Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-01-02
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BY the Ex-Committeeman

1t is not improbable that n move
will be made in the next Legislature
to establish greater state control of
throughout the siNty-seven counties
of the state. There has been ten
dency for some years to bring about
closer relationship between the state
and various county officers, notably
in the case of sealers of weights and
measures, who are now under the
chief of standards, while the Attor-
ney General has appointment OF
lawyers for various county work.
One of the plans suggested is that
the Auditor General should name
the mercantile appraisers for each
county. These men report to the
Auditor General in any event and
yet are elected by County Commits
sioners. 1t is claimed that a change
would not only mean better system
in handling business which brings
in large amounts of revenue, bur
that it would also be economical.
One man who has been studying the
subject voiced the belief that it
would save a million dollars.
Mercantile appraisers are now be-
ing named in various counties and
will take up their work at once.
Auditor General Charles A. Sny-
der will probably decide by to-mor-
row just what he will do in regard
to the audit he desires to make of
the State Insurance Fund. The
Auditor General has been told by
officers of the fund that he can not
make the audit of the fund as that
is not within his jurisdiction. This
position is taken on advice of the
Attorney General and there will
either be compromise reached
whereby the Auditor General will
get Information which he wants re-
garding expenses or else q resort to
the courts.
Mr.. Snyder said before leaving the
city Monday that he wanted to be
sure Of his position and his right to
examine the fund. There is no ques-
ton, said he. as to the powers of
the Auditor General over the appro-
priation and he intimated that there
might be some ventilation of the
payrollS of the fund. which in his
opinion, are higlNr than Hecessary
and at figure which he feels sure
Will mean a deficit
The officers of the fund will meet
the Attorney General to-day or to-
morrow in regard to the matter. The
fund board, which is composed of
sioner of Labor and Industry and
Insurance Commissioner will await
Developments as it's members feel
that 1t is up to the Auditor General
to make the next move.
Governor Brumbaugh's appoint
ment of aldermen for Coatesville
late yesterday ends an interesting
situation. When Coatesville voted to
become a city it had but one ward.
1t was then with two justices of the
peace. Last election the people
voted in favor of division into five
wards. The justices claimed that
they could not be superseded. The
Governor has decided to appoint
anyway. Four aldermen have been
named and one is to follow shortly.
-Mayor-el A. T. Connell.
Sherif-elect j. r. Schlager and
Commissioner John Won Bergen are
in nip and tuck contest to get the
appointment of a registration com
missioner to succeed Connell. Mr..
Connell has been camping on the
Governors trail and the other men
have been using the wires. The ac-
tiylty for the place, which paws s3,-
600. is interesting because there will
be no work for a commissioner to do
for months.
-Mayor-el F. V. Babcock of
Pittsburgh, has been causing some
heart burnings by his refusal TO
make some police appointments as
desired. The new Mayor will start
off his administration with many
new officials, it is intimated. Incl
dentally, the contest of his expense
account is going on.