The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1909-03-02

E- ~-~=A
and for a series of years has been
obliged to borrow from the State, re-
paying in part as able. thus creating
a loan account between the State and
the school fund.
ION this account the school fund now
owes the State the sum Of SIZE, 900. 1t
will require, as we are advised by the
comptroller, q further loan OF about
$3.50, 900 before 1t becomes self-support-
ing.
To Collect from schools.
I'VE recommend, accordingly. that
the $780,, 900 collected as above be used
to reimburse the State treasury the
amount loaned to the school fund. From
this source the State will thus realize
the sum of $175, 900 toward the deficit,
and, in addition thereto, will have the
sum of $4,000 interest which rightfully
belongs to the State, and costs col
lected with the $685., 900, making a total
Of 1921, 900.
I'VE recommend that the annual en-
campment at Sea Girt of four weeks'
tour Of duty be changed to the plan Of
brigade encampment and tour duty Of
two weeks for one-half the Guard each
year. 1t is estimated by the quarter
master-generafs department that this
would save $27, 200. n a saving will be
effected this year from the annual ap-
preparation bill, as itemized above.
ain view Of the expense Of maintain-
ing the National Guard, and In view Of
the sfze an compared with other states,
we sugges n reduction OF 70 per rent.
Of its total strength, which reduction
we believe would result In = saving Of
shout IS per cent. Of the cost Of ad-
m~inistratjOn of military department..
Road Appropriation.
1.-THE present appropriation for roads
should be reduced from $a00, 900 to. $780,
900. If such reduction be made all Of
the money obtained from automobiles
should be placed at the disposal OF the
road commissioner for the building as
we'll as for the repair and maintenance
of the roads, but the sum Of $4,000, the
annual expenses for the department Of
motor vehicles, should be paid from
automobile revenue, and not by the
State.
1--WE recommend thai the salary OF
the water supply commissioners be re-
duced so that each member shall not
receive more than $1,000 per annum.
"Such a reduction will effect an i'm
mediate saving Of 1880 and $500 an
nually. .
I'VE believe that the other items OF
saving in appropriations for this year
are self explanatory. =.
I'm view of the claim that railroad
property has been un~dervalued. we
recommend that there be a r~evaluation
of railroad property by competent, ex-
|perienced and efficient appraisers to be
appointed by the Governor, with the
advice and consent Of the Senate, SAID
appraisers to receive such assistance
as they may request from the depart
ment of the State Board Of Assessors.
'If such contention be established the
increased value of railroad property
would increase the revenue to the State
by reason of taxation. Such apprais-
ers shall consult with the attorney gen
eral, reporting to him what rolling
kstock or n other property they md
temporary in the State on which nc
tax is collected, inc ascertain his ,opin-
lon whether or not any tax car lawfully
be imposed thereon.
Franchise Tax Revision.
1.-THE annual franchise tag in force
in this State is YER moderate. The
present rate Is one-tenth Of / per cent.
on capital up to three million, ne
twentieth of / per cent. on the next
two million, and $50 on each million
in excess Of five million. When this
rate was adopted it was not anticipated
that there would be very many corpo-
rations with a capital stock exceeding
| Eve million