Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1921-01-14
Urges Change in
Affairs of State
Gov. Groesbeck Emphasizes
the Need of Economy and
Efficiency.
(By STAFF Corresondent.)


Lansing-Probably the most impor-
tant of all the proposals to consoli.
date boards, bureaus and commissions
in Michigan into departments Is the
riculture. Most emphasis is laid on
this idea of all the plans along that
line that are oeing suggested to the
new legislature, now in session.
AS expected because of advance
rumors, Gov. Groesbeck, in his inaug-
ural message to the legislature, took
strong stand in favor of consolidat-
ing state commissions and bureaus
into departments in which there
would be more efficiency and less
duplication OF work The governor
makes his recommendations especial
ly in view of economy and with an
eye to the lowering of the tax rate,
already staggeringly high, If prelimin-
airy estimates are to be followed.
Consolidation of Departments.
The proposed department of agri-
posed departments which would make
for efficient state control. without du-
plicated work by different boards. A
bill will be offered in the legislature
to include probably all Of the follow
ing In the new state department of
agriculture:
The agricultural section of the sta.
tistical division of the secretary Of
states office; the food and dairy divi.
sion of the state food and drug de-
partment; the orchards and nurseries
inspection bureau; the seed inspec-
ton agency; the fertilizer and feeds
inspection bureau the soil division
of the geological survey; the agricul-
tural fair division; the state fair COM
mission the state board of veterin.
arians; the board of swamp land CON-
missioners. and other. activities. in.
Guiding the animal welfare depart
ments and new duties of the depart
ment that would reach channels hith-
erto not included specifically In any
board or commission.
The state farm bureau has estab.
lished beyond doubt that it's member
ship is strongly In favor of the
changes advocated generally; that
more knowledge of the states agri
culture can be had through statistics
than has been the case in the past;
that much may be done In the way
Of reforestration; that the pure seed
law should be enforced instead Of
merely adorning the statute books;
and that economy should mean just
that in state administration.
Great Need For Economy.
With a deficit of six million dollars
facing the state lawmakers at the
outset Of the 1921 session and budg
ct calling for seventy millions about
to be laid before them, 1t hardly is
necessary to emphasize the word
economy. 1t is the watchword of the
solons at this time. How to meet the
actual needs and how to raise more
revenue without adding to the bur-
dens the taxpayer already Is chatting
under, are the tax problems now
faced. The suggestion Of state in
come tax Is being made. Another sug.
gestion is to increase fees paid to
various state departments. But 1t
probably will take the major part of
the session to show what really con-
crete plans may be made along these
lines. Meanwhile the eyes Of many
are glued on the requests of the state
institutions for funds, to see how 1t
will be possible to cut them down In
drastic fashion and still not ruin the
institutions.
Many new requests for funds will
be- made that will add to the task of
finding ways and means to care for
the total. Already 1t is certain that
strong effbrt will be made to have
the state assume the payment OF
worthwhile soldiers bonus.
Lady Senator Given Welcome.
One of the notable features of the
opening OF the 1921 session of the leg
islature was the seating as q mem.
Der OF the senate of Mrs. Eva M.
Hamilton, of Grand Rapids, the first
woman member of a Michigan legisla.
ture. The lady senator" was given
a rousing welcome by her brother
senators from the other thirty-one dis.
tricts OF the state. Senator Hamil.
ton is interested in welfare legisla.
ton, but announced that she had no
intention OF trying to start any
thing that would turn the senate up.
side down.
The house of representatives has
decided to add to It's standing commit
tees one on public utilities because OF
the amount Of proposed legislation
affecting such concerns, and the
people Of the state. as well, along
public utilities lines.