The Penn's Grove record., 1920-07-09
Road Commissioners
Ousted By Governor
Big Balance In State Treasury
Envied By Tax Eaters

liCh llC oldlC hoNdl
year closed the free balance in the
treasury amounted to 50, 133, 819.39, or
approximately $1,000,000 more than
the estimated free balance given the
appropriations committee by the state
comptroller and state treasurer last
March. Governor Edwards was appris-
ed of the gratifying condition Of the
treasury in a telegram sent him by
State Comptroller Rugbee.
in making the estimate Of receipts
for the appropriations committee the
treasury officials placed the probable
free balance at $~1,373,0O0. In balanc-
ing the books 1t was found that total
receipts Of the state from all sources
for the fiscal year just closed amount
ed to $12,671, 969.32. Should these re-
ceipts be equalled next year, in addi-
ton to the free balance On hand, the
total resources for the present fiscal
year will be $14, S05, 1871.
In making the estimate of miscel-
laneous receipts the state comptroller
and treasurer figured that the transfer
inheritance tax department would real
ize 4 ,750,000. Instead of this $5,192,-
497.15 was realized, other increases
over the estimates were. as. follows :
Interest on deposits from S325,000 to
$780,, 900; secretary Of states office
from $250,000 to $3.50, 900 clerk of the
Supreme Court from 100000 to S116,-
900; clerk in Chancery from 100000 to
$4,000; Department of Health from
$12,0 900 to $4,000. Smaller increases
were shown in other departments.
Lapsed appropriations for the fiscal
year amounted to $213,427.4 5. Reap
preparations which would otherwise
have lapsed, amounted to $2,227, 1868.
Except for those appropriations the
cash balance in the treasury would
have been nearly doubled. The reap
preparations included the following
Bridge and Tunnel Commission, ST.
Q6,390.31; Morris Plains Hospital,
100000; State Normal School at
Glassboro, s2S3, e66.62; purchase of
toll bridges, $152,500; state use system,
$4,000.
Highway Boards Legal Battle.
Organization of the new State
Highway Commission created by Gov
erner Edwards to succeed the one
summarily removed proceeded at a
meeting held in the governors office
without the slightest hitch. Six of the
seven appointees We're present, the on
1y absentee being William J.. Kirby of
Somervf4le, who is in the South. George
I. Burton of South River was chosen
chairman; Thomas J. Wasser OF Jer-
seq city was naIaed state highway
engineer, and A. Lee Grover of Tren-
ton, secretary. Mr.. Wasser isFcounty
engineer of Hudson and his standing
in his profession is high. He sue
ceedS William s. Thompson, who re-
signed several months ago, to take
effect July 10, and his salary wastfxed
by the new commission at $4,000 a
year an increase of $1,000. Grover
serveda as secretary of the old com
mission.
The appointment of Watson G..
Clark of Tenafy by the old commits
sion to- serve as controlling engineer,
with all the powers Of the highway
engineer, was terminated by the new
board, which adjourned following or
~ganization to meet again on July 10,
orr at the call of the chairman.
Assemblyman David Young of iowa
co, acted as temporary chairman of
the meeting, and the other members
present Were: John Ferris of Jersey
City, George Paddock of Newark, Wal
ter s. Whitemore of. Newton George
L. Burton of South River, and Thomas
L. Collins of. Elizabeth.
TO attend q scheduled meeting of
the old commission. two of the ousted
members, Samuel Haverstick of Tren-
ton. and Louis C. Duncan of Westville,
came to the State House, but in the
absence of a quorum no meeting was
held They stated thatsit is the. pur-
pose of theiold board to ask Attorney
General McCran for an opinion as 70
whether or not Governor Edwards act
ed with authority in summarily remoy
ing the commission and appointing
new members. The attorney general
IS eApcClCu W give an Obiiiioh SoIilt
time next week.
AS an ex-oficio members Governor
Edwards sent to the new commission
a communication, in which he makes a
number of suggestions for their o n
sideration. He calls particular atten-
ton to the extreme deterioration ex-
listing In the road system throughout
he state and urges that immediate
steps be taken toward improvement.
He recommends a thorough investiga-
ton into the action of the old commits
sion in taking over for maintenance by
the state various roads from counties
and assuming full responsibility for
them.
sThe routes were taken over against
my expressed judgment, as | foresaw
exactly what has happened-namely
that the job of maintenance was too
great for the State Highway Commits
sion to shoulder alone" says the gov
ernor. "As 1t will probably be a num-
her of years before all Of the main
-.u roufoe CON hQ nQrmQnpDt1v