The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-03-23
|REORCANIzINC
 STATE IGNORED
Gov. Cross Has Appealed to Citizens to BanisEl All
 Present Apathy
By JACK AMMAN


 United Press Stan COrrespondentl
 Hartford, Conn, March 23--tuP) --0overncr Wilbur L. Gross today appealed directly to the ''gEsat mass of Connecticut taxpayers" to save the program for recognizing the state government from the apathy" into which 1t has fallen. Tn my opinion," he said, If this yeorgaiii. zation 1s carried out it will be one of the greatest events in the history of the state in the interests of efn- ciencY economy and coptrcl."
 The governor addressed a group of Connecticut editors and legisla- tive correspondents called together especially to revitaliSe and mobilize public opinion tp favor of recoElEaen. datiOns of the state reorganization commission, which have met with opposition from various sources.
 HeweS Speaks 0e Apathy
 With him were Col. Thomas Heweg, commission chairman, who said he "selt strongly about the present lack of interest and apathy of Connecticut citizens in the re- organization proposals. and former State Senator Kenneth Crsmey, wethersield, g member of the com. mission.
 "There Is no financial set-up worse than we have now," the govs ernor said.
 The newspapermen urged him end the commission to break down into specific details just where savings il, state government could be accom- plished by reorganization. Some suggested the governor take the stump to rally public opinion. He gave no indication he would.
 After more than six years as gov- ernor," he said, T am uncertain aS to what is being done by some state commissions. There iS nothing uai- form anywhere"
 Civil Service Important
 The governor stressed importance of the civil service bill for state em- ployes, which is starred for action today in the house of representa- tiveg.
 "If honestly administered" he said, "the bill will result in 8 grad- ual elimination of incompetent em- ployes. After the bill is passed every ernploye must submit to an exam. nation, taking into consideration his background. general education and knowledge"
 He attacked the present board of finance and control, whose member ship Is overwhelmingly democratic, for its altogether too great powers" 1" He said such board, if 1t wanted to, could raise helll"
 Point by point, Governor Gross took up other recommendatio tions of the reorganization commission and urged the public to rally to their support.
 Col. Hewes said he couldn't uu. derstand tho apathy with which peo. pie view government today. Bu. reaucracy is growing. The question before the state Is: Should the status quo be continued or not?"
 Constructive Step
 This is the most constructive step in the commonwealth of Con. iecticutl" Hewes said, placing his hand on the voluminous report of the commission findings and recom- nlendations.
 The government" said Cramer, "has become without meaning. It Is difiicult to understand. Reorgan- ization Is long overdue. Connecticut should appreciate the complexity of government and take steps to sim. plify 1t.
 You've got to be @ magician to- day to get figures on the state gov- ernmentl"
 It became evident as the luncheon meeting progressed that the admin istration planned Q fight to the last ditch to overcome opposition to the reorganization proposals and virtu. ally would insist upon general as- sembly action this session.
 HeweS indicated a publicity bar rage would be forthcoming from the reorganization commission, whose life has just been extended until June ], in short time.