Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1921-07-07
ri STATE REORGANIZATION COMMISSION

OOVcLHOE IStC(llS dOuIGoS al
The initial meeting of the State
Reorganization Commission was
a mastery discussion of the out
standing accomplishments Of the
Democratic party in Maryland in
the past twenty years. The Gov
eTnoP expressed the belief that
many men and women upon whom
party ties sit lightly are by con-
viction and tradition inclined to-
ward Democratic policies, but are
"eveHlastingly tired of the daily
recorded chronicles of party
schisms and strifes and factions. !"
Re rightly said that mo man, no
group, no element in the Demo-
cratic party IS as big as the Demo-
katie party ITSELF"
The selection Of former Judge
Burke as chairman Of the Com
mission means that its direction
will be along lines Of sanity and
common sense. And the con-
sluding part of the Governors
address shows the scope of its
work
Il will not take your time by
any discussion of the reorgani-
zation plan which has been sub
mitted to you. | will only say
that ! arr not committed to it, or,
as yet, to any specific plan at all.
] see the need Of better co-ordina-
ton, increased efficiency and low
e1 costs in State government. |
want your help and council as to
the best means Of securing them.
And 30 / leave the subject
with you. with only this condi-
ton: That think no reorganiza-
ton plan will be acceptable to the
people Of Maryland which does
not, in addition to promoting eff
cheney, at the same time result in
substantial economy and saving
in the c0st Of government"
The Governors statement that
he 10 not committed to any speci-
Ne plan is a repetition of what he
has said on several occasions. 1t
10 well that he has made this per-
fsctly plain, for while the actual
inR purpose of the whole scheme
is n most laudable one, the pres
emit reorganization plan, based on
he survey Of Griffenhagen and
Associates, Chicago experts, can
not be expected to be hundred
per cent efficient so far as Mary
kaAd's problems are concerned.
In fact, that it needs revision at
the hands Of a commission of
representative men and women
OF Maryland, such as the Cover
nor has appointed, is apparent on
tAe face Of their report.
10 in being pointed out with in
ereasing emphasis, for instance,
Mat the plan as submitted is con-
spicuously lacking in one particu-
hsLthe farming interests Of the
State are placed under the DE
paYtment Of Education" Cover
nor Richie undoubtedly recog-
Rizss the omission Of a Depart
ssnt Of Agriculture" as a most
serious one, and the rural COM
mnnitiss in pan ticular are looking
10 him and the commission to see
tAat sach a department is provid-
Cd for.
This very oversight, however,
shows at once why a commission
Of Marylanders should pass judg-
asnt on any reorganization plan
FOR the State departments; and
tzss Governor has stated that his
object in naming the commission
was to have this plan, and all
plans, carefully considered and
the defects remedied. There
fore, when this consideration has
bgsA given by Marylanders who
know their State, the new order
Of things, as finally evolved, will
DO welcomed by the people with
faY greater assurance that the
problems have been carefully
solved than IL the commission