New-York tribune., 1910-01-06

RrTDCET MAKING AND ECONOMY.
In naxsine upon the appropriations made
at the last session I suggested tnat there
should be provided some permanent method
for comparative examination OK Depart
mental budgets and proposals Tor appropri-
aticns in advance OF the legislative session.
that the Legislature ul4Sht De aided ~
preliminary lliVCstISdliOn AHA report IN de-
termtning with Iust DroSofton tne amounts
tlat can properly be allowed ~ - sIdtl-
lying To note the progress thde mas aIeaoy
been maUe IN secut siil cOisFaf@uFS est
mates OF the ncedS To be provided Tor at
Inis ,egIsIatIye s..ssiCif Bat there should
be definite plan adopted for ths future
( recommend that IT be provided that on
shall be filed with the ContrOiler Dy eaea
state officer, head OF department or COM
association desiring appropriations Tor
particular purpose. d statement IN detall
of the amounts required ana OF the reasons
therefor. and that the Controller should os
instructed to tabuIate these requests anu
submit the tabulation IN printed IorIn Il WIN
comparative data and estimates OF incon1s
to the Legislature and to the Governor on
the first day of the session.
This will insure desirable publicity with
respect TO the demands upon the state. will
greatly facilitate fhe legislative committees
a work which constantly grows more
laborious. and VIII tend to expedlte ths
business of the session IL will also pre-
pare the way for such further methods or
examination, comparison and criuctsm as
experience may show TO be advisable
While the Legislature viii have the power
to make suitable appropTfa tiOns whenever
requested IL will not be difficult 70 estaohsh
the tradition that. except In cases OF srneT-
gency. requests for appropriations Will not
be regarded with favor unless hled at tns
The press,lre upon the state Is so great.
not only from the increasing work Of the
departments, but more particularly by rea-
son OF the extent of the demands IN con-
ings and the growing requirements OF
state charities. hospitals for the insane
must be pursued. Whatever outlays arc
needed to insure proper efficiency should
be provided. 1t Is idle to maintain costly
state departments OF supervision X ex-
aninations are a mockery and mere
cover for favoritism and Illicit opportunt-
ties II 1t is the business or a cspart.,
make them. and whatever force - neces-
sary 10 have them made thoroughly and
vided But wasteful expenditures when
ever ascertained should be stopped And
1t should be the constant desire OF every
head of department TO find out, not sim
ply how he may extend his work for the
good of the state. but how he may save
the state by abolishing unnecessary places.
concentrating effort and securing mora
faithful and expert service.
SYSTEMATIC APPROPRIATIONS
In connection with outlays for publlo
buildings, and for improvements and ex-
tensions OF institutional work, including
education and charities. II seems 70 ma
that the effort should be made to provide
tentative programme for series OF years
which. while OF course not binding upon
succeeding legislatures. would have an I'm
portant influence In shaping appropriations
in accordance with a comprehensive plan
and avoid, so far as possible, Ill timed or
indiscreet allowances, The various de-
mands could be classified SO as 10 define
% those relating to enterprises which are
IN progress or to whicn the state Is al
that may be required to bring existing IN
stttutionS as units or state WorEs 10 the
highest available degree or efficiency, and
ed in connection with the expected increase
In population; C0 such new institutions or
would approve In case there were means
sufficient for their establishment
Inc amount tb ,.sTsss y, ~ a., to
classes, and the order OF requirement. and
the surplus of expected income availabls
for the third class, should be ascertained
The necessary amounts should be so dis
tributed that no more than that reasonably
required by the proper progress or ths
Of any one year In this way conspectus
may be provided say. for period OF avs
upon POI the treasury OF the State and the out
lays deemed advisable Those urging the
state to undertake new enterprises would
thus see the relative Importance of the
various requests. and there would be less
risk OF improvident or inopportuns out
lays.
/ believe that special appropriations for
roads. river improvements and other ,pur-
poses for the benefit OF particular localities
should be avoided far possible All
improvements OF highways should be unds-
the supervision of the Higsway Commits.
to give the commission full jurisdiction
should be supplied. Similarly. the law re-
amended, IL necessary, so as to remove any
question as to the power of the Water
Supply Commission 10 provide for such i'm
proyement of waterways (outside OF the
canal system) and for such supply OF
bitches, dikes and the Ike as may be neces-
sary. after due ascertainment by the com
mission OF the extent to which the expense
should be borne by the localities benefited
and the part II any, TO be charged upon
such improvements by special acts or BY
items in appropriation bills. which place
gard TO the benefit derived BY the cities
towns and counties concerned IS unjustifia-
bic and 81 should yield to general nethod
which will permit these matters TO be dealt
with in justice TO all interests.
INSURANCE
The work OF the department. shows the
Importance OF frequent examinations. and
1 recommend that adequate provision be
made for this purpose. The statute pro-
viding for liquidation OF companies under
the supervision OF the department has
operated to great advantage and has made
1t possible to avoid the wasteful and ex-
pensive methods formerly incident 10 nqui-
supplied as may be necessary to carry it's
provisions into full effect.
j also advise that the business of Lloyds'
insurance in this state should be put upon
proper basis. and that such legislation be
adopted as will make IL impossible FOR
business to be conducted except under con-
dtttons which insure adequate protection
The supervision of cooperative fire in
surance companies should also be unads
more effective by legislation adapted to Sc
cure safe and suitable methods.
I am Informed that a proposed uniform
bill regulating the policies which may be
issued by insurance companies against aC-
cidental bodily injury or disease. drafted by
COMMITTEES of their members after In
vestigation, has been adopted by the state
insurance commissioners at their national
convention / recommend this proposal fol
lowing upon the effort which has been
made to provide either standard policies or
STANDARD provisions in policies OF insur-
ance, 10 your careful consideration.
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.
There should be constant errort 10 mini
mize the amount OF special legislation
sought for in connection with municipal
charters Where amendment is needed the
aim should be to provide a general pro-
vision, which at least will make further
application 10 the Legislature unnecessary. $
While the problems OF municipal govern
ment are being studied and various expert
nlentS are pointing the way 10 their Solu-
tion We should endeavor 10 enlarge this
freedom of local Governments and remove