The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1921-10-07

under Democratic administrations. has
been among the first OF the States to
recognize 1t 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.
ure, the unification OF that board with
the Maryland Agricultural College and
the State Law Department.
Now the time is at hand to 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, weil-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
government, based upon the plan
which has been recommended by the
reorganization commission, appointed
by Governor Richie, Of which Hon,
N. Charles Burke Ia chairman
The plan this commission has rec.
commended has these outstanding fea
lures:
/. II is distinctly a 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 inst.tu'
lions, usagss and practices which ex.
perience has justified and which ought
to endure.
: 2. This plan will give a more Ell.
Client State government II reduces
the so existing departments 10 IS,
major departments and three minor
ones by combining those whose work
Is related and by abolishiBg unneces'
sary Offices
3. II viii give a more economical
State government. The saving in OFF,
Gals salaries and compensation alone
will amount to nearly $4,000 a year
The savings from increased efficiency
and system are sure 20 be many times
this
INCREASED REPRESENTATION.
The Democratic party takes just
pride in MaTyland's great city OF Bal
more. It's relative importance. its size
and population eDtitle II 40 Bubatan.
tlal increase in It's representation IN
the General Assembly.
We declare for increased representa-
ton for the city OF Baltimore by the
addition OF two (2l Senators and az
Delegates, which IL an increase % hfty
(50I per cent. and pledge our party
TO the submission 10 the people OF a
constitutional amendment therefor
We urge our party 10 support this
amendment Fl the polls.
REDUCED NUMBER or ELEc-
TIoNs.
We recognize that elections 10 this
State are too many and too costly
We fagor abolishing ali 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
such Constitutional amendments snd
legi slatiun as will accomplish this.
The plan drafted by NE subcommittee
OF the reorganization commission. OF
which Hon CarylIie D. Benson ~
chairman, shows that this will mean
a direct saving TO The taxpayers Of ap,
proximately $4,000 a year
ROADS.
We take Just pride IN the splendid
road system OF the State, inaugurated
9nd carried on by Democratic admin
istrations
The lateral road plan, enacted by tho
last legislature, has proved marked
success. Every county Of the state
paid its share 81 the lateral road fund
and ayalled itself Of Us allotment FOR
1920 and almost every county has done
SO for 1921.
We pledge our party 10 the conEtruc.
ton Of needed extensions OF and add.
lions 10 the STATE roads system from
State funds and Federal aid, and 10
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 II would have taken
from the states the right 10 initiate
their own road projects and iteontalned
other provisions which would have de.
priyed Maryland Of Federal aid IN Vie
future. Federal aid was inaugurated
by the Democratic National Admins
tration several years ago. and any ees
sation or impairment OF It's benefits
would be most unfortunate. We are
gratihed that It was largely due 10 the
efforts OF the present Democratic State
Administration that the Objectionable
features OF the Republican bill were
eliminated, and the bill at last put IN
shape satisfactory to the interests OF
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. bad
ahe 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
towns and the reconstruction by the
State where needed and as rapidly as
practicable Of those town streets which
furnish direct connection with State
highways, TO q width corresponding to