XII Special Article by the Governor for the Princetonian, Official Daily Paper of Princeton University On January 7, 1923 The Princetonian, an official daily newspaper of Princeton University, requested Governor Smith to write a special article for their publication. The article follows: Marked by an increasing number of college-trained men, the next generation of Americans should produce a quality in American political life that will immeasurably raise its standards toward a liberal ideal. In my message to the Legislature this year I said: "Education is the one thing in government that must always be 100%. We may fall down in our programs for public betterment or public improvements, but time lost in the development of education can never be made up. Every father and mother should instinctively do their best to give their children all that the State affords in education. It is the safeguard of the State and of the nation. Anybody desiring to have a proper understanding of the necessity for an education need only talk to the man who was denied it." Politics, after all, in its broadest sense, is applied political science. The science of government is gradually coming to be understood both by the legislator and the executive. We have been going through a steady process of education in the last few years in the State of New York looking to a reorganization of our complicated system of administering the State government. The study of that program and its exccution could not have been undertaken had we not had the aid of students of political science and men of public affairs both in the Legislature and out, who appreciated its importance. There is apparently a tendency in some colleges to promote a discussion of the issues of the day and to consider them from a liberal standpoint. Such discussions promote interest in the political problems and only by such a stimulation of thought can we hope to attain progress. College education, practically directed, with an emphasis placed on the realities of life, will undoubtedly enable a man to fill an important place in politics as it will in any other field of activity. Education, rightly utilized, never goes amiss, and it is a fine thing to look forward to having a larger number of college men enter the political field. I cannot too strongly urge upon college men of today an active interest in the grave public questions that beset us. Politics is but the translation of policies sometimes discussed academically for many years into active expression, but which cannot become realities until in some form they are realized in governmental activity. January 21, 1923. ALFRED E. SMITH. Reestablishment of the Bureau of Women in Industry in the Department of Labor February 13, 1923. Hon. Alfred E. Smith, Governor of the State of New York, Executive Chamber, Albany, N. Y.: MY DEAR GOVERNOR.— Pursuant to your recommendation, I have this day reestablished the Bureau of Women in Industry in the Labor Department. As you know, this Bureau was abolished by the so-called reorganization of two years ago and its staff was materially reduced. It was left with three employees a chief of division, an investigator and a stenographer. My restoration of the Bureau of Women in Industry will mean very little unless it is given adequate facilities to deal with the problems especially affecting the health, welfare and safety of working women and children. This bureau should be equipped to obtain all of the facts relating to the conditions under which women and children are employed; to study industrial processes with a view to reducing the strain and fatigue to which women workers are subjected and to be in a position to recommend improved standards of employment for women and children, either by voluntary cooperation of employers or by remedial legislation where necessary. For this important work I shall ask for an increased appropriation for the Bureau for the year beginning July 1, 1923 and for a pro rata deficiency appropriation for the next four months. The Bureau will then have the necessary trained investigators and facilities to carry on its work and will produce results that I am sure will be worth while not alone to the working women directly affected but to the entire community. I trust that this meets your views with regard to the development of the Bureau. Very sincerely, (Signed) BERNARD L. SHIENTAG, Message to Newsboys of Worcester, Massachusetts February 16, 1923. Mr. E. D. Dolhenty, Telegram Publishing Co., Worcester, Mass.: MY DEAR MR. DOLHENTY.-I am glad to comply with your request for a message to the newsboys of Worcester, Massachusetts. Boys are the same the world over, but these youthful merchants indicate their purpose in life by grasping every opportunity and today we find in positions of trust in some of our largest industries those who in early life were learning while selling papers. There is pride in success but we must ever remember that only a strict application to the principles of rightful living and careful study can help us to attain it. We all have an equal opportunity in striving to determine our future but we must be guarded by our conscience in doing those things which go with good citizenship. Work for your ideals and many obstacles will be overcome and you will be rewarded as success is ready to knock at your door. I cannot but help at this time to call to mind the heroism of Scotty, a Brooklyn newsboy, who fought in the Yankee Division and who was recognized for his heroic conduct. But sixteen years of age, he left his paper route to join the 