The Sauk Centre herald., 1925-01-08
Ted christianson Urges
Economy in State Affairs
on Becoming Governor

St. Paul, Jan s. Theodore Chris
tian became governor of Minnesota
yesterday.
Before joint session of the legis-
lsture he took the oath of office, sue
ceeding ]. A. 0. Preus. Both are Re-
publicans, and friends.
Ex-Governor Preus will become the
industrial representative of Minnea-
polls business interests.
Governor Christianson will become
Minnesota's economy executive, if he
has his way. He was inaugurated at
noon.
Economic reorganization of the
state government, careful pairing of
departmental budgets, reduction of
automobile license taxes in lieu of
the gasoline tax impending, and gem
eral frugality where public funds are
concerned were among his immediate
demands upon the Lawmakers.
81 feel singularly forunate," Gov
ernor Christianson said, that it is
my opportunity to work with group
Of men and women constituting a
majority of this body, who have been
my legislative associates, and with
many of whom have worked in this
legislature for decade Out of this
association has come mutuality of
understanding, and, I trust, of SYM
pathy, which should make possible
the utmost cooperation between the
legislative and executive departments
of the government for the next two
years.
"The people Of the state have spok-
en-. In unmistakable terms they have
expressed their desire for re-organ-
ization of the state government and
the utmost economy in its admins
tration. They have declared against
paternalism and against experiments
in government ownership and opera
ton of industrial enterprises. They
have said they do not want increased
bonded Indebtedness. It is my duty
as chief executive, and, I am sure,
your purpose, as members of the Leg
islative branch of the government, to
put into effect these mandates Of the
people" !"
"To have substantial value" Gov.
Christianson said, "the re-organiza-
ton of state government should ac-
complish more than a mere grouping
of administrative agencies on a func-
tional basis. Such grouping is de-
sirable as means Of centering re.
sponsibility, and eliminating overlap
ing of activities and personnel
where such overlapping exists. But
reducing the number of state officials
and employees, although effecting
saving in salaries, would be but
half measure.
"Of greater Importance is placing
somewhere the power to limit those
officials and employees in the spend
ing of money. The legislature exer-.
cises that power to some degree by
appropriating or refusing to appro-.
pirate money-a power which must
never be modified or curtailed. But
the legislature is in session only once
in two years and then for only nine
ty days. It is obviously impossible
to determine with any degree of ex-
actness two years in advance the
minimum requirements of the admin
istrative department. Hence the on
ly safe course is to appropriate
enough-and enough is always too
much. When the legislature ad-
journs it ceases to have any control
over the money it has appropriated.
THE only way to compel the ad-
departments to exercise
the most rigid economy is to lodge
with the executive the power to limit
''There will be submitted to you a
report of the interim committee on
reorganizations. This committee will
recommend:
81. That the ninety-two bu-
reaus, boards and departments of
the state government be consoli-