The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1915-09-25
WHOLE NO. 3,77O
GREAT WASTE SHOWN
IN STATE PRINTING

state are so WaSte1ul as to be scar
ing disgrace. Political favoritism and
antiquated customs pile up cost that
is thousands upon thousands in excess
of the necessary and proper. Because
of the States slip-shod business meth
ods it is not possible to give the total
printing cost or the percentage of
waste, but figures to be used in this
article indicate that the cost is con-
siderably more than 100000 annually
nd it will be shown that thousands
are so much money thrown in the
sewer.
There are several phases of State
printing-the advertisement of public
general laws at the end of the legisla-
tive session; the advertisement of pro-
posed amendments to the State Consti-
tuition; the contract and work of the
State printer; the issuance of reports
by the several departments and agen-
cies of the State. and the Office print
ing necessary in the routine work of
the departments These phases will
be considered in their order.
Advertising Cost S19 ,2S2.80.
The advertisement of the Public
General Laws following the legislative
session of 1914 cost the State S19, ,282.-
So In the judgment of the writer,
every dollar of thot was wasted. And
not only was it wasted, but it was ap-
piled, in some measure at least, as
gratuities to various newspapers
which had political connections.
Before going further the details of
the expenditure will be given. In ex-
planation of the details it should be
stated that the law forbids an outlay
of more than 5000 in a county, and
that every county receives the exact
maximum, regardless of whether one
or two or three papers print the ad-
in Baltimore city print the advertise
ment under provision of the law that
each shall be limited to $1,000 and
each shall be required to furnish an
affidavit that not more than the regu-
lar advertising rates were charged.
What Counties Received.
The expenditures by counties are as
follows:
MISUNDERSTANDING EveningTimes
5000.
Anne Arundel-Advertise Republi-
can, $500; and Evening Capital,
$500. Total, 5000.
Baltimore county-Jefferson $500;
Democrat and Journal, 5000, and
Sentinel, $100. Total, $500.
Calvert-Calvert Journal, 5000.
Caroline-Denton Journal, 5000; Caro-
line Sun, 5000, and Greensborough
Free Press, 5000. Total, 5000.
Carroll-Democrati Advocate. 5000.
Cecil-Democrat, $500. News, $500.
Total, 5000.
Charles-Times-Cr Crescent. 5000.
chester-Democrat and News $500
and Combridge Record, $780, Total,
5000.
rederick-Citizen, 5000.
Garrett-Mountain Democrat, 5000.
Harford-Belair Aegis, $500, and Har-
ford Democrat, $500. Total, $500.
Howard-Ellicott City Times, 5000.
hent-Chestertown Transcript, $500,
and Kent News. $500. Total, 5000.
tgomery-Rockville Sentinel $500,
Rockville Advocate $500. Total 5000.
Prince George's-Laulel Democrat,
5000; Prince Georges Inquirer, 5000
and Marlboro Gazette, 5000. Total,
5000.
Queen Anne's-Centreville Observer,
$3.50: Centreville Record, $3.50, and
Queenstown News, S1OO. Total 5000.
st. Mary's-The Beacon, 5000.
Crisfield Times. $500 and
Maryland and Herald, $500. Total,
5000.
Talbot-Easton Star-D Democrat. S4OO;
st. Michael's Comet and Advertiser,
S100. and Eoston Ledger, 500. Total,
5000.
Observation-Disclosures Mail, 5000.
Wicomico News. $500, and
Salisbury Advertiser, $500. Total,
5000.
Worcester-S Snow Hill Messenger,
$500. and Worcester Democrat $500.
Total. $500
At 5000 per county, the total for the
% counties in the State is S13.S00. The
balance of the total expenditure of
19,282.S0 is S5,482.S0, which is the
cost of the advertisements placed in
the Baltimore city newspapers, name
ly, The Sun, the American, the Ger
man Correspondent, the News and the
Daily Record. AS stated. these city
papers are limited to $1,000 each and
are required to give affidavit that they
charge no more than their regular ad-
vertising rates.
The writer has stated his Judgment
that every dollar spent in this wau is
wasted bv the State; he believes it to
be wasted whether the advertisements
be placed in the city or the county
newspapers. There is no necessity
whatever. under existing conditions,
so far as he can see, for the advertise
ment of any of the public general
laws.
Custom OF Many Decades.
The business had its origin far back
in the last century, when the means of
communication were primitive, as COM
pared with those of today. In that day
the newspaper service was relatively
meagre. the telegraph touched few
points, the telephone was unknown
and transportation was slow and diff
cult. 1t may have been wise in those
times to acquaint the people by ad-
vertisement with measures of especial
Importance.
No such need appears in our day.
During the session of the Legislature
tho dai1v and woaklx, paucropars laap