101st Regiment on its way to France. He gave the best that was in him, his life, in service of his country. Sincerely yours, The Governor Approves and Transmits to Congress Memorial Requesting Modification of Volstead Act Albany, February 20, 1923. By Mr. Donohue : WHEREAS, The Governor in his annual message has correctly set forth that "the history in our own State does not indicate that a majority of the people are in sympathy with the existing Volstead act," and that Congress alone can amend that legislation; Therefore be it Resolved (if the Senate concur and the Governor approve), That the legislature and the Governor of the State of New York do hereby memorialize the Congress of the United States to enact such modifications of the Volstead act as shall legalize subject to the approval by the people of the State, the use of beer and light wines under such careful restrictions as were imposed by the law passed in New York in 1920; Be it further Resolved (if the Senate concur and the Governor approve), That a copy of this resolution may be transmitted by the Governor to the clerk of the United States Senate and to the clerk of the House of Representatives and to each Senator and Representative in Congress. By order of the Assembly, Conference on Public Health and Medical Practice On February 26, 1923, Governor Smith summoned to the Executive Chamber the heads of the State and county medical associations, the State Commissioner of Health, the members of his staff, all of the public health councils and the deans of the medical colleges of the various universities of the State. The purpose of the conference was to have the representatives of the medical schools of the State, themselves discuss questions affecting public health and thus assist in formulating the health program of the State. The topics for discussion were, rural health, narcotic drugs, the standards of medical education and medical research, and the enforcement of the Medical Practice Act. Governor Smith made a few brief introductory remarks and presented Dr. Biggs, who discussed health conditions in the rural sections of the State. His paper was then discussed by Dr. Booth, President of the State Medical Association and others. A thorough discussion of State subsidies for rural health work took place and in the course of the discussion, Governor Smith said: "We would like to have established some definite policy to look to in the future, in the years to come when our experience may be worse than to-day. If we once get it established as a matter of State policy, that we propose to subsidize a township or a county for proper hospital facilities, and that the State proposes to see the doctors are there if they cannot bring them in any other way, we have established the whole principle. A discussion of the narcotic drug problem by Dr. Carleton Simon of the New York City Police, Dr. Haven Emerson, Dr. Harlow Brooks and Dr. Walter Timme followed. Dr. William Darrach, Dean of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, spoke on standards of medical education and Dr. Simon Flexner of the Rockefeller Institute spoke on the legislative problems of medical research. There was a brief discussion of the enforcement of the medical practice act. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Governor asked for the appointment of a committee representing the conference. Such a committee was appointed and reported to the Governor in March 1923. The report was signed by Doctors Arthur W. Booth, Edward Livingston Hunt, Orrin S. Wightman, Daniel S. Dougherty, Wendell C. Phillips, Jacob Diner, Grover W. Wende, J. Richard Kevin, Walter L. Niles, Joseph S. Thomas, Frederic E. Sondern, Samuel J. Kopetzky, Carleton Simon. The report stated in part: "It is undoubtedly true that, in a certain small number of outlying rural communities in this state, there is a lack of physicians, particularly in the winter time; but it is doubtful in the extreme if state subsidies would correct the situation in those communities. The number of physicians in a given county is governed by the laws of economics; and any decrease in this number is generally explained by lessened population, lessened morbidity and mortality and the individual physician's ability to care for a greater number of patients than formerly, due to the automobile, the telephone and the increased number of good roads,- which latter, moreover, are kept open to a greater extent during the winter months now than in the past. It must not be forgotten, too, that it requires more patients to support a doctor to-day than it did formerly. 'From these facts, it is evident that the disproportion between the number of physicians in rural centers now and in the past is not as great as a superficial survey of the statistics would seem to indicate. Certainly there is no indication for the adoption of a state subsidy program. In Pennsylvania, where the subsidy plan has been in operation, it has failed completely and the monetary aid granted to the various counties has degenerated into a veritable political "pork barrel." "There is another aspect to the rural health problem in the question of hospital, nursing and laboratory facilities in country communities. There is no question that for the benefit of public health it is absolutely essential that these facilities exist in number and position to be promptly available in every instance when needed. The list of new hospitals and the contemplated ones mentioned at the conference on February 26th is an indication not only of this need, but also of the fact