PAGE TWO THE MICHIGAN DAILY TUESDAY, JUNE 9-9, 1937 PAGE TWO TUESDAY, JUNE 29, 1931 T!!!M THE MICHIGAN DAILY Official Publication of the Summer Session How Nebraska's Experimental Legislature Conducted Itself By CURTIS A. BETTS (From The St. Louis Post-Dispatch) On The Level I / Edited and managed by students of the University of Michigan under the authority of the Board in Control of Student .Publications. Published every morning except Monday during the University year and the Summer Session. Member of the Associated Press The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to the use for republication of all news dispatches credited to it or not otherwise credited in this newspaper. All rights of republication of all other matter herein also reserved. Entered at the Post Office at Ann Arbor, Michigan as second class mal matter. subscription(uring summer by carrier, $1.00; by mail. $1.50. During regular choolyear, by carrier. $4.00; by mail, $4.50. Member, Associated Collegiate Press, 1936-37 REPRESENTED FOR NATIONAL ADVERTISING BY National Advertising Service, Inc. College Publishers Representative 420 MADISON AVE. NEW YORK, N.Y. CHICAGO - BOSTON - SAN FRANCISCO LOS ANGELES . POhTLAND - SEATTLE EDITORIAL STAFF MANAGING EDITOR ..........RICH ARD G. HERSHEY CITY EDITOR..................... JOSEPH S. MATTES Associate Editor: Clinton B. Conger, Horace W. Gil- more, Charlotte D. Rueger. Assistant Editors: James A. Boozer, Robert Fitzhenry, Joseph Gies, Clayton Hepler. BUSINESS STAFF e BUSINESS MANAGER ..................JOHN R. PARK ASSISTANT BUS. MGR. ......NORMAN B. STEINBERG PUBLICATIONS MANAGER ...........ROBERT LODGE CIRCULATION MANAGER .........J. CAMERON HALL NIGHT EDITOR: CLINTON B. CONGER The- Civil Service Bill .. . T HE MICHIGAN LEGISLATURE adjourned without passing the Civil Service Bill. That such came to pass is cause for cynicism but hardly a surprise to those who have listened to legislators privately speak of the bill, or to those who have talked with Lansing newspapermen. The bill was drafted by the Civil Service Study Commission, the chairman of which was Prof. James K. Pollock of the political science de- partment, and in the opinion of many experts would have given Michigan the best civil service in the world. Its failure of passage was certainly not from lack of publicity. Many men and organizations and the majority of the State's newspapers backed the bill wholeheartedly. Civic societies throughout the state pressured legislators (but not enough). Candidates in the last election pledged themselves to vote for the measure. Lead- ers in both parties expressed themselves strongly in favor of the bill. Yet in the face of all this avowed support the Civil Service Bill did not pass. Responsibility for its failure must, of course, be laid to the politicians. And they cannot be summarily censured. They were governed by the natural instinct to survive in the next elec- tion, especially the Democratic legislators who must rely on government patronage, while Re- publicans are often privileged to distribute jobs in large corporations. They were acting as heritage commanded. The same was true of those party leaders who openly espoused the measure but privately worked against it; the politician's instincts, rather than the states- man's, dominated their actions. It was a question of survival in present-day politics, and what other result could we expect, the roots of patronage being as deep as they are? Apparently there remain only two logical ways for the bill to become law. One is by referen- dum, which Governor Murphy is apparently con- sidering. The other is by renewed efforts to educate the people of Michigan to the value of this civil service bill, and then to trust that candidates in the next election will be pledged irrevocably to vote for the measure. But this, as indicated in the last election, hardly works when the test comes. In consideration of these developments we have printed on this page today the first part of an article by Curtis A. Betts, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, dealing with the first session of the unicameral legislature of Nebraska. We feel that Nebraska's experiment is well worth studying. If, as Mr. Betts suggests, the one-house legislature eliminates the politics seemingly inherent in the bicameral system, then Nebraska's system demands the attention of every Michigan citizen. We recommend that every one interested) in good government read Mr. Betts' article. In such a system, perhaps, this State will find a way to turn strong public opinion, such as backed the Civil Service Bill, into law. Oarsmen submit to greater physical punish- ment and receive less personal recognition than athletes in any other college sport. Why they do it, probably every one of the participants, but not more than a few spectators, can answer. -The Literary Digest. British discipline is strong. A visitor at the recent fire college told of the maintenance of a sentry at a solitary gate at the fort at Gibraltar. He didn't seem to be doing much good, but one had always been there-since 1703. Finally THE NEBRASKA common sense step in pro- gressive government in establishing a one- house Legislature with members elected on non- political ballots, supplanting