West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1915-04-01
SUGGESTS THAT STATE
DRAFTS Be DISCOUNTED
Auditor Darst Thinks Banks VIII
Advance Money on Assigning Of
Salaries-Board of Regents have
been Trying to Solve Fiscal
Problem
NUMBER a

Problem
Dlscontinuance OF the honorina M
reQuisitions on the state treaaurv bv
AUDITOR John s. Darst has started 10
p'hch every one on the state payrol,e
ana the last to feel It are the teachers
ana instructors I'm tho normal schools.
'ne University of West Virginia and
all schools other than tho public onea
of the state.
80 serious has become the situation
that meeting of the state board of
regents has been called TO try to d.
wise ways and means OF meeting tho
new conditions which face the board
IN connection with the meeting a let
tor was written to Auditor Darst. ask-
ing MS opinion as to when requisitions
would be honored. The auditor wrote
reply which holds out little encour-
agement for tho present. But the
auditor has scheme which he sup-
gests to the teachers, and that IA IN
nave the local banks discount tho
drafts on the treasury. In this con-
hectlon Mr. Darst has had prepared a
blank which can be used for this pur-
pose.
Banks In most sections will discount
drafts on the auditor, but they will
charge about per cent for II. This
means that IL will cost s1.50 to have
cashed draft for 500 and which
VIII not bo payable inside of 90 days.
which Ia the earliest date nj which
there Will be money sufficient I'm the
treasury to meet the demands. II
means that about 100000 In drafts
VIII be discounted by the banks and
which those on tho state payroll will
nave to pay about $1,000 as discount
fees This burden will fall on tho en-
ployees entirely.
The following is the letter sent out
yesterday by Auditor Darst 10 the
state board OF regents:
State Board OF Regents.
Charleston, w. Va.
Il have your communication of
March "a. In further reference to the
probability of the state being able to
pay teachers salaries during tho COM
ing year.
u am able TO approximate to some
degree OF accuracy the receipts for
any given period OF time, but / have
nothing upon which to base an appro-
priation OF disbursements with sum-
cient exactness for this purpose.
Large sums were appropriated by the
last session of the legislature for var
lous purposes. Many appropriations
made two years ago are still avail
able. For example. there was appro-
priated and remains unexpended for
public buildings, etc, an amount I'm ex-
cess OF 100000. How much OF tbis
money will be used under present con-
ditions IL is impossible for me to de-
termine. In other words, past stand
ards OF expenditures are OF no value
at this time. l cannos control the ex-
pendtures, but must give all requisi-
tions the same consideration when
funds are available.
Under these conditions I feel sure
that you will realize how impossible
1t Is to answer your question definite
ly. Nothing would give me more
pleasure IL It were possible.
II believe most of tho banks will
honor assignments OF salaries. / en-
close copy of blank which have
prepared for that purpose, in the hope
that the suggestion may be OF some as
sistance I'm the solution OF your very
important and difficult problem.
Very respectfully,
j. S. DARST,
State Auditor"
The banks of Morgantown, where
the University of West Virginia rs To-
Gated, have come to the rescue OF the
university by paying the salaries oe
the faculty with the understanding
that the payroll would be taken care
of monthly from the same source un-
I'll the state is able to discharge its OBJ
legations