that it is being met locally, to some extent at least. In the interest of public health, therefore, the State Department of Health should inaugurate an extensive educational campaign to urge the local county authorities to meet their own needs. Experience teaches that local control and local support produce the best results in this field; and should isolated instances be found where, for one reason or another, this is not possible, then and only then should subsidy and central control be provided. There is no question in the minds of this Committee but that certain communities and districts up-state are now lacking in adequate medical care; and the physicians of the State are as anxious as the State Board of Health to remedy conditions." As a result of the Conference and the report of the Commission the Governor transmitted a special message to the Legislature, recommending the enactment of laws to permit the State to aid public health works in rural communities and other public health measures. This Legislation was enacted into law. (Note) See Message, page 176. With great difficulty am I able to explain the great shock I felt upon receiving the news of the sudden death of W. Bourke Cockran. His passing from this life removes one of America's great men. The history of his life reads like a romance built upon early struggle and latter day success. He was a forceful and vigorous character and by sheer ability he fought his way from the humble school room in which he taught on the lower East side of Manhattan to a position of prominence in the greatest Nation in the world. His death is a distinct loss to the country, and one beyond measure to his personal friends, a distinction I enjoyed during his life time, because those fortunate enough to count him as such, knew the warmth of his friendship and the strength of his loyalty and devotion. March 1, 1923. The Governor Initiates the Transfer of the Vehicular Tunnel Project to the Port Authority of the Port of New York STATE OF NEW YORK EXECUTIVE CHAMBER Albany, March 5, 1923. Hon. George S. Silzer, Executive Chamber, Trenton, N. J.: MY DEAR GOVERNOR.- I desire to ask you to consider with me bringing about a closer union between two great public work projects the Port of New York Authority and the Vehicular Tunnel Commission-jointly undertaken by compact between the states of New York and New Jersey. The purpose of establishing the Port Authority was to bring about a joint development of the great port facilities possessed by both states and by adopting a comprehensive plan for port development to fix a policy for both states that would preclude ill-considered or sporadic development and encourage the port in making the most of its wonderful natural endowments. The Vehicular Tunnel, on the other hand, is one of those individual projects of great value to the completed plan for improved transportation and distribution within the port district but it was initiated in both states at a time when the port treaty had not been signed or the Port Authority created or the Comprehensive Plan adopted under our present compact. In New York State it is constructed and to be operated under an agency known as the New York and New Jersey Bridge and Tunnel Commission, composed in New York of three members appointed by the Governor, one by the Mayor of New York City, and two ex-officio members. In New York State it is financed out of current revenues. When the project is completed, it logically is a part of the port plan. Since we have jointly created the Port Authority as the great agency of both states and given it corporate as well as political power, I would suggest that the Vehicular Tunnel project be transferred to it. This would have many advantages. The Port Authority could issue its own bonds to finance the project from now on and thus relieve the taxpayers in both States from further burdens. The revenues from the tunnel would amortize these bonds and eventually the tunnel would become the property of the states just as now contemplated. Although the staff of the Bridge and Tunnel Commission might be taken over advantageously by the Port Authority, overhead costs would be materially reduced. We would set an example by fostering consolidation of public works projects and financing such a one as this which will readily carry its own cost of construction, maintenance and operation without recourse to the public purse. It will be necessary in order to do this to amend the compact between the two states under which the Vehicular Tunnel is now being built and to make some modification of other statutes. These are details which can be discussed and adjusted. The important factor is the adoption of the policy of having engineering work involving improvement of the port development part of the Comprehensive Plan and under one agency thoroughly equipped to construct and operate the facility without private profit and without public cost. If you will join me in considering this plan, I will be glad to arrange conferences that may be necessary to bring about the adjustment of details and the formal initiation of the necessary changes in the law. Governor Pinchot of Pennsylvania Urges That State of New York Abandon Suit to Test Constitutionality of Federal Water Power Act COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA GOVERNOR'S OFFICE Harrisburg, March 9, 1923. Hon. Alfred E. Smith, Governor of New York, Albany, N. Y.: MY DEAR GOVERNOR.-I have read with great interest your water power message of March 5th, and I wish you every success in your effort to furnish |