The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-01-05

Net surplus in Sinking Fund s16O,62S IS
In estimating the probable revenues of the
commonwealth, the tax on anthracite coal
Imposed under the provisions of the Act of
the General Assembly of June 81, 1918, has
not been included, for the reason that prac-
ticaliy all anthracite roal mining companies
nave appealed from the settlements made
against them and have indicated their inten-
tions of carrying such appeals to the Supreme
Court OF the United States. In case of a de-
e'sion favorable TO the Commonwealth. the
v'sult VIII probably be that revenue from this
t'urce VIII not be received until after the
period for which the above estimate is made.
APPROPRIATIONS
Under the law the State Board of Public
Charities has free access to the grounds bnild-
'ngs and all books and papers relating to char
liable. reformatory, and correctional institu-
tons; and all such institutions that may de-
sire to receive State aid must give notice to
the Board, before the first day of No
vember in each year. of the amount of any
application for aid they may propose to make
to the legislature. and of the several pur-
poses to which such aid. If granted, is to be
applied; and in its report to the General AS
seinh'v the conclusions and recommendation
OF the Board thereon are given. In acting
upon approximations to these institutions /
have found these conclusions and recommends
tions to be carefully prepared and worthy of
every consideration. The Legislature there
fore, In making appropriations TO these insti-
tutons should endeavor to limit them to the
,amounts recommended by this Board
The chief problem in the lives of individuals,
families, and business enterprises is the ad-
justment of expenditures TO the receipts the
nutgo to the income. In the MANAGEMENT OF
the States fiscal affairs there should be estab-
hsned buslness-iikc principles. II is wrong for
each session OF the General Assembly to make
appropriations lar in excess of the revenue
imposing upon the Governor the responsibility
oi reducing the amounts to reasonable limits
Inere is no excuse for such a practice espe-
cialiy when one considers that the executive
and fiscal officers furnish, at the beginning of
each session OF the legislature a statement as
to what revenue will be available for appro-
priation purposes.
Il, therefore, urge the General Assembly to
discontinue this method of appropriation, and
thereby tighten in no little measure the duties
of the executive.
INVENTORY OF REAL AND PERSONAL
PROPERTY
In order that an inventory might be made
Of the tangible assets Of the Commonwealth.
| appointed an inventory commission IN nro
pare an inventory OF all the tangible assets of
& the Commonwealth. as of May 81, 1914 This
work has been performed with diligence and
ability, with the result that for the first time
the Commonwealth Is in position to deter1nine
tne value OF these asse5s; .s6 The totals in this
follows: Real Estate, S49, 1855, 1872 .S4: PersonaI
Property $685. 1855; General Fund and
Sinking Fund in the State Treasury, S7.76I.-
Hills.
This inventory has been prepared in d.ta;I
and has been deposited in the office of the
Executive Controller. and should prove of
Inuch faiue 1or comparative purposes in all
future inventories.
HEALTH
The Department of Health has rendered in
valuable services to the people of tho Con-,
monweath-in fact. it enjoys an envisbla in
ternational reputation. The work performed
at Austin. after that municipality was vaahed
away, and at Gettysburg in looking after tbe
sanitary and hospital conditions at the time
of the Reunion of the Blues and the Gravs
Is especially worthy of notice.
In Its tuberculosis work the depsrtpoent
makes its biological products after its own
formula; its sanatora buildings have been
planned so as TO furnish the greatest nossi
bic amount Of air and sunlight; and from its
1l5 dispensaries have not only come fhe ms
tients for these Sanatoria, the CAPACITY of
which has been trebled in the last four yeors
but their nurses enter the homes of our neonlo
and help them to protect themselves against
the spread Of disease. Thousands of patients
have been discharged from the Sanatoria an
parently cured. with their disease arrested
By establishing and maintaining quarantins
the suppression of epidemcs at the request
of local authorities; cleaning up the premises
and purifying the water supplies, the DANCER
70 the people from epidemics of Contagious
disease has been greatly reduced. Trained
inspectors have polieed watersheds and divert
ed many thousands of pollutions from streams
Sewage-disposal plants have been constructed
TO eare for municipal sewage. Filtration plan5s
arr how furnishing fii.ered water 10 more than