Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1921-01-14
Legislative Leaders Named.

will act during the fifty.first legisla,
ture:
House: Fred L. Warner. Belding
Ionia county, speaker; Fred E. Dunn,
Highland Park, Wayne county. speak
or pro tenn; clerk, Charles s. Pierce,
Lansing, Ingham county; sergeantat-
arms. Richard Birkholm, Berrien
county.
Senate: Walter ]. Hayes, Crosse
Pointe. Wayne county, president pro
tenn; Dennis e. Award. Clare
county, secretary; James r. Davis.
Bay county, sergeant-at-arms.
The house elected Ira G. Ormsbee,
of Flint. postmaster of the legislature,
while the senate chose R. 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 to the
Legislature his plan for efficiency in
state affairs, recommending creation
of a department of agriculture and
eliminating several boards and bu-
reaus. Governor Groesbeck said In
part:
1--WE are sorely in need Of depart
ment of agriculture organized as the
proper legislative committees may
determine.
when organized, 1t should include
in it's 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.
I'm connection with these sugges-
tions, your attention is called to the
affairs of the Michigan State Agricul-
tural society, which, under state au-
thority mas permanently located its
fair grounds in Wayne county, and
acquired property much fr2xcess OF
that permitted by the laws under
which 1t operates. This society is
performing a purely public function.
In the past, appropriations have been
made by the legislature for the pur-
pose of promoting its educational ad-
vantages and undertakings.
"It is essential that the state should
lend every assistance consistent with
sound public policy to further and
stimulate It's activities and place It's
affairs on a plane commensurate with
the standing of Michigan In the agri
cultural world.
1.-The only feasible way to do this is
for the state to control its operations.
Legislative action should be taken
authorizing the requirement OF all the
assets of the Michigan State Agricul
tural society; and when this Is ac
complished, confine it's future conduct
to the department Of agriculture.
where 1t rightfully belongs.
Labor Department Needed.
Most states now have an industrial
aud labor department. We should have
one in Michigan. There was an ap-
propriation of $4,000 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 OF
Jurisdiction relative to labor matters
and 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 su-
pervision of the state accident fund.
Administrative Board.
I'm some other states they have
abolished all their institutional
DOdIuS anu SCheioio ooioAaSo
board, 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 to provide responsible
supervision of state expenditure sub
sequent to appropriation by the legis-
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 board, and its
officers and agents are made subject
to its control.
Aid for Common Schools.
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