The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-12-15
(Official City, State and County
Newspaper)
Foreign Representatives
SMALL. SPENCER, BREWER
(1ncorporateO
CHICAGO NEW YORK BOSTON
The Job Remains

Inc JOD REMAINS
Cursory examination of the pro.
posed state budget might give thu
taxpayer the idea that the fisca
problems OF the incoming admins
tration have been solved by the worl
Of the state budget board.
It also might appear that thi.
board, composed Of political oppon.
ents Of state officials elected in Nov.
ember, has pointed the way whereby
the victors may fulfill prediction
promises made to the voters.
Even a little study proves that this
is not the case, however. The bud
get boards report provides for the
same structure Of government which
we now have and makes no provision
. for the elimination Of bureaus and
commissions about which much has
been heard.
Nearly everyone agrees, apparent
ly, that this is desirable goal. The
problem still remains as to how the
end Is to be attained.
The answer to the question OF
method is clear. Either the services
performed by bureaus and commits
sions must be eliminated altogether
or the duties assigned to them must
be turned over to departments al
ready established. There is no other
way and the legislature must choose
which of the two courses offered it
will pursue II the job is to be done
at all.
Analysis Of the situation is made
easy by perusal of pamphlet is
sued by the secretary Of state which
lists all boards and commissions con-
nected, directly or indirectly, with
the state government. Altogether
there are As Of them, including five
associations. OF this number Is
boards list as members only indivi-
duals who hold other state offices.
These are the so-called ex-officio
boards. These, however, employ nu-
merous workers, some only a few and
others quite a number. OF the other
boards many list one or more ex-
officio members and some spend no
state money whatsoever. In the lat
ter classifications are those boards
which determine professional quail
fications and issue professional IL
censes, such as the architects, bar,
medical and other boards.
OF the As boards and associations
which now comprise, directly or In
directly, a part OF the state govern
ment. the budget proposes to elm
mate eight with appropriations to-
falling $81 800. These boards and the
amounts appropriated for them in
1891 follow: Governmental Survey
commission, $4,000; Chicago EXPOSE
ton commission, $4,000; Industrial
Survey commission, $4,000; Missouri
River commission, 5000; Board of
Sterilization examiners, $500; State
Corn show. $4,000; State fairs, $751;
900: Teachers Interest and Retire.
ment fund, 5000.
OF these, the first four, with ap-
preparations totaling $4,000. were
not intended to be continuing COM
missions. They eliminate themselves.
The others were incidental functions
OF government or gratuities granted
by the state for specific purposes.
Their elimination does nothing to
tighten up the governmental struc-
ture.
If real savings are to be made and
political promises fulfilled, the legis-
lature and incoming officials must
assume the task. It still remains to
be done.
At first blush It appeared that
group Of public officers autagonistic
TO those coming into power had pro-
Hded their successors with . quick
and easy solution to the problem
created By their campaign promises.
This. however, Is not the case. The
taxpayer has been treated to no such
political paradox.