New-York tribune., 1907-01-17
Nj Il. MAYER INDICATED.
OLIVER ELL REPORTED.
Ways and Means Committee Salts
fed scith Expenditures.
TBy T-I.graph 70 The T.Ibune. l

Albany. Jan. 16--The Assembly Committee
on Ways and Means voted tonight to report
the Oliver bill appropriating $4,000 for the At
torney Generals Office for the current year.
Because Of the misleading differences circulated
in some of the statements about the Offices
Frances ex-Attorney General Mayer appeared
voluntarily before the committee TO urge the
appropriation for his successor and explain the
expenditures of his administration. When he
had finished even the Democratic members Of
the committee said that they were satisfied he
had accomplished with less money more than
any previous Attorney General
The figures that Mr.. Mayer cited showed that
during his administration the office practically
paid its expenses out of its receipts. Much
saved for the state in counsel fees in special
cases, while vast income values. Mr. Mayer said.
We're preserved for the state through his Offices
successful conduct of important cases. Instead
Of hiring expert counsel to fight the franchise
tax for the state. Mr.. Mayer said he under
took the entire work alone and won the case.
II cost the state just S110 the expense of a ste
nographer.
Mr. Mayer explained that hts administration
had been conducted economically and that in
two cases. that of the expense accounts of
clerks and Deputies and the costs of suits, he
had failed to ask for appropriation in 1906
making one years appropriation last for two
for the first time in the history Of the depart
ment, he said.
Before Mr. Mayer addressed the committee
Attorney General Jackson explained. the need OF
the appropriation that he asked for. He pref
aced his remarks by saying: Il intend no re-
fection upon my predecessor. 1 do believe that
the system on which this office has been run is
wrong. There should be an ample appropriation
made. 1t should be kept out OF debt.
In the estimate that was made ctr. Jackson
said that there was mistake-S1o000 should
have been asked for the New York office in
stead of $1,000
Assembiy,nan Rogers asked if. in case the
Legislature passed the recount bill, the S15ooJ
for special counsel would be needed. Mr.. jack
rather evaded the question. saying that he
had not had time to investigate that phase OF
the matter
1T may be that the Legislature can obtain
recount before can by the means that have
undertaken" he said. But l of the opinion
that the recount bill should be taken up and
settled, and it will certainly cost 10 do this he
said emphatically.
Mr.. Mayer said he had grown sick and tired
Of the unfair and unjust criticism that had
been made of his administration.
Il desire TO correct an erroneous impression
he continued, that the Attorney General has
received, but which 1 assume does not refer TO
my Office. He has said hat it has been the
custom in the office of the Attorney General to
borrow through the Controller funds necessary
70 carry them through the year, repaying this
with the appropriation. This certainly
was never done while I was in office. In no
spirit of criticism I wish point that the
Attorney General asks for appropriation for
nine months of nearly 50, 600 above what l re-
ceived for the whole year. But l agree with
MIN There should be more money approprt-
ated- II has been said in insinuating way
that spent most of my appropriation after
October J. II is true that a great number Of
bills were paid after that date. But these were
for services performed some time before then.
/ paid them that the new Attorney General
should enter upon his duties embarrassed as
little as possible by outstanding work of my ad-
ministration."