Norwich bulletin., 1915-01-07

present law taxing railroads and the adoption of the gross earnings basis
 as recommended by the Special Tax
 Commission in 1912,' would insUre a
 much increased annual income which
 might, with economies, make a small state tax necessary only once in two
 years.
 State Board of Finance. The business affairs of the State, so far as is possible, should be conducted along lines which have stood the test of experience in successful private business corporations. The expendi- lures should be made with careful de- liberation, always keeping in mind the total annoual income.
 Careless business methods are in evitably expensive to those financially interested in the undertaking. The
 practice which has prevailed for many
 years of making appropriations for the biennial period through an appropria- tion committee of the General Assem- ply is wasteful, unscientific, and con- trary to the approved methods of pri- vate business.
 The appropriation committee is ire quently composed of men with no previous legislative experience, and
 the needs of the State, nor the sources and amount of it's income, and, how ever loyal and jealous they may be;
 the task is beyond them
 The present imperative demands on the State treasury, the necessity for strict economy. and the importance of
 a scientific study of receipts and ex- penditureS demand a, change from our present procedure. I recommend the creation of a board of finance, similar to that advocated by the Tax Commissioner in his bi- ennial reports of 1910 and 1914. such board to consist of three citizens ap- pointed for a period of years; the State Treasurer Comptroller and Tax Corn1nis isSioner, ex oficio; and two Sen ators and three Representatives to be appointed by each General Assembly to serve during the session. All leg islative kills authorizing hppropria- l tions should be. referred to this board for approval.
 The experience in relation to and the cumulative knowledge of the nec- eSSary expenditures and probable re- ceipts of the State which this board would soon acquire, would surely re- suit i'll more wise and economical ap- propriations, more efficient expendi- lures. and a proportfonaTe decrease in the taxation burden.
 Our present Constitutional provision requires that this legislative session shall terminate not later than the 9th of next June. It will of course ad- journ as much earlier as the business which shall be submitted to you shall be disposed of, and this will be deter InlflSu Dy lHe ulttS StfC0SOL SOul COH1- n1ittees and the length and frequency of your daily sessions.
 The 1918 General Assembly adjourn ed on June 4ths and the 1911 General Assembly adjourned on September 18th of that year. That the citizens of the State have not suffered by the shortening of the session and the de-
 creased volume of legislation win be
 conceded.
 If it was required that all proposed 1fe- T Secretary of State one week before the General Assembly convened, and that the Attorney General or Clerk of Bills.
 refer them to the appropriate commit
 tees to be anpointed, it would result in
 a very material saving of time as
 compared with the present procedure. as the committees when appointed could at once commence their duties A further material saving of time
 and of expense could be effected if proposed legislation adversely acted upon by the committee to which it
 was referred, was not reported ex-