New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-03-25

convinced that there is no room for doubt
course"
Fails to Speak Of Clark
In the report of the committee OF in
oury no mention is made concerning
William 7. Clark of New York. cx-sec-
re,ary OF the committee. IT was during
an Investigation of reports that Clark
had used the name Of Governor Sulzer
Without authority in an effort tc bring
about the release of Harry Is. Thaw from
the Matteawan State Hospital that tho
Thaw bribery charges developed
Clark. testifying before the committee.
made serious allegations against the man
agement Of the state Prison Department.
and suggested that Thaw he called as a
witness 10 substantiate his statements.
When the comni-tc went 10 Matteavan
Thsw refused to testify.
Clark was temporarily relieved" az
secretarv by the committee. but no fur
ther action was taken 50 FAR a. the re-
port indicates.
The report of tho committee says the
present system under which appropria-
ions Of funds are made by the I.egislat-
IRE should be changed. The law now
compes departments and bureaus" adds
me report. TO submit before November
IS an estimate Of the amount of money
required for their support during the en-
sung fiscal year. lnasmucn rs the pres
snt fiscal year begins on October !. this
means that these estimates are prepared
more than ten months in advance. Every
year conditions arose which could not he
ioreseen by even the most careful eXecu-
tive. and the system las resulted some
tines in such excessive amounts being
Appropriated that extravaganza Is IN
lted. and sometimes in such deficiency
in Appropriation that departments were
compelled. i'm violation OF law, I" exceed
The expenditure allowed and the cOnse-
ouence has been annual supply bills and
special bills filed with emergency appro-
priations. To correct this condition We
recommend
That the fiscal wear Of the state begin
on July ] instead Of October !. thus
bringing the date near the end OF the
legislative session.
That general appropriations should he
available only for the year for which
'n.y are specifically appropriated.
That all unexpended balances lapse at
NE end Of each year. The conditions un-
Ger which the funds have been handled in
u past are such as 10 prevent this plan
Mooming effective until September 30, 1914
Should Not Exceed Appropriations
That Il should be unlawful. and under
10 circumstances should a department be
empowered or permitted, To incur liabili-
YES In excess Of an appropriation, and
me Controller should not be permitted 10
make deviation from this rule nor sane
non directly or indirectly any viola ton
thereof.
That the appropriation bill should not
permit the word maintenance 10 be used
Is now applied. At present, IN con-
nsc'ion with prisons. hospitals and char
"es' this term covers wages, salaries
supplies, expenses repairs and. IN some
'sses betterments. and the institutions
snould be required to separate into detail
al OF these items. otherwise the LcGls-
azure has no control whatever over the
'Apenditures for these purposes.
mat supply bills be discontinued. EXl-
sehcies and contingencies should be taken
are OF IN either a deficiency or spe-
eial bill.
mat the form Of the appropriation act
should be changed so as 10 show specif-
ny The titles Of positions for which sal
a'es arc provided. instead OF conccalins
"'h IN so-callel grades. as at present.
New Prison Commission Asked.
ne committee further recommends:
Oohsohdatlon Of the State Commission
'riSons. now composed Of seven mem
's' the State Board of Classification
State Parole Board and the state
'0oation Commission into "A now State
.O'.hssion Of Prisons Of three members
De appointed by the Governor, with
approval Of the Senate. at an annual
'''ary of 5000 each.
reorganization OF the State Conscrva-
~ ~" commission, including the substitu-
oi Single-hesdcd commission FOR
~ present commission OF three mem
80 and the creation Of separate de-
S'iunent Of marine fisheries under the
'"isoin OF commissioner.
h.. "''ht 10 the cOdc OF GRIMM
h.''Vo, with a view to restricting
tdS corpus proceedings in behalf OF
'"e persons. such as Harry *. Thaw.
appropriations OF $4,000 for the elm
u"h Of grade crossings
aloh Of q commission 10 revise the
banking law and the enactment OF
OF bills 10 strengthen the present
:" WITH a view ia giving additional pro-
",''on 10 depodtors
s"oment to the state printing law.