the boss and lobby controlled two-house body, has satisfied the cit- izenship of the state to such an extent that the sidetracked professional politicians dare only feeble criticism of the experiment. The first session of Nebraska's unicameral Leg- islature ended six weeks ago, and there has not been a suggestion from any person of promi- nence in the state that it would be well to return to the old system. Gov. R. L. Cockran, a Democrat elected on a partisan ballot, though not a convert to the one-house system, told the writer that "based on the record of accomplish- ment, which after all is the real test, the plan has worked out satisfactorily." It cannot be said that subversive political in- fluences were instantly and automatically ban- ished by the change in legislative methods, but to one who has observed the operations of the two-house Missouri Legislature for many years, as has this writer, there comes a firm conviction that Nebraska has adopted a plan which is me- chanically correct and under which Missouri and every other state can have intelligent law making and can end the influence of political bosses and self-serving politicians in the enactment of laws. Without precedent in this country to guide them, the supporters of the changed system have had to feel their way, and in the first session there were instances which showed that they had not been able to foresee all that the in- genuity of practiced politicians could accom- plish, but nevertheless in a few months the state has made remarkable progress toward getting the best in lawmaking. With the unicameral Legis- lature as a start, it has initiated steps toward abolishing politics in county governments and toward centralization of responsibility for the State government in a decreased number of elec- tive State officials. Success Is Up To Vote s A good system cannot of itself be a guarantee of perfect government, any more than can a per- fectly constructed automobile or airplane func- tion efficiently without an intelligent driver. Under the unicameral legislative system the people of the state is the driver and in the final analysis the system will function for good gov- ernment only to the extent that the voters accept their responsibility seriously and use intelligent care in the selection of the members of the Leg- islature. Three-fourths of the members of the new Legislature, though elected on non-political bal- lots, had served as members of previous Legis- latures to which they were elected as partisans, and it is not to be wondered that they did not cease to be Democrats and Republicans over night. The wonder is that they were able to cast aside partisanship to the great extent they did in their legislative actions. Most of them had been political leaders of some sort in their communities and had their political followings, but as future elections on a non-political basis are held, it is reasonable to assume, elections will more and more lose their political aspects with the result that the legisla- tors will be chosen more because of their stand- ings as citizens than as politicians. But even though politics was not entirely ab- sent in this first session, the atmosphere of the Legislaure was not political. On, a two-day visit to the body before its adjournment, the writer received a distinct impression of studious, conscientious consideration of the problems up for solution at that time, in sharp contrast to the irresponsible mob action which characterized the Missouri House of Representatives almost daily wuring the recent and many previous ones, and the coldly calculated politics of the Missouri State Senate, lobby directed and serving the interest of political bosses, partisan politics and special business advantage. The big start toward revamping the Govern- ment in Nebraska is due largely to the efforts of three men, United States Senator George W. Norris, former Congressman John N. Norton and Dr. JohnP. Senning, professor of Political Science of the University of Nebraska. They looked upon State Government as a business which should be conducted along business lines in the best social and economic interest of the people of the State who paid the cost of govern- ment. They discussed among themselves and with others they called into their conferences the whole problem of the State government, how it could be improved. In these conferences they looked to the time when politics would be abol- ished in the management of the local affairs of; the state and the counties and when state laws would be passed on the basis of merit rather than for partisan political advantage or to repay selfish interests for favors granted politicians and political parties. Only A Start Attempted Though theorists, these three men were very practical theorists, and two of them at least,. Norris and Norton, had had long experience in practical politics. They early came to the con- clusion that their entire plan would fail if they attempted to do more than make a start toward accomplishment of their ultimate aim. They toward their other objects. Under Norton's force- ful guidance, the Legislature in its first session submitted a Constitutional amendment for a short state ballot, on which only the governor, lieutenant-governor