Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-05-26
ALLAN FREDERIC SAUNDERS
On Reoruanlzinu State Offices

Az INVESTIGATION looking toward
n the reorganization of State executive de-
partments for the purpose of effecting econ
omies is a paramount need, according to
Allan Frederic Saunders, of the Political
Science department of the Wharton School
of the University of Pennsylvania.
''At the recent session Of the Legislature
a resolution was passed calling for the selec-
tion of q commission to study the organiZa-
tion of the State executive departments, he
said. The purpose is to obtain a basis for
a consideration of changes in the admins
tration toward efficiency and economy. Such
an investigation is needed, because such
changes are needed. There has been no thor
ough revision of the State administrative
services since the adoption of the Constitu-
ton of 1873. Were we to rely solely upon
Jefferson sardOnic suggestion that periodi-
cal revolutions are beneficial to democracy,
such move in Pennsylvania in 1921 would
be justified
''But in addition to this, the changes in
social conditions and theory since 1875 sup
port u demand for reform. The basis of
democratic theory has always been public
welfare. In 1889 public welfare was largely
synonymous with negative policy Of gov
ernmental action.
THE job of the Government was 20 keep
its hands off everything: to protect the citi-
zen from violence internal and external, that
he might have freedom. In 1873 such an
idea was still prevalent, though it was weak
ened somewhat by the development of the
railroad and the spread of popular educa.
ton. In 1921 the content of the concept of
public welfare as practiced BY Government,
has enormously widencd
"Whereas once public welfare meant
chiefly protection, today it implies govern
mental regulation of many phases Of social
relationships, to the end that the resources
of the nation, natural and human. be used
most constructvely for the social bcttGrment.
This change i'll the attitude toward gov
ernmental activity brought with 1t Il neces-
sary expansion Of the work of the State.
1t is commonplace that within the last thirty
wears the bureaus and departments of the
State Government have multiplied many
times With each session of the Legislature
new organs have been tackled on the scheme
Of government outlined in the 1873 Consti-
tuition.
Old Methods in Vogue
And that is the primary troublu today
The new organs have been tackled on ; in but
few instances has there been serious ut
tempt to understand the relation OF the new
activity to existing governmental agencies.
The function Of the State has grown in ac-
cord with the demands Of its people, but the
manner of exercising those functions has
been a matter of benevolent caprice. The
machine has been tinkercd with by we'll
intentioned reformers; there has been lack
ing an appreciation OF the fact that the
State Government IS merely a huge public
service joint stock company, and that to
secure responsiveness to the stockholders.
i. e., the people--busincss methods must
be used.
I'm every other business there exists a
well oiled system of production in the
typical State Government -- and Pennsyl-
vanla is typical-the system is one of hit =
or miss 1t is the job Of u commission. such
| as is proposed, to investigate administrative
! reorganiZNtion, TO the end of making il q
system which hits rather than misses.
Several such Investigations have in re-
| cent years been made in other States, no
| the failure of the proposed Constitution in
| 1918. New York was subjected TO an cx o
| baustiye study by a reconstruction commits s.
| sion apDointcd in 1919. This commission
recommended the consolidation of the exist .
| ing 1877 agencies Of government into seven =
! tccn departments, with adequate provision
| for correlation between them and control by
! the executive. ~
"Illinois in 1917 adopted an administra
! tive code which organizes the State Govern .
ment into nine great departments. Ne
hrpska, Idaho, Ohio, Massachusetts and
| oihcr States have either revised or are now
revising their administrative systems, to
nut them in conformity with modern bust
| ness principles
| "In all these attempts to make the ma
chiuery up 10 date there have been at bottom
| n few guiding considerations. There mus
4 be consolidation of the numerous bureaus
| and departments and commissions, that one
| function may no longer be executed by sew
| eral more or less independent agencies, but
| carried out by one department In a consist
cnt. adequate fashion Responsibility for
~,