The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1919-12-12
NEED OF Cash
TO RUN JERSEY
Financial Problem to Be One of
Most Perplexing for Governor
Elect Edwards.
MANY BIG BUDGET DEMANDS.
All Departments and Institutions
Squeezed by Soaring Costs Of LiV-
ing-Former Governor Named
Vice Chancellor.

SddSCZCo NY oval ny SOoIS " GiN-
ing-Former Governor Named
Vice Chancellor.
TrentOn.-One of the many perplex-
ing problems to which Governor Elect
Edwards will be obliged to devote a
large share of his inaugural message
is that of state finances Fortunately,
however, ne is well equipped to give
this problem intelligent attention, be-
cause the six years he served as state
comptroller made it possible for him
TO become thoroughly familiar with
every phase of the state business. In
deed, it was during Senator Edwards
regime in the comptroller's office that
the more businesS-like and efficient
plan of administration now working
out so satisfactorily was introduced
The requisition system, by which every
penny of the appropriations is ac-
counted for in advance, has made it
possible to ascertain at once exactly
what the balance sheet looks like and
prevents any possible overdrafts, such
as caused confusion and no little diff
Guilty IN Otner years.
The budget system, by which every
institution, department, bureau, board
end commission in the state is obliged
TO forecast its needs for the guidance
of the Joint Appropriation Committee
of the legislature, has also brought the
states financial arrangement up to a
standard of usefulness at once prac-
tical and enlightening.
These systems make the work of the
Appropriation Committee much sim
pier than under the old system-or
lack of system-but that is not the
most serious phase of the situation
which confronts the new executive.
This years total appropriations of
nearly S12000,000 were the heaviest
in the history of New Jersey, but that
total involves so many large and i'm
portant undertakings that there APP
peared full justification for them and
there was no real complaint from the
taxpayers. There was, for instance,
the $1,000000 fiat for the Hudson riv-
er tunnel and the $50O,0O0 fiat for the
Delaware river bridge, the largest sin
gle item for public project ever ap-
propriated.
There were also large items for nee
essary additions and improvements to
the charitable, penal and correctional
institutions, for which there had long
been insistent demand, but the reve-
nues were sufficient to meet these ex-
eraordinary expenditures without pill
ing up the burden of taxation. One
Of the larger items of revenue is that
| from collateral inheritance taxes I'M
| Ter the law which Governor Elect Ed
| wards as comptroller was largely in
strumental in having put through and
| which has proved to be a haven of
refuge in stressing periods.
Demands OF Budget Commission.
Now, however, there is every pros
| pect of a demand upon the incoming
legislature which the Budget Commits
sion and the Joint Appropriation Com
inittee of the legislature will find most
difficult to meet. Every department of
| the state government, every institu-
ton and board has found it necessary
to increase its budget for the next
| fiscal year, beginning on July l. The
| tremendous advances in the cost of
| every item of maintenance and opera
| ton have created problem of admin
| istration difficult of solution.
The salary question, too, has become
| one of grave moment, for, despite gen.
eral Impressions to the contrary, state
| employees have not been allowed mu-
| nificent emolunents. Indeed, the State
| House Commission, charged with the
| duty of distributing the emergency ap-
preparation now made annually in
| preference to The old deficiency bill,
under which so many abuses became
| possible, found it necessary to make
| an emergency allowance for increased
| pay, ranging from 10 to 25 per cent.
| for certain classes of employees. 1t
| was found that better pay elsewhere
was attracting trained workers. and
| that the state was facing a serious sit
uation in most of the institutions.
These increases were but temporary,
of course, as the authority of the State
House Commission is limited, and, in
deed, it has been suggested that in
this case its powers are in question.
The final word is for the next legisla-
ture, through its Appropriation Com
mittee, but the situation will have to
be faced.
Thus there will be one long and
loud wall for money, and still more
money. What this is TO lead to is diff
cult to forecast. Taxes throughout
the state are now at the top notch, and
the burden appears to be growing
heavier with the increased cost of ev-
cry item of living.
Against District Taxes.
In his campaign Senator Edwards
laid especial emphasis upon his I'M
alterable opposition to any further
levying of direct state taxes for any
purpose. The only direct tax now
levied is that of the mill on the dol
lar of ratables for the state highway
system. and under the law that has
two more years to run. 1t yields APP
proximately $3,OO0,OOO year. Under
the laws creating the Interstate Bridge
and Tunnel Commission it is provided
that a similar tax shall be levied, TO be-
gin where the other ends, but it is
probable that the governor elect will
move very early in his administration