The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-07-01
EXECUTIVE BUDGET
ABSURD, SAYS GLYNN
Even IL President Wilson First
Suggested 1t, Plan Has
Proved Failure.
GOOD FOR POLITICIANS

aIHANN. June fN'tNN. wynn
told the Constitutional Convention com
mittee on finance to-day that he was
opposed to the preparation by the Gov
ernor OF an executive budget for State
expenditures. u rather favored a
budget prepared by the Governor, or
the Governor. the Comptroller and the
Attorney-General, as in Alabama, based
upon sworn statements from heads OF
State departments and institutions item
izing appropriations as necessities, de-
sirabilities and contingencies.
Regarding the State sinking funds, he
thought serial bonds should be issued
hereafter and that the present $4,000
600 excess in the sinking funds should
be utilized to lessen contributions to
these funds by the present generation of
taxpayers.
At the outset Chairman Henry L.
Stimson OF the committee told Mr.. Glynn
that the committee was not interested in
the question OF direct state taxes. which
agitated the newspapers a few months
ago. but rather was concerned with the
constitutions phase of state finances.
81 have no desire TO introduce politics
here or to discuss this question in any
partisan spirit said Mr.. Glynn.
Opposes Executive budget.
II am opposed to an executive budget.
Il would not be an Improvement and
never would be an executive budget be-
cause the Governor is elected In Novem-
Der and the Legislature begins work in
l -Ia. .-,.11 ..NAA -
really a bureaucracy appropriation bill
and a budget bureau six times bigger
than any State department that exists
now, because II would mean the employ
mcnt of an expert along every line OF
expenditure by the State.
THE Governor would have to 10 n
walking encyclopedia on the finances Of
the State " an executive budget was
planned. which is absurd and "A negation
of a republican form of government. as
II would result in a perpetual. ire
sponsible and appointive budget bureau
to have charge OF taxation, which is the
biggest function of government.
1T would result In building up a
clique In control Of the finances of the
State. and | don't believe the people
would support such an assumption o {
Legislative power by any Governor. II
Is true that President Wilson first sug-
k'sNti NAN puik'Ns bit ia Aiic
States where 1t has been tried IL has
proved "a rank failure. The exercise OF
most every function of government is
based upon science and fact except the
expenditure OF public money. which rests
on estimates and guess work.
Good for Politicians.
This executive budget would be a
good thing for the politicians and
would merely result in shifting respon-
sibility. You would get a change. but
not a cure. You can only get "A scien-
tiic budget by compelling every depart
ment and institution head to state under
oath what money is required each year.
designating appropriations needed as
necessities, desirabilities and contingent
cies.
political expediency or personal
honor would secure honest statements
from public officials under oath. as |
would give the Governor power to send
for them and question them as to their
financial necessities.
Il would give each Go~vernor-elec
this power thirty days before he as
sumes office. 40 that hc can report on
the regular appropriations by the first
week in January and on special appli-
cations and claim bills by the middle OF
January. What is needed is complete
publicity and absolute responsibility re-
gardtng state expenditures, and my
plan would accomplish this and keep in
the public pocket money now spent for
political purposes.
"You can get an executive budget
:. now by compelling all appropriation
bills 10 be .temized in detail.
The Legislature needs to be hob
bled by the Constitution.
"Only in this way can you stop politi-
cal log rolling in the Legislature by
having filed with the Governor and the
Comptroller and every member of the
Legislature IA mont in advance OF the
meeting OF the Legislature AN itomizcd
statement of appropriations needed 10y
heads Of departments and institutions,
indicating what are necessary and what
can wait and compelling the Governor
in advance 10 state what items or how
much in each item he VIII approve If Il
passes the Legislature.
There shouid be a time limit set on
the Introduction Of appropriation bills.
AS the passage of bills now during tho
last days Of the Legislature at times has
resulted in political log rolling.
The Governor should not have
power to cut appropriation items after
the Legislature has adjourned. az II
would put him in a position TO punish
his enemies.
Il do not think that the power of the
Governor TO send emergency MESA ges
to the Legislature should be discon-
tinued."