The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-12-12
M'NUTT CALM
AS TRUSTEES
BLAST AWAY
Good Economy His Reply
to Attacks Made at
Farley Here.
Continued From Page One)

ship officials were direct representa-
tlves OF the people who elect them.
and the first to correct any evils of
administration which might croop
up In contrast he pointed out that
a state bureaucracy could only do
this in cumbersome, costly and
longtime process.
Speakers today besides Mr.. Smith
included Mrs. Logan Hughes. state
president OF the Indiana Parent
Teachers Association "A. H. Hines.
president Of the County Superin-
tendents Association and Floyd I.
McMurray, state superintendent of
public instruction.
Resolutions asking for laws max
ing members of the State Tax Com
mission, Public Service Commission.
State Highway Commission and in
dustrial board elective officers are
to be presented to ASSOCIATION dele
gates at the Claypool session this
afternoon.
Investigation to Be Asked
Leon j. Granger, Hammond Tax
payers Association president, and
Robert Brown, Hammond attorney.
said they were preparing the reso-
lutions.
Another resolution, Mr.. Granger
and Mr. Brown said, will ask that a
committee investigate the number
of persons on the state pay roll and
the source, by counties, of all ex-
else taxes.
Sheriff Ray, Marion County, presi-
dent Of the association, and James
A. Slane, Lafayette, executive sec
rotary, criticised statement by
Gov. McNutt that amy movement
Tor retention Of political jobs won't
ind much favor with the public"
The association will oppose any
attempt to centralize state govern
ment and break down home rule,
Sheriff Ray and Mr. Slane said.
The controversy finds the Gov
ernor accusing the association men,
bers Of being guided by self interest
and political eXpediency and the Of
fficials charging the Governor with
fostering a grab for more power.
McNutt Defends Proposal
Actually, the home rule" plant is
a mlsnomer when applied TO some
of the recommendations, particu-
larly those affecting township con-
solicitations, friends of the Governor
say.
The committees findings on local
Govern mental ct1t,ott1ra aon g., 80
duction in the states 1915 town.
ships to not more than 400, or an
average of five to a county.
That means that many less town. |
ship trustees, assessors, advisory |
board members and other county |
officers.
The Governor defends this pro-
poSal on economic grounds, pointing |
out that the county today is more
of an efficient unit of self -govern-
ment than was the township of the |
past, because of the improvement in |
transportation and other factors
making community life more COM
pact.
1t is no violation Of the principle
OF government, he holds, to |
change the local unit to conform to
modern facts as to what constitutes
q locality for governmental purposes.
The Governor said a survey re-
Gently was made of what is regarded
as a fairly prosperous county, now
possessing IA townships. There could |
be no reasons found, he said, why it |
could not be as efficiently governed |
with two townships.
THE whole matter is one of edu-
cation" the Governor said. II real
lie that these changes can not be
made for some time. In fact, we
have found through investigation
that the people are not ready for
them. However, I believe the think
ing CITIZEN and taxpayer will come |
In time TO recognize at least most |
OF them as desirable and that any
movement for the retention of po-
lltical jobs will not find favor"
"Why the Alarm?" He Asks
The Governor said he saw no
reason why there should be i'm
mediate alarm among the county
and township officials because such
legislation was not scheduled for
consideration in any special session
of the assembly that might be
called soon.
Any special session, he pointed
out, would be for consideration of
social security only. The Governor
also pointed out that he appeared
personally before a Senate caucus
to support such pledge. He pointed
out additionally that he will not be
In Office when the next regular Ses-
sion is held.
Alarm has been expressed by the
county and township officials that
social security administration, par
tlcularly that of old-age pensions,
might be monopoliZed by the state.
I'm in favor of giving the local
units as much control as possible, -
the Governor said, but that con-
troll will be limited to that allowed
by the Federal statute, which re-
quireS state supervision"
In addition to the township elimi-
nation, the governmental economy
committee proposals include the
abolition Of that powerful political
unit-the Board of County Commits
SionerS.
The present County Council would
be made the county legislative or
ganization for civil government, thus
permitting legislative body repre-
sentative of all of the citizenship of
the county.
Provision would be made for the
redistricting on a population and
area basis or provide for equitable
representation between urban and
rural residents.
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