The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1941-01-08
FULL TEXT OF The MESSAGE OF
GOVERNOR SAM c. FORD TO The
18th LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

: AOOE Dbl
seldom are they able to give the re
quired time to affairs of several In
situations under their control. The
appointive members likewise have but
little opportunity to fortify their &C
tions with adequate information.
Revamp Education Board
l hope the assembly will examine
the situation and determine upon a
course consistent with our needs and
experience by reframing the law rela.
tive to the appointment of the mem.
bersof the board of education and the
law under which it works so as to pro-
duce a higher degree of efficiency and
supervision.
May | direct your attention to the
great increase in offices. departments,
employees during the past several
years. and resulting therefrom, an
alarming growth in the cost of our
I government. With this has come need
less and expensive duplication of serv-
ice.
! There is pressing need for the re-
/ organization of our entire state bust
ness structure, involving consolidation
of offices, boards, departments, and
/ particularly functions of government;
the elimination of Implications; better
coordination and strengthening of ad-
ministrative responsibility If we have
the will and courage for 1t, retrench-
ment can be had without impairing
any essential governmental function.
An intelligent reorganization cannot
be accomplished without thorough
study and survey on which to base
definite legislative action. |, there
fore, recommend the enactment of
suitable legislation, with adequate ap-
preparation, authorizing the governor
OF employ experts and specialists In
state reorganization to undertake a
study and make report and recon-
mendations to the next legislative as
sembly.
| likewise urge the appointment of
joint special committee to determine
what, if any, changes to procure an
immediate saving.
There has been widespread and very
sincere and vigorous criticism of the
so-called "spoils system" as applied to
the employees of this state.
Many responsible people have
charged that there have been numer-
Gus instances where the states money
has been wasted on incompetent en-
ployes, and instances where inferior
applicants with political support have
been appointed in preference to super
Tor applicants who had little or no po-
itical influence.
I believe that we ought to guaran-
tee to all citizens of this state fair
and equal opportunity for public serv-
ice, irrespective of religious or polit-
ical considerations.
Civil Service
Therefore, recommend that you
establish for the state of Montana a
system of personnel administration
based on merit principles and scien-
tific methods, governing the appoint
ment. promotion, transfer, removal
and discipline of its officers and en- |
ployes.
The situation in this state has
reached the point where we, as adj
and legislators, must give
to the people of the state a real hon
est system of personnel administra-
an aa,.ff al ~ o6 r11if
openly that we approve of the scandal
Gus tactics of the so-called "spoils
system" and political machines
By the enactment of a law author
izing the state board of examiners to
outstanding bond issues, con-
| recommend such legisla-
ton so that the state may take adj
of favorable money market.
Under existing law more than $780,
300 is carried in the interest and sink
ing fund for the payment of outstand-
ng refunding bonds of general fund
There is set aside from
he general fund approximately $780,
100 each year, which is held for the
1ext fiscal year and 80 days there
after. Authority should be granted
o invest part of this fund-interest
'eceived-and thus reduce the amount
'equired to be paid from the general
und.
Under the law all monies belonging
% the public school fund and to the (.
)ther permanent funds of the educa-
ional, charitable and penal institu-
ions of the state and all permanent I
unds subject to the provisions of
lrticle XXI of the constitution may
20 invested in the securities enum- {
rated in section 1805.9S, revised codes
If Montana 1885. At the present {
ime there are no general fund war S
ants drawing interest and we are [
rom time to time retiring state bonds. {
KS the financial conditions of the I
cities and school districts |
improve the opportunity for invest
nent will diminish The law should t
e amended so that these funds may I
e invested in revenue bonds of the e
tate which may be issued pursuant O
0 law. v
Over a long period the practice has G
rown up of placing monies received a
y the various department and boards t
4 fees and licenses in a special fund C
Dr. the use of particular board, de-
or institution. In my opin- Il
IN, such a practice breeds wasteful- a
ess and inefficiency and violates the Il