The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-17

mission employ chief highway en-
Eineer, who shall devote his whole
thine to the work, and who shall be
associated with the chairman at the
central office under the supervision
of the chairman and commission.
I further recommend that tax
be levied on gasoline and covered
into the state treasury, to be- used
as a maintenance, fund for the. no
keep of the roads built. This. money
to be expended only upon the re-
QUESTION of the chairman, approved by
the governor, for maintenance ana
upkeep and an itemized statement az
such expenditure be filed with tue
requisition. And, if all of such tax
is not required for any one year for
this purpose, it be covered into the
state treasury.
National Guard
The national guard of a state %
the executives strong right arm. in
the enforcement of law. in keeping
down invasion, in protecting the
weak. they are needed in government.
The national guard of Alabama "ear-
ries no flag, that does not think OF !
Alabama's welfare, no bayonet that
does not salute her civil power.
The flower of our young manhood
4 have always answered their country's
call. commend them to your sup
port in whates er is deemed essential
for their efficiency and proper sup
port.
Courts
In many Of the counties of the
state the fine and forfeiture is ex-
hausted, and jurors and witnesses at
tending court are not promptly paid
4Asave much money and aid in the
prompt enforcement of law.
Courts are frequently prolonged
and jurors and witnesses held oyer
pending the settlement of pleadings,
etc. before the matter is at issue.
1t would be wise to formulate plan
by some rule of procedure approved
by the supreme court, where all
pleadfngs and preliminaries would be
settled in advance of the trial of the
case. and thus prevent jurors and
witnesses having to attend sessions
of the court pending these matters,
and thereby save considerable ex
pense.
1t might also be well to consider
a plan by which all fines, forfeitures.
q and costs. be paid in money, instead
Of county scripts or other paper.
Conservation
The suggestions recently made by
Hon. E. f. Allison of Bellamy. Ala,
lumberman and game conservation
list. is worthy Of serious considera-
ton Much of the cut-over lands
which are going to waste could be
made to produce timber for future
generations. Forest fires that de-
stroy growing timber should be pro-
hibited, and the conservation of
these natural resources should be
made careful study.
The splendid work of Mr.. Allison
In conserving the game life of our
state deserves commentator, and
Alabama owes him debt OF graft
tude.
Looking to the future he sees pos
sibilities untold in our cut over and
wasting lands. We are not only
legislating for today, but for the
future, and program of conserva-
ton along the lines suggested would
bring developments of value. The
commissioner of conservation is
working upon plans to this end. and
it might be well for you to appoint
a committee to confer with him and
Mr.. Allison and others familiar with
this subject. and evolve a plan that
will conserve this Cod given ret
source, thereby prevent waste and
useless destruction, and bring back
the cut over lands to usefulness and
conserve for future generations what
we now enjoy.
Alabama owes to the late John II =
Wallace. a debt of gratitude that can
not be paid. He conceived our game
and fish laws; he put into execution
! these laws, and started our common
wealth in the great work of con-
serving our wild life of fish and
game. We should follow his work
up and continue to protect and fos-
ter conservation of all these things
that add TO our happiness and pros
perity. His successor is furthering
this great undertaking and is en-
deavoring to work out plans that
will perpetuate and enlarge conser5-
alton of all our resources. We should
operate as far as possible with
him in this work.
Adjustment Of office
l. I recommend the adjustment of
4 the state board OF control and econ
omy.
l recommend the adjustment of
tax agents.
7 recommend the reduction of the
number OF registrars
/ suggest that you appoint COM.
mittee to investigate every DEPART
ment of government. ascertain
salaries paid and make recon-
mendations abolishing all I'M
necessary assistance, all duplication
of work not inconsistent with eff
cheney and service. The salaries Of
state officials and employees should
not be in excess of salaries paid for
like service in private business. AMI
a careful investigation should be
made and salaries reduced where the
service rendered does not demand the
salary now fixed. Economy in ad-
ministering government has been
promised the people, and l am sure
every state official will cooperate
with you in making the administra-
tion of this office to the minimum
cost of service.
urge that no appropriation be
made at this session, except for the
institution for feeble minded.
Code
n The codifier of our state laws will
make his report and the new code
Is to be adopted. ! therefore recon-
mend that you appoint committee
to report on same
1t will therefore be necessary for
you to adjourn for this purpose.
Adjournment
| In order to save an extra session
of your body, / recommend that you
adjourn in. the next 10 days to meet
again in April, If possible. That dur !
ing your adjournment you appoint
| a committees:
A. To confer with the budget COM
mission and ascertain the financial
status of the state.
1.lts outstanding Indebtedness.
Iv.@ I. has . N n = n