and state auditor would be elected. Other state officials would be appointed by the governor. That proposal will be voted on in the next election. Through a bill introduced by Senator R. M. Howard of Flats (the members are called Sen- ators), an effort was made to provide for the election of county officials on non-political bal- lots, but that failed. It brought the chairmen of the Democratic and Republican State Commit- tees scurrying to Lincoln, and the strongest po- litical pressure was brought to bear on the mem- bers, who. as has been explained, were still Dem- ocrats and Republicans ,to kill it. It struck at the very basis of political organization of both parties, and its passage would have wrecked them, abolished the jobs and perquisites which keep them alive. The bill failed by a vote of 17 to 26, but the fact that one-third of the mem- bers ignored party leaders and ignored political considerations led the supporters of the bill to the conclusion that the reform could be accom- plished in a relatively short time. The evils of the old legislative system had been apparent in Nebraska for many years, just as they have been apparent to those who have observed legislative conditions in Missouri and other states. As long ago as 1913, Norton, then a member of the Legislature, attempted to have submitted a one-house Legislature amendment to the Constitution. He failed then and in sev- eral subsequent efforts. In 1923 Senator Norris joined in the movement, which made little prog- ress until 1934, when Norris threw himself whole- heartedly into the battle and made it the leading issue in the state. In Nebraska as in Missouri and other states, the controlling influences in legislation were pol- itics and the lobbyists representing special in- terests. The party organizations there as else- where were to a considerable extent in collusion with these special interests, which contributed to party campaign chests and often to the indi- vidual campaign funds of candidates for the Legislature. They received their payment through legislative favors possible because of the blind following of political legislative leaders by polit- ical legislators. Evils That Existed Elsewhere The secrecy which characterized much legis- lative procedure was of vast help in concealing from the voters the real facts about legislation. With two houses there was constant "buck pass- ing," and it was usually impossible to definitely fix responsibility for bad laws or for failure to pass good laws. The conference committee, common to the procedure of all bicameral legislatures, was effec- tively and secretly used in Nebraska, as it is in Missouri and every other state to permit a very few, six to 10 members, to write the most im- portant legislation. When two houses of a Legislature are unable to agree in the passage of a bill, it is referred to a conference committee which consists of from three to five members of each house. This committee, meeting in secret, can rewrite the bill, and while it goes back to the two houses for their votes, in practical operation the con- ference committee writes the law, as almost al- ways conference committee reports are made in the closing hours of the legislative session when a majority of the members are anxious to go home and are giving little attention to the details of legislation. It is seldom a conference commit- tee report, regardless of what it may contain, fails of adoption. In a one-house legislature there are no con- ference committees. The advocates of the Constitutional amend- ment in Nebraska were convinced from the out- set that unless political leadership in the Leg- islature was prevented, the one-house set-up would be little if any better than the old, and they incorporated in the amendment a provision that there should be no party designations on the legislative ballots in the election. The organization politicians of both parties fought the amendment, as did the special inter- ests lobbyists, and nearly all the newspapers in the state. Senator Norris campaigned the state vigorously for it. The amendment was adopted by a majority of 92,934 in a total vote of 479,239, receiving majorities in 84 of the 93 counties. The size of the new Legislature was not fixed in the amendment, that question being left to the last bicameral Legislature within limits of 30 and 60. The number of members was fixed by the Legislature at 43. Under the bicameral system there had been 33 Senators and 100 members of the House. The opinion of Senator Norris and his asso- ciates in the movement that politics could be largely abolished in elections on non-political ballots was shown to have been justified in the November, 1936, election in which the new Leg- islature was elected for the first time. Although President Roosevelt, as the Democratic candidate, carried the state by 99,823, receiving three out of every five votes cast, 22 Democrats and 21 Republicans were elected to the Legislature. In an election which went overwhelmingly Demo- cratic on political ballots, the Legislature was as evenly divided as could be between the two parties. THE PRIZE STAND-OFF of the year goes to a girl who unfortu-1 nately is known only by the fictitious I name of "Marjorie Daw.' This "Miss Daw." a