The diamond drill., 1921-01-15

er pro tenn. clerk, Charles 5. Pierce.
Lansing. Ingham county; sergeantat-
arms. Richard Birkholm. Berrien
county.
Senate: Walter ]. Hayes. Crosse
Pointe. Wayne county. president pro
tenn: Dennis T.. Award. Clare
county. secretary: James r. Davis.
Bay county. sergeant.atarms.
The house elected Ira @. Ormsbee.
OF Flint. postmaster OF the legislature.
while the senate chose X. M. Dickin-
son. OF Charlotte. assistant postmas-
ter.
NEW SYSTEM OUTLINED.
After dealing with taxation prob
lens and the need for economy In
state affairs. Governor Groesbeck In
his inaugural message outlined 10 the
legislature his plan for efficiency In
state affairs. recommending creation
OF a department OF agriculture aud
eliminating several boards and ou-
reaus. Governor Groesbeck said In
part:
I'VE are sorely in need OF depart
ment OF agriculture organized as tho
proper legislative committees may
determine.
when organized. It should include
in its operations the department OF
animal industry; the state veterinary
board: state apiary inspector; com
missioner OF immigration; geological
survey: Michigan Agricultural Fair
commission, inspection of nurseries
and orchards: the agricultural divi-
sion OF the state department. inspec-
tion OF seeds. fertilizers. together with
such other agencies affecting the in'
dustry as you may name.
STATE MANAGEMENT OF FAIR.
"In connection with these sugges-
tions, your attention is called 10 ina
affairs OF the Michigan State Agricul-
tural society. which. under state au-
thority has permanently located is
fair grounds in Wayne county anc
acquired property much in excess OK
that permitted by the laws under
which II operates. This society IL
performing a purely public function.
In the past. appropriations have been
made by the Legislature for the pur-
pose OF promoting its educational ao'
vantages and undertakings.
1T Is essential that the state should
lend every assistance consistent with
sound public policy TO further ana
stimulate its activities and place It's
affairs on plane commensurate with
the standing OF Michigan In the agri-
cultural world.
"The only feasible way to do this Ia
for the state TO control its operations.
Legislative action should be taken
authorizing the requirement OF all the
assets OF the Michigan State Agriculr
tural society: and when this 10 ac-
romplished. conhne its future conduct
TO the department OF agriculture.
where it rightfully belongs.
LABOR DEPARTMENT NEEDED.
Most states now have an Industrial
and labor department. We should have
one Ia Michigan. There was an sp-
propriation OF 1000 In 1919 for the
Michigan industrial relations commits
sion. II has neither spent any money
nor held any meetings.
"A consideration OF the powers and
duties OF the Industrial accident
board, the labor department. state
fire marshal. and industrial relations
commission will disclose conflict or
Jurisdiction relative TO labor matters
and a duplication OF effort. The func-
tions OF the labor department. indus
trial accident board. mediation board.
and industrial relations commission
should be transferred TO a single de-
partment. which should also have SUI
peryision of the state accident fund.
ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD.
"In some other states they have
abolished all their institutional
boards and named central saiaried
hoard or director in their stead.
"The experience one obtains from
close contact with state affairs brings
home the realization that the most
glaring defect OF our present system
Is the failure 10 provide responsible
supervision OF state expenditure sub
seouent 10 appropriation by tho legls-
lature and the utter lack OF any well
defined financial and business policy.
To remedy this situation an admin
istrative board. consisting of at least
Ave elective state officers, and the
governor, should be established and
given general supervision OF all state
business and expenditures, with the
veto power IN the governor
There is nothing new In this sug-
gestion except as applied TO public
business. Every successful private
corporation has such a board. and its
officers and agents are made subject
TO IT'S control.
AID FOR COMMON SCHOOLS.
"In democracy all should receive
tho benefit OF the best education OBJ
tainable: and while we are proud OF