Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-01-09

Fortieth legislature provided for the
first time. was urged. The governor
recommended that the county be
made the unit Of school support.
Another recommendation made 10
the Fortieth legislature, u state civil
service system to select EMPLOYEES
by the merit system, was renewed.
"One of the first things essential
to the successful development of a
proper prison system in Texas is the
concentration Of the prison plants
ard activities" the governor said,
telling how the farms are scattered
now.
by proper concentration and mod
ernization of the system, employees
probably could be reduced to one
fourth their number with a totsf
saving Of more than 100000 n
ally"
Governor Moody made q short mt
urgent plea for more adequate hous-
ing of insane persons to relieve IN.
county jails where many are held
now because Of lack Of room in
state hospitals.
Somebody should stand between
the consuming masses and the COM
panies furnishing public utility serv-
ice TO the public the governor said
IN advocating public control of u.il-
tiles.
Says Officers Overpaid
He told how unincorporated towns
and villages Of less than 1000 popu-
iation are without regulatory power
and must pay the rates fixed BY
utility companies.
Attention vas called to the fact
that the court Of criminal appeals
has declared the fee system of paw
ing justices Of the peace ~unconsti-
tutional. The governor said he had
no criticism Of the opinion, and in
addition told the legislators that
when you consider the legislation
made necessary by this holding, I
hope you will also consider the
feasibility of adjusting the public
cost of some u public officers By
changing the fee system"
Those who have investigates the
matter know that some OF our Off
GERS receive more money under the
fee system than they could possibly
earn in any other activity Of life.
and to speak frankly. the fee system
forces the people to pay some Of
them more than they are worth."
A copy of the state tax survey
commissions report. disclosing
many inequalities in tho resent tax
alton system, was filed with the gov
errors message. The commission
was appointed by the Fortieth legis-
lature to make investigations on
which reform Of the tax system
could be based.
Would Use Convicts
The governor said he believed that
the law should be amended TO give
the Texas university board OF re-
gents power to negotiate leasing Of
university land. now done b. the
land commissioner.
His reference 10 this subject was
Unexpectedly brief in view Of the re-
cent controversy in which the state
and regents got a district court in
junction 10 prevent lease sales by
the land commissioner. Regents
claimed that the university might
have lost millions Of dollars under
the present leasing Law which Com
missioner j.. T. Robson sought to
enforce before the legislature met.
The governor asked the legislature
to pass a bill authorizing the state
prison board and others. IL deemed
necessary. 70 dispose Of lands now
occupied by the central plant al
Huntsville and the elsven farms in
southeast Texas and % use all funds
so derived in establishing a central
lied system.
Governor Moody also urged a bill
authorizing the board Of control TO
purchase from the prison board "sny
and all supplies, equipment, mate
rial or laobr purchased or used by
or 70 rthe state under the direction
Of the board of control"
As a solution for the employment
problem TO be incurred in the cen
traliEation Of the system the COVER
nor suggested that the convicts raise
sufficient agricultural products 20
supply their wants and needs of 9TH
er state institutions. when economi-
cal. manufacture supplies needed by
state institutions, make products for
state use. such as automobile license
tags and highway signs and crush
rocks for state highways where eco
nomical.