very nice looking blonde, wasf recently bothered by a pest who flirt-1 ed around with her as she sat parked in a car across from one of the cam- pus theatres. To get rid of the fellow, - she finally told him that her name was "Marjorie Daw" and that she could by reached at the telephone number 4-0-1-7. Then she drove away wreathed in a mysterious smile. The fellow, who asks to be left nameless that he can be merely the1 unknown goat, went home and waited on pins and needles until nightfall.1 Then, with trembling fingers, he dialed 4-0-1-7. Quickly the answer came, "Good evening. Ann Arborr Public Library." Somewhat taken back by this, the sucker finally assumed that his blonde Venus was a librarian, and meekly asked for "Marjorie Daw." The voice on the library end of the l phone replied that she would see if "Marjorie Daw" was in, and after a minute returned to state that "Mar-1 joric Daw" was out but would be in iU he called at the Library around 10 o'clock. In his slickest Sunday best our hero raced to the Library at 10 bells and asked the woman at the desk for "Marjore Daw." As you have prob-1 ably already guessed, the librarianl went back into the files and handed the poor fellow a novel, "Marjorie Daw" by Thomas Bailey Aldrich! -- - IFRANK HULSWIT, dashing l Dent Junior who transferred I here from Chicago, panicked a few onlookers at the University golf course yesterday. Playing with George Hanson, a perpetual l s u m m e r schooling engineer, Frank skied a ball from one of the tecs, and the ball flew higher until it threatened to disappear into some low-hanging clouds. "Fore, God!" boomed Franklyn in a voice that was heard all over the course. -0- A MIX-UP that compares with the one mentioned in yesterday's col- umn (concerning the Ypsi blindates),I greatly embarrassed Hope Petrouleas the other night. Hope, who wasC labelled "Dawn Patroleas" by Walt Woodward, had a date for Saturday ±u'iu, uwif. r1f z~ i l1 !-loo U'dUC ilnieit+-H Classified Directory NOTICE Pl ace advertisemnents; with Classi fied Advcrtising 'Departmnict. Phone 2-:3241.__________ The classified coiumns close at five STANLEY BUTLER, teacher of piano, o'clock previous to day of insertion. hhly recaninended by Gay Maier. Box numbers may be secured at no hilyicmendbyGyMe. extra charge. Beginning and advanced students Cash in advance lie per reading line accepted. Special Cass lessons for for one or two insertions. 1Oc per read- ing line for three or more insertions. beginners from 5 to 7. Lessons start (om basis of five average wordh to line), immediately. Phone 2-1274. 599 l i 0in mn three lines, per insertion. Telephone rate -- te per reading line - fr two or more insertions. Minimum TYPTNG: Neatly and accurately done three lunes per insecrtion.TYIGNetyadcureldo. 101 discount if paid within ten days Mrs. Loward, 613 Hill Street. Phone from the date of last insertion. 5244. 568 LAUNDRY WANTED LAUNDRY WANTED WANTED: Student.: to work for Priced Reasonably board. Good food. 1223 Hill. Phone All Work Guaranteed 2-2276. Mrs. Schlee. STUDENT LIST - Shirts .......12c FOR RENT Shorts............4c - ________ Tops. ......... ...4c THREE AND ONE-HALF BLOCKS Handkerchiefs .................4 from campus. Two doubles, two Hokrh...................c singles. 327 E. William. Phone Sacks ..... 3c ...... .... 2-2203. 601 Pajamas .....................loc -23 0 CO-ED LIST Slips...........0c3 SINGI4 rooms for girls near cam- Dresses ........................25c pus. Clean, newly decorated. Home Panties.......................7.7c privileges. Phone 3968. 606 Handke.chiefs................. . ..2c Pajamas1......... . c to .. FURNISHED APT. with private bath Hose (p.) .....................3c and shower. Continuous hot water. Silks, wools our specialty. All bundles Garage or parking space. 422 E. done separately-no markings. Call Washington. Phone 8544. 605 for and deliver. Phone 5594. Silver Laundry. 607 E. Hoover. 3x FOR RENT: Very attractive single -------room. Shower bath. Hot and cold EXPERIENCED laundress doing stu- running water. Phone 7796. 604 dent laundry. Call for and deliver. Phone 4863. 2x SINGLE and double rooms for girls. --_ _Large and airy, large yard, trees. LAUNDRY 2-1044. Sox darned. 1511 Washtenaw. Tel. 3851. 603 Careful work at low price. lx r B E A U T IF U L L Y furnished brick LOST AND FOUND apartment for summer. 2 bedrooms, LOST: Brown gabrdine urse. A-- $60 month plus utilities, 1506 Pack- LOST: Brown gabardine purse. An- ard. 602 gell Hall. Reward. Return to 319 S. 5th Ave. or to Lost and Found FOR RENT: Room with cooking fa- office, University. 600 cilities, shower bath, in exchange -t cfor light work. Near campus. Phone LOST: Friday, Main Street or cam- 3958 pus section, chain containing four -_ keys. Reward. Call 7753 evenings. RENT: Cool large rooms downstairs, 607 Reasonable. 2-2159. 314 E. Liberty. I - -- ft's A Long Road, Rdcisen Finds, As City Appeals Case B. Ray Riksen, local sandwich ven- dor who is a familiar figure to soror- ity and fraternity members when time for the evening lunch rolls around, faces a further fight before he can legally sell his wares without pay- ment of the $150 license fee now re- quired by city ordinance. Week before last Circuit Judge Gcorge W. sample handed down a de- cis