The Delta independent., 1923-03-30
Rockwell's Letter
, >~>>>>>>>>>>> 80

be a general survey of present tax
conditions as l see them, showing the
fallacy Of the idea that any appreciable
saving to the tax payer can be made by
a consolidation bill passed by the Leg
islature and ending with a statement
of fundamental facts as believe they
now exist with the only solution
which seems to me to offer itself at
this time. These letters will appear
this week and next, but should be con-
sidered as one general statement of
facts and figures.
The report of the Special Commit
tee appointed by President Robin H.
Davis of the Denver Civic and Com
meiciai Association to investigate and
study the two code bills before the
Legislature is one of the most com:
plete and fair presentations of this
subject that has yet been made. The
committee is composed of seven of
the leading business and professional
men in Denver, who had no personal
or political interest in the matter, and
Mr.. Davis who appointed the commit
tee was one of the members appoint
ed by Governor Sweet to help draft
the original administrative code bill.
Their report may therefore be con-
sidered as non-political and for the
sole purpose of information and for
the best interests OF the Denver
Civic and Commercial Association and
the State of Colorado.
The summary of their report may
be condensed and their argument
against the legislature passing the Ad-
ministrative Code bill are as follows:
(the words within parenthesis are
mine)
1. The nine commissioners to be
appointed by the Governor under this
bill and who would become the State
Executives would be practically be-
yond the control OF the electors, the
same as the numerous boards and
commissioners they would replace.
2. The Governor would not have
absolute freedom in the selection or
replacement Of the commissioners. be-
cause OF the Civil Service provision OF
the constitution which include these
heads of departments and which can
not be modified by any ordinary ac-
tion OF the legislature. (This no doubt
refers to the provision wherein heads
of departments as well as employees
must be selected from list prepared
by the Civil Service Commission. and
when appointed they cannot be re-
moved except for cause. Their refer
ence to the legislature being unable
to modify these provisions refers OF
course to the fact that the constitu-
tion can not be amended except by a
vote OF the entire people or a Con-
stitutional Convention)
3. The bill practically detaches the
main government functions from the
elective offices established by the
constitution and even In the case of
the Governor leaves little absolute
power in his hands.
4. It sets up a government depen-
dent upon statute and we think is
departure in spirit from the govern,
ment or elective officers contemplated
by our constitution. They add this
very pertinent statement. Much can
be said in criticism OF the outline OF
government contained in our consti-
tutions. but II seems bold to abandon
the whole plan Of administration upon
which our constitution is based with
out at least constitutional change"
5. In some particulars we think
there is doubt as to the constitution
ality OF the proposed administrative
code
6. The financial savings claimed
for the administrative code seem to
us not adequately substantiated. 1.-THE
tentative budget" accompanying the
bill fwherein the claim is made for n
saving OF $500.00) shows that the
preparer Of It has arbitrarily reduced
salaries in nearly all departments
without any indication OF reasons
therefore and representing immense
expenses. No system for this reduc-
tion is made. The pamphlet is not
convincing. The experience in ILL.,
nois and Nebraska with similar meas
ures in dispute shows that the defend.
ers OF these measures In those states,
while claiming increased efficiency
(and may I again insert the fact that
these states do not have the Civil
Services such as we have) do not
claim actual reductions OF expenses as
result Of their enactment. fThese
men might have gone further regard
ing this tentative budget and stated
that many departments important to
the rural communities were cut out
entirely, such for instance. as the Hor-
ticulture work thruout the state. the
Dairy commission. etc. This no doubt
was done from lack II information as
to the actual needs in the rural com.
munities)
I will not take time to discuss the
short criticism Of the Lambert bill but