New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-01
GLYNN ADVOCATES
BUDGET REFORMS
Moneys Used for Political
Purposes Now, He Tells
Albany Committee.
OPPOSES GIVING
EXECUTIVE POWER
Would Base Figures on Sworn
Estimates of Heads of
Departments.

Albany. June 80 Scientifically pre-
pared budgets based on sworn esti-
mates of responsible department heads
we're recommended to a Constitutional
Convention committee to-day by ex-
Governor Glynr as cure for "politi-
esl logrolinG and the present prac-
tioe of using public Moneys for politi-
cal purposes"
Mr.. Glynn also advocated the issu-
snce Of serial instead of long term
bonds for public improvements. re-
distribution Of the sinking fund sur
plus and the elimination Of emergency
messages by the Governor to facilitate
passage by the Legislature of appro-
priation measures.
The Ex-Governor is opposed to a
budget prepared by the executive as
being contrary 20 the American theory
Of government.
In this Mr.. Glynn differs from ex-
President Taft, President Goodnow Of
Johns Hopkins University and Presi-
dent Lowell Of Harvard. who advocated
executive budgets before the commit
tee.
What does the man who comes new
into the Governors Office know about
the needs of the state departments ??
asked the former Governor.
"To offset his ignorance you are
thinking Of providing for bureau OF
experts TO investigate and enlighten
him. That system would make for
what might be termed q bureaucratic
budget, which would be contrary 70
our theories Of government and would
not work out well.
In the Bureau of Experts you would
build up q little clique which IN time
would control the finances Of the state.
l am for a scientific budget but bud
get conforming with republican the
cries. The executive budget plan would
merely shift responsibility from the
legislative 10 the executive branch OF
the government. but would not cure the
evils incidental to the present method
of budget making"
The present lack Of system" IN pre-
pairing budgets and supervising expen-
diture Of state funds Mr.. Glynn sharply
criticised.
I've work now under a hodgepodge
method which is good for the poltlcl&n
and bad for everybody else he said.
CAS- State Controller and later Gov
erncr ! had occasion to learn at first
hand of the evils resulting from our
present lax methods They permit "a
department head 10 ask for money for
office expenses and use it to purchase
an automobile for JOY riding; TO use
funds appropriated for charitable in
stitutions for the restocking Of the
wine cellars Of some of the people in
charge. and to devote appropriations
for maintenance Of the canal to EN-
ploying a horde Of workmen to pay off
political debts.
Mr. Glynn suggested that budgets
could be scientifically prepared If the
department heads would be required TO
submit, under oath 10 the Governor
and the Controller. at least a month be-
fore the 1St Of January each year,
three lists Of desired appropriations.
The first would contain those neces-
sary, the second those deemed desirable
and the third those to meet contin-
gencies. lie then would have the big
appropriation bills passed early in the
legislative session before any special
or local approprtion measures received
sons Iteration. He would require THAI
All special appropriations receive a
three-ffths vote Of the Legislature, in
stead of "a majority vote, as at present.