The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-02-14
BOARD URGES
DRASTIC STATE
JOB REFORMS
MCNutt Advisers Would Put
5000 Employees Under
Merit Plan.
SP0ILS SYSTEM RAPED
Punishment of Politics Is
Described as Goal of
Report.

Punishment OF politics from the
appointment If 5000 political"
state employees. including state
police. penal institution officials and
guards. through the adoption OF a
strict merit plan IN replace the
"spoils system" today was recon-
mended by Gov. Paul V. McNutt's
committee on government economy.
These recommendations. along
with scores OF others dealing with
governmental reform. are contained
in the long waited 7OO-page report
announced officially today by the
Governor. The work is the fruit Of
several months study by an IL
member committee headed by
Bernard c. Gavit.
A personnel division would be Gre
ated in the state executive depart
n--nt m manage the merit system.
WI. 4 would apply TO all depart
met :.
MANAGEMENT or Indianas Is
benevolent and correctional lnsti-
tutions would be concentrated IN a
bipartisan, nonSalaried state Board
OF public Welfare and a trained
executive director. to replace the
trustee system of operating these
institutions.
state Police Reorganization
The personnel Office would have
power to classify employment,
stsndardize work. regulate pay and
promotion and for ~nOnpOlitical
positions. administer a system of Sc
lection. employment and tenure on
the sole basis OF. merit.
A bipartisan, nonsalaried advisory
board. appointed for staggered
terms, is recommended TO assist the
personnel director in developing and
enforcing employment standards.
Reorganization of the state po-
lice force under a bipartisan state
police administration board. con-
ssting Of four members named by
.ile Governor. is urged. The board,
the repc.t states. should be given
the powers necessary 70 enable 1t to
supervise. hut not actually to oper-
ate. the state police force.
Sherif's Duties Curtaile6
The report proposes that the D.
lice administration board appoint
the superintendent. who would have
complete executive responsibility for
operation Of the force
Existing state police personnel
would be transferred To the proposed
system. but be subject 70 removal,
after notice and hearing. and new
members would be added only on a
merit basis.
County iails and their admins
trstiOn would be placed under the
charge Of the State Boa r IF Police
Administration and county eNeriffS'
duties as jailer. law enforcement Of
icer and constable would be dis
continued. SheriffS would serve
processes and execute judgments
and DEGREES, and their salaries
should be reduced to conform to his
restricted services. the committee
recommends.
Control ot civ fOlce
Some degree OF supervisory con-
troll over city police forces bv the
state board Is recommended. Mem
hers Of the city police forces. the
committee declares. also should be
selected on a merit basis under the
same standards as the state police,
with a security Of tenure.
Placing the entire highway Sys-
tenn Of the state under the admins
trstion Of the State Highway Com
mission Is recommended. One-quar-
ter Of the existing mileage would be
taken over every year, beginning
July l. 1886.
Extensive amendments 10 laws re-
lsting 10 criminal prosecutions and
court procedure are urged.
school Reforms Listed
A centralized state supervision
over public schools by a nine mem
Der. bipartisan State Board Of cd
ucstion and a qualified director. also
is recommended. along with the
establishment: OF county boar1s OF
education.
Direct control Of county schools.
outside incorporated cities. would be
placed in the county boards. which
would Be composed Of existing
trustees. The board would select the
county school superintendent.
The report recommends reloca-
ton Of existing powers and duties
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