Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-01-08

while TrOtsky wished to continue
the reign of red terror.
code, have been submitted to me
and are being printed and bound
into one volume. These reports
cover the work of the several de-
partments since the adoption of the
code, and will be submitted to you
with the hope that you will give
them your careful consideration.
First Budget Is Ready.
One of the departments created
by the civil administrative code
was the department of finance. In
pursuance of the powers vested in
that department, it has provided for
uniform system of bookkeeping
in all branches of the government
under the governors control. 1t
has prescribed forms for accounts
and financial reports. 1t has sup
ervised and examined the accounts
and expenditures OF the several de-
partments. 1t has approved or dis
approved all vouchers, bills and
claims of the several departments.
1t has required each department,
before an Appropriation for such de-
partment should become available
for expenditure, to prepare and sub
NIT to the department of finance an
estimate of the amount required for
each activity to be carried on with
in such department.
The department of finance is also
required, under the administrative
code. to prepare a budget, and full
powers were vested in the depart
ment to make any investigation
which might be necessary to en-
able it TO formulate intelligently
the financial needs of the state for
the next biennium. Such investi-
CATION has been made and the bud
get has been prepared as required
by law. and will be submitted to
your honorable body. 1t will be
readily seen that the director of fin
ance began, in fact, preparing for
the budget u Jufy /, 1917, Tor
when he exercised his powers of
supervision over the accounts of
the several activities of the state,
he began to form some idea as to
the real needs of the state. At
this time | need only say that the
budget is the result of many months
of exhaustive study and arduOus
work. I believe that it will COM
mend itself to your wisdom.
Public Welfare Problems.
Perhaps the department of public
welfare has labored. during the
war, under greater difficulties than
any other department of our gov
ernmeut. Though the minimum
wages of attendants were increased
40 per cent, it was impossible to
secure competent attendants in
like sufficient numbers.
The drafts specially made upon
and nurses in the ser
vice by the var department and the
Red Cross threatened to demoralize
the service. In some instances, the
entire medical staff of a hospital,
with the exception of superIntend-
ent ard assistant superintendent,
was changed twice during the war,
At one time the situation was so
serious that l deemed it necessary
to make a direct public appeal to
the people to engage in the neces-
sary work at the state institutions
in order that we might not have to
close them.
Much trouble. too, was had in
sufficient and satisfac-
tory food for the inmates of the in
Stitutions because of government
At best, where food
must be prepared in such large
quantities, the problem is a hard
one. Means have been provided,
however, by which it is hoped that
this situation will be permanently
Special attention has been given
10 the farms connected with the
different institutions. The depart
nent of public welfare, in cooper
ltion with the department of agri-
has reorganized the activi-
les of these farms. They have
leen made very productive and pro-
liable in every instance Indeed,
hey have been a very large factor
n helping US to meet the food prob
EN- at all. We have demonstrated
hat these farms are not only a
source of considerable revenue to
he institutions, but they also afford
healthy and wholesome occupation
or the inmates of the institutions,
Who are suited to this work. In
addition to this, there is no rea-
ION why each of the institution
arms should not be an object les
on making for better agriculture |
n its community.
Under all the circumstances, It is ]
unlimited that the state institu- |
ions have functioned much better |
han could have been expected. The |
'fficers of these institutions, who |
'vercame their difficulties and en- /
'arrassments during these trying /
ines, are entitled to the gratitude |
4 the people of Illinois. l visited !
most of the institutions myself and !
now something OF the appalling |
Obstacles they had to overcome,
The buildings and equipment of |
he state institutions were found TO !
10 IN bad physical condition. That |
onditlon has been considerably i'm |
,roved by utilizing the labor of in
mates Of the institutions, It has
cen the policy of the department /
0 furnish occupation, wherever
to the population OF all