Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-01-03

rista econcmy IN appropriation The
people have been heavily b3RdaAsa Nv
the financial demands tor Wee and ~
necessary expenditures.
The budget method Of making ap-
Preparations should be continued.
Only the adoption OF the budget plan
by the last Legislature combined with
the loyal CO. operation Of hsadD ok d.
and Institutions Ia roduc-
Ing expenditures wherever possible
even below the amount appropriated
gave u margin on the right side Of
the ledger for each Of the years 1917
and 1918 in spite of the startling in
crease in cost Of material and labor.
In pursuance Of the budget plan. I
hope that you will join with the Gov
ernor and Council in the immediate
consideration Of all requests for ap-
which have been filed
with the State auditor. 1t is suggest
Ell that these informal joint hearing,
begin at once with the state depart
mentS and that. in the meantime.
those committees Of the Legislature
which need to inspect State institu-
tions shall complete their program OF
visits. The Institutions can then be
heard and the budget presented to the
Legislature as the joint result Of the
judgment OF the Executive Depart
ment and the appropriate legislative
committees. Until this budget is be-
fore you, hope that no resolves car
rying appropriations of money will
be considered.
The necessity for economy in ap-
preparations will suggest a careful
study on your part of possible re-
ductions in the cost and in the ma
chinery of legislation itself. I renew
the suggestion made two years ago
that no private or special legisla ton
be considered in cases where the pur-
pose can be accomplished under the
genera! law.
By arrangement with the depart
ments in the State House. each com
mittcc. except those requiring full
time clerk, may have the services OF
Z competent young woman usually
having special knowledge OF the sub
jects with which the committees will
deal. This plan will not only effect n
considerable financial saving. but will
cbviate the necessity of providing
desk room for numerous tempora ry
clerks il a building already over
crowded.
I suggest the employment Of COM
petent lawyer TO aid members in
drafting public laws. He could prob
ably be located in tho legislative ref
erence library and perhaps could also
supervise the final CORE 4. ions Of bills
before they are passed to b en-
crossed.
A considerable saving can be effect
ed by placing all orders for advertis-
ing committee hearings through the
State superintendent Of Public Print :
ing.
You can save much time for the
consideration Of important public
questions by further application of
the equalization fund plan which has
worked so successfully with the
common school fund and was estab-
lished by the last Legislature for the
distribution Of special aid to road
building projects beyond the amounts
provided by the general law. This
plan has been worked out on the the
DRY that instead of making a large
number OF appropriations to different
towns. individuals or institutions for
purposes or projects that are under
the supervision Of any one depart
49, 80, t4A$ tn In hn ~
priation in a lump sum and allow the
departments some discretion in pro-
portioning the individual appropria =
tions TO the specific needs in each
case, within such general limits or
restrictions as the Legislature MAJ
prescribe.
For example. We have requests
schools for appropriations Of various
amounts beyond the aid allotted TO
them under the general law. We
cannot he unmoved by these appeals.
The response of the state should be
conditioned in each instance upon the
actual service rendered to education.
Instead of attempting an exact ap-
UTfISil w inc llteuS VI chtH
| suggest that you make general
appropriation for the purpose Of sup
plencnting State aid to secondary
schools in cSses of especial need and
that you authorize the State Superin-
tendent Of Pablo Schools to admins
ter this fund as he does the equaliza-
ton fund for common schools.
,.at II. i,n
wise conditions imposed upon appro-
priatinns 20 hospitals and charitable
institutions by the last Legislature. l
believe you can make it possible to
make one general appropriation also
for these institutions leaving the de-
tails 10 be worked out by the state
Board of Charities and Corrections
under the supervision OF the Govern
or and Council. Under the present
no institution can re
ccivc more than il has earned by
charitable work and may receive less
than il has earned if its special APP
,,ronriation turns out to he made
o,iate. Within til" limits of the pro
posed general appropriation each in
stitution would receive exactly its
fair quota based upon its reports I"
the STATE Board Of Charities and
Corrections.
You will not neglect TO make a M
crai appropriat ton for State pensions
Ia supplement the allowances by the
TO veterans OF previous
wars. There are about three thous-
and Of these pensioners and me aiio'
rnerts are distributed with great care
Ia, ,ha ,oncion agent after careful