The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-01-11
Tax Revision Urged to Boost Revenue in Cross Inaugural


 traffic lights, signals, signs and other safety devices as may be rec quired to promote uniformity ln traffic rsgulations and to insure cn- forcement Of the iaws on all the highways of the state. The cost of the additional patroinen and the installation of such safety devices as may seem necessary could logic- ally come from the highway fund which is derived from the motor vehicle fees and gasoline tax. 1t is only fair that motorists be pro- vided with measures of safety and traffic regulation as well as actual road construction for the large sums the state receives from them in fees.
 MILK CONTROL REVISION
 The last General Assembly met a severe crisis in the milk lndus- try by the passage Of an act es- tablishing q milk control board of three members to be appointed by the governor. The board is deyerv- Ing of the highest praise for what 1t has accomplished in gtabilizing the market. Experience, however, has proved that the milk control act, if 1t is to be fully effective, must be strengthened in several very important respects on which, I am glad to announce, there seems to be a prospect of agreement. A problem which must be solved is how to reduce the price of milk to the consumer. Prompt action on a revision of the act, in accordance with recommendation which will be submitted for your considera. ton, is necessary to avoid another crisis with which the industry Is now threatened.
 It is clear that a strict con. trol agency must be maintained in the milk industry for some time to come. Such an agency may be an independent board as as present: or 1t may be advisable to place the of the milk control act under the dairy and food de- partment. In that case the chair- man of the board would be the dairy and food missioner with whom should be associated the of health and one or more representative of the public at large. Naturally board so con- stituted would require working staff under milk administrator. who might be designated by this or by some other title. such as ex- ecutiye secretary.
 LIQUOR CONTROL REVISION
 The liquor control act passed by the last General Assembly in anticipation of the virtual repeal of the eighteenth amendment stands in need of many changes. Some of these changes relate to details and to the removal of pro- visions which experience has shown to be discriminatory. The great question ls whether the retail sale distilled liquors shall be confined, as 1t ig now, to drug and package stores. Public opinion. I think, is in favor of permitting bona fide hotels, clubs. and restaurants to serve any kind of liquor. A special and puzzling problem Is presented by taverns, which because of their large number 1t is difficult to keep within the law. They should be greatly reduced in mum Der and re- stricted in location before consid- eration can be given to the ques- ton whether they may be per- mitted 10 serve distilled liquors un- der any conditions. Already tav- crns and so-called restaurants which, 1t is alleged, sell illegally hard liquors in resorts along the highways have become a menace to life. We have before us series of most difficult problems which, 1 trust, we may work out together in accordance with prevailing pub- lie opinion. For our guidance we have two Fundamental principles on which, I understand, all agree. The first is state control. The sec. ond is local option.
 STATE GOVERNMENT
 REORGANIZATION
 Ever changing social conditions make 1t advisable and sometimes necessary for the state government to provide new services. As a rule these new services are added with.
 
 tailment of old services which may have become partially or wholly obsolete. AS a result the cost of higher. A state should periodically survey its activities so as to ad- Jubt old and new requirements to one another. Along with the in. crease in activities there is usually involved. as in this state, an over tapping of the. functions of various departments. To this situation ], have twice called the attention of the General Assembly. Action now Is imperative if the cost of govern. m6nt is to be kept within reason able bounds.
 The formal consolidation of de- partments, however. does not go far beneath the surface. What is needed is a study of every function now being performed by each de- partment of state with a view to abandoning, modifying or enlarging their present activities. Only in this way can we keep the state govern ment fully abreast of the times. Tn the interest of economy and effi- ciency. request that you author ize the governor to appoint com mission for comprehensive sur- vcy ofthe business of the state and 10 make its report as soon as it can be completed. l regard the reor- ganization of the state government as 50 important as to Justify a special session of the General Ass sembly if that becomes necessary. TAX LAW REVISION