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Show 'CABINET' IDEA IS y SUCCE8SJ IDAHO Governor Davis and Heads of Departments Express Approval of Plan. Reports Show Gem State Is Prospering Along Many Lines. BOISE, Ida., July 14. "The most successful suc-cessful conference held by the cabinet since the establishment of the new form of state government," is the way Governor Gover-nor Davis characterizes the third meeting of departmental commissioners last week. "Constructive and analytical reports were submitted by the various commissioners and the fact that the state is taking progressive pro-gressive steps under the new system is apparent on the face of the results so far obtained," Several commissioners also expressed themselves as well satisfied with the man-k man-k ner in which the new ideas were shaping w the affairs of their departments. Most of them were of the opinion that it would require considerable time to adjust the new organization to the methods of practice, prac-tice, but it is surprising how well the cabinet cab-inet idea meets the requirement of present pres-ent day needs for a business-like administration admin-istration of state affairs, according to the general verdict. Reports Show Activity. The reports of the various commissioners commission-ers are most complete and more comprehensive compre-hensive than those of the former two months. They indicate the officials are now better acquainted with the affairs of their departments. As Commissioner Elmer of the investments invest-ments department expresses it. "The entire en-tire organization as well as the method of procedure was new to all of us and we are now becoming familiar with the new statutes which govern the action and coordination co-ordination of the big system." G. E. Bowerman, commissioner finance, compares the new form of government to a large corporation with sound management- which demands a strict accounting for every cent expended and predicts that the cabinet plan will be a success. Robert O. Jones, secretary of stjite. Is also of the impression that the affairs of state are proceeding in a. manner which cannot help but bring ultimate results which will prove to the people of Idaho that the commission form of government govern-ment has merit. Save Liberty Bonds. Commissioner Bowerman, In his report to Governor Davis, read at the cabinet meeting, warns the people of Idaho who have Liberty bonds to hold them and not be coaxed into exchanging government bonds for other so-called investments. He has outlined a campaign of education in this matter which will be carried on through the newspapers in an effort to stamp out this evil. This action is in harmony with a resolution adopted at the recent bankers' convention at Burley. A uniform system of bookkeeping is also bein established in the offices of the county auditors throughout the state. The entire reorganization will- be completed when six more counties are examined. The report also referred to the activity activ-ity of . the department during tho last , month in shaping the affairs of the new administration by ordering a complete report re-port of bonds in the various counties. IK. Notes Solve Difficulty. State Treasurer Eagelson in his report informed tho cabinet that a total Indebtedness Indebt-edness of $1,200,000 with $200,000 as balance bal-ance over and above the taxes levied and a year's expenses ahead of it, with no tax money that could be levied and collected before January and July of 1920 was the problem that had to be faced when the new administration took over the reins of government. In order to meet the situation situa-tion it was necessary to ..Issue treasurv notes to the sum of SI ,700,000. This transaction trans-action was closed only last week and as a result a hugo saving is being effected In interest on registered warrants, according accord-ing to the report. Th legislature authorized the issuance of $3,000,000 of treasury notes for general expenses, and $1,800,000 for road work during the years 1919 and 1&20, to run one year from date of issue, based on the tax levy made by the legislature. Treasurer Eagelson submitted a. report covering the past six months which shows a total of earnings and savings irl his department de-partment of 545,214.93. The total amount Appropriated for the c.epartment for two years is ?32,9o0, and the basing the total 'expenditure on the period for the first six months, a saving of one and one-half as much as the total appropria tion will be rffected. At present there is a balance of S-.264.704.39 in all funds. Some 400 cases of whisky and several . automobiles were confiscated during the past month and many, violators of the liquor law were apprehended by Superintendent Superin-tendent of Constabulary Bres hears, according ac-cording to the report of Robert O. Jones, commissioner of law enforcement. Many arrests resulted when members of the constabulary opened their campaign cam-paign to make every auto owner conform con-form with the law requiring two licenses to be carried on each car. The bureau of license, which is also Six cases where the state's claim has been totally obliterated came to the attention at-tention of the department during the past month, states Commissioner Klmer. Fruit Industry. The fruit Industry of Idaho, with the exception of Italian prunes, is in very good condition, according to the report of Miles Cannon, commissioner of agriculture. agri-culture. Inspections were made of 2341 orchards during the past quarter. The apple crop for 1919 will exceed 3000 cars, states the report, with an average price of S1U00. Prunes will bring $1500 a car, estimates the commissioner. It is also stated that arrangements have been practically completed for the i state fair at Boise and the Lewiston i livestock fair at Lew'ston this fall. j A report covering the hay situation !s submitted which forecasts that the yield this year will fall short not less than 28 : per cent, due to the shortage of water. Commissioner Cannon also takes occasion occa-sion to criticise the high price of foodstuffs food-stuffs and commodities. Under the bureau of animal Industry 121,9-13 sheep were inspected during the1 last quarter, which gives a fair idea of ; the extensive interests of Idaho In this feature of the livestock industry. . Saving in Supplies. F. S. Flint, director of the bureau of supplies, reports through the commissioner commission-er of public works that a saving of $-1500 has been effected to the state by the purchase pur-chase of supplies in large quantities. The situation in Butte county resulting result-ing from the differences in opinion regarding re-garding the adaptability of the land near Arco, where the two Lost rivers disappear, disap-pear, for dry farming is explained in a report submitted by O. H. Barber, commissioner com-missioner of immigration, labor and statistics. sta-tistics. William J. Hall, commissioner of public pub-lic works, reviews the activity of his department de-partment on public highway construction and also the cooperation given the various vari-ous boards in the matter of considering road Improvements. The report also states that bid3 for the! new capitol wings will be advertised for 1 about July 20. It is anticipated that ! work on the new building on the east i will be commenced early in August. Frank J. Clayton, chairman of the industrial in-dustrial accident board, submitted a financial report covering the first six: months which shows an expenditure of $0S67.6l, compared with a proportionate proportion-ate allowance for the half year of $10,-230. under this department, reports that the bureau has completed its work of codifying codify-ing and having printed the different practice prac-tice acts, together with rules and regulations. regu-lations. Receipts Heavy. Receipts in the fish and game department depart-ment amount to $14,149, or more than $4000 greater than the previous year during dur-ing the corresponding month. X comprehensive report on the activity activ-ity of the fish department was submitted submit-ted by Commissioner George F. Isaacs, giving detailed facts concenng the operation opera-tion of hatcheries throughout the state. During the past month twenty-five licenses li-censes have been Issued to insurance ! agents, including life, fire and mlscel-i mlscel-i ianeous, said Jay Gibson, commissioner of banking. From January 1 to July 1 the department depart-ment of banking refused thirty-four ap-i ap-i plications for charters and granted one , consolidation and one new charter. Re- fu?als. in some instances, were due to the fact that the bank was to be organized to satisfy personal differences, and in others because the commissioner considered consid-ered the field sufficiently well cared for, i states the report. At present there are i 13S state banks, thirty-three of which axe ! members of the federal reserve. Work Shows Profit. J. K. White, commissioner of public welfare, reported field inspectors in his department had made 252 inspections and collected $1722 in fees, at a cost of S41S.44. Comprehensive reports were also included in-cluded in the main return by Ernest E. Laubaugh, chief of the bureau of public health service: J. W. Ash, in charge of the natatorium at Lava Hot Springs; S. M. C. Reynolds, commandant of tho Idaho Soldiers' home; Dr. D'Orr Poynter, medical superintendent of the sanitarium at Nam pa; John W. Givens, medical su- , perintendent of the Northern Idaho sanitarium sani-tarium at Orofino, and Albert H. Wilson of the public welfare department, in charge of inspections. , Laws Inadequate. Because of inadequate provisions in the laws or regulations and in the appropriation appropria-tion for tho -proper policing of the : streams it has been difficult to properly ! supervise the distribution of the water j in accordance with the various righta on i the several streams in the state, according accord-ing to tho report of W. G. Swendsen, commissioner of reclamation. The report states that certain canal companies owning senior rights on the various streams, which still enjoy use of a full canal of water, have been prevailed pre-vailed upon to assist companies less fortunate. for-tunate. A serious damage will result to the late crops, sush as sugar beets, potatoes, pota-toes, etc., over the entire state. In the lower Snake River valley, the Boise -.alley and territory covered by tbo Welser and Payette rivers, where the crops mature ma-ture somewhat earlier than- elsewhere In the state, the damage to crops from the drought is not so serious. Commissioner Elmer of the department of public investments again calls attention atten-tion to the deplorable condition of many i of the mortgages held by the state. In 1 . many Instances the state mortgage loan , records disclose a condition which would ! indicate that the system of making loans ; on farm property from the endowment 1 funds is fatally in error, so much so that it might be well to discontinue making such loans entirely, states the report. |
