com
mittee found, however, that while sucf
a central board might and probably
would be an Improvement over oul
present system. the plan cannot b,
worked out comprehensively under the
constitution of Colorado. In this con
cur.
New Constitution.
Our present constitution was adopted
many years ago and under conditions
essentially different from those nov
obtaining. 1t has been frequent.
amended and each amendment ha
been designed to meet n specific meet
without due regard to Its effect upoI
the Constitution as a comprehensive
whole. Therefore. because only n nev
organic law will meet the actual need
of the state, 1t is my deliberate con
viction that this General Assembl.
should submit to the people pro
posal for constitutional convention.
Budget System.
The experience of the budget de
partment in its first two year
strengthens my conviction that the re
conmenda tiona of the haod of that de