Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1921-10-29


recognize il and TO apply the remedy
Substantial beginnings have already
been made by our party with the ad'
ministrative consultations. which
have resulted in the Conservation
Commission. the State Board of Labor
Statistics. the state Board OF Prison
Control. the State Board OF Agricul-
ture the unification OF that board with
the Maryland Agricultural. College and
the State Law Department
Now the time is at hand 10 complete
the work OF coordination thus so well
begun and to recast the structure OF
the State government so that we may
have a practical. working. well-bal.
anced whole. capable Of operating bet.
ter than the present system and at
less cost
To this end we pledge our party to
legislation TO promote coordination.
efficiency and economy in the State
based upon the plan
which has been recommended by the
reorganization commission. appointed
by Governor Richie. OF which Hon.
" Charles Burke is chairman
The plan this commission has rec
commended has these outstanding fea.
lures:
l. II is distinctly Maryland plan.
drawn by no outside experts. but BY
Maryland men and women. who are
familiar with the needs of our people
and with the history. development and
practical operations OF the State gov
eminent. The changes this plan
makes are such as will give greater
efficiency and greater economy. and
they square with those State institu-
lions. usages and practices which ex-
peiience has justified and which ought
TO endure.
. This plan will give 4 more eff
cient state government II reduces
the 50 existing departments to 10
major departments and three minor
ones by combining those whose work
is related and by abolishing unneces-
sary Offices.
=; II will give more economical
state government. The saving in Off
Gals salaries and compensation alone
will amount 10 nearly s150.000 year.
The savings from increased efficiency
and system are sure to be many times
this
INCREASED REPRESENTATION.
The Democratic party takes just
pride in Maryland's great city OF Bal
more. Its relative Importance its size
and population entitle 1t 10 subsian-
,lal increase in It's representation in
the General Assembly.
80, ya1 n
ton for the city of Baltimore by the
OF two ca Senators and 02)
Dele gates. which Is an increase OF fifty
(50l per cent. and pledge our party
20 the submission 10 the people OF a
amendment therefor.
We urge our party 10 support this
amendment at the polls
REDUCED NUMBER OF ELEC-
TONS.
We recognize that elections in this
State are 100 many and TOO costly
We favor abolishlng all State and
county elections every second year
TO the end that every other year
may be free OF elections. We
pledge our party TO the passage OF
legislation as will accomplish this
The plan drafted by the subcommittee
of the reorganization commission. or
which Hon Carlyle d. Benson is
chairman. shows that this will mean
a direct saving to he taxpayers OF ap-
$3.50. 900 year.
ROADS.
We take just pride in the splendid
road system OF the State. inaugurated
and carried on By Democratic admin
istratiOns.
The lateral road plan. enacted by the
last legi slature. has proved marked
success. Every county OF the state
paid its share OF the lateral road fund
and ayailed itself OF It's allotment for
1920. and almost every county has done
so for 1921.
We pledge our party TO the construc'
ton OF needed extensions OF and add
lions TO the State roads system from
State funds and Federal aid. and to
the continued building OF lateral roads
from State and county funds.
We were deeply concerned over the
terms OF the Federal Aid bill fostered
BY the Republican National Admins
tration. because IL would have taken
from the States the right to initiate
their own road protec.s and itconialned
other provisions which would have de-
prived Maryland Of Federal aid in the
future. Federal aid was inaugurated
by the Democratic National Admins
tration several years ago, and any ces'
sation or impairment OF its dement's
would be most unfortunate We are
gratified that II was largely due TO the
efforts OF the present Democratic state
that the Objectionable
features of the Republican bill were
and the bill at last put In
shape satisfactory 10 the interests or
this State. We deplore. however. the
failure OF the Republican Congress thus
far 10 pass the bill. because this failure
has deprived the State OF all Federal
aid for some months. and has delayed
the construction OF roads which. had
the Federal money been available.
would now have been either completed
or else well under way.
We favor the extension OF the state
roads system through incorporated