The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1912-12-07
SENATE WANTS TO
KNOW WHERE ALL
THE MONEY GOES
Resolutions Call on the State Depart.
ments For ltemized Expense
Economy is Desired.

Oklahoma City, Dec. 6.-Four reso-
lutions introduced by Senator Thomas
and passed by the senate Friday, in
the open session, indicate that the
upper house intends to begin its ere
trenchmeEt" work with the state gov
ernment itself. Each of the resolu.
tions called for information from va
rious sources on which the senate can
base economical" legislation, which
is to be ready when the regular ses-
sion meets.
The first resolution calls upon the
various departments of state to file
itemized statements of the contingent
fund expenditures for the last two
fiscal years. The second resolution
calls upon the board of affairs to make
and file with the senate list or in
ventory of all state property. The
third calls for a schedule of employees
of the state departments, together
with their salaries and other informa-
tion. The fourth resolution called
upon the clerk of the supreme court
to make a statement of his receipts
since statehood, and a list of his en-
ployes necessary to run the office.
This last resolution was amended as
to date on which this information must
be received by the senate, not later
than the fifth legislative day of the
regular session.
Senator Thomas explained that
these resolutions were intended to
draw out information by which the
senate could act intelligently when the
work of retrenchment is taken up at
! the regular session. There was some
debate on minor points in the reso-
lutions, but no opposition to any Of
them in full.
Senator Russell, in supporting the
resolution calling for a statement of
contingent fund expenditures, said
that right now men are travelling
around the state organizing lobby
to attend the legislature, and paying
their expenses out of contingent funds
of one department.
Salaries Paid Clerical Help.
Senator Thomas also passed a reso-
luton instructing the secretary of the
senate to gather data from business
concerns as to salaries paid clerical
help and other subordinate work in
private business, so that compari-
son coull be made with the salaries
paid state employees Some Of the
senators, especially Senator Thomp-
son, believe there are too many clerks
in the state departments, and that
they are paid higher wages than in
private.
The fore part of the open session
was taken up in long argument over
the report of a committee appointed
some days ago to advise with the state
board of affairs as to home for the
regular session of the legislature.
Though such discussion repeatedly
was checked by President Pro Tenn
pore Hendricks as being out of order,
the Oklahoma City-Guthrie contro-
yersy over the state capital was at
.athe bottom of the entire debate.
Senator Burford of Guthrie former
chief justice Of the Oklahoma supreme
court, whom that city selected to send
to the legislature to balk an appropria-
ton to build a state capitol and other
wise keep the capital matters unset
tied so that Guthrie might keep up the
fight to regain it, started the Guthrie
ball rolling as soon as the committee
reported Friday afternoon.