Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-03-19
OFFICIALS SAY
EXTRA SESSION
is INEVITABLE
Decided by Auditors Demand
for Funds to Run Insