Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1921-01-28
Start Work on
Reform Plans
Administrative Board Made Up
Elective Officers, Aim of the
Governor.

Lansing-Both branches of the
Legislature adjourned late last week
but before voting adjournment, steps
toward obtaining immediate action
on Governor Groesbeck's plan for re-
organization of the state government
were taken. Gov. Groesbeck in con-
ference with Lieut-Gov. Thomas
Reed and Fred l.. Warner, speaker
OF the house, decided to abandon
plans for steering committee made
up Of members of both houses. and
bills were presented providing legis-
lation to work out the changes as
outlined in the governors inaugural
message.
Centralized Responsibility.
AS now proposed, the bill to create
the administrative board would abol-
ish the budget commission, the office
OF budget director, the Office of state
state architect to supervise the
construction and repairing of state
buildings. The bill for the auditing
Of the states accounts provides that
the auditor-general shall be the AT.
ditor of all accounts pertaining to
state institutions.
Under the plan outlined, the admin
istrative board would be composed of
the governor, who shall act as chair
man, the secretary of state, state
treasurer, auditor general, highway
commissioner and superintendent of
public instruction. In this way adj
ministration of state affairs will be
centralized in the elective officers. In
both houses, the bills have been re-
ferred to the committee on state af-
fairs. A two-thirds vote Is necessary
for passage Of the measures, and both
become effective upon passage and
approval
Control of Fair Voted.
The board of directors of the Mich
igan State Agricultural Society at a
meeting held in Detroit last week.
voted unanimously in favor of state
management and control of the State
Fair and John S. Haggerty was nam
ed as chairman of committee of five
to open negotiations with the Legis-
Iature to formulate arrangements
The Detroit meeting of the board of
directors was attended by 20 of the
"a directors. Gov. Groesbeck recon-
mended in his message that the state
take over the State Fair and operate
1t for the best interests of the state.
1t is generally accepted that the
governors proposed department of
agriculture, besides absorbing the
duties Of other state agencies, will
also take over the State Fair and
make it true exhibition of the
states standing and progress in agri-
cultural pursuits. The transfer to the
state will involve real estate assessed
at $2,000,00O and buildings, valued in
the neighborhood of $1,000,000. Many
new additions are also looked for un-
der state control.
Board Members Resign.
Informal announcement has been
made of the designations of l. Roy
Waterbury and William H. Wallace
from the board of agriculture. The
terms of both expire next December
and should their designations be ac-
cepted, it will mean the naming Of
their successors in next springs elec-
ton. Nominees will be named at the
Republican State convention to be
held Feb. II. in Detroit The upper
peninsula is making a bid for place
on the board for John A. Doelle, Mar
quette, secretary of the Up
per Peninsula Development Bureau
Others mentioned are T. F. Marston,
Bay City and c. B. Cook, county
agent for Oakland
During the adjournment period
many of the committees were away
on inspectional trips, and with the
reconvening of the session this week,
the legislature was faced with much
legislation to provide for changes
recommended. Senator John W..
Smith, chairman of the committee on
penal institutions, has a plan for a
complete revision of the system for
handling men and women in the state
prisons. Sen. Smiths plan has the
approval of Gov. Groesbeck.
Against Presidential Primary.
Senator Arthur e. Woods, Detroit,
will, introduce bill asking the repeal
of the Michigan presidential prefer
ence primary act. Immediate abosi-
ton of the Michigan Community coun-
Gil, regardless of whether the legis-
lature investigates its affairs, is urged
in the senate by Senator Herbert
Baker and in the house by Represen-
tative Charles Culver, both of Detroit.
Senator Woods bill to repeal the
presidential primary has already been
introduced in the senate and is ex.
pected to result in a long discussion.
Governor Groesbeck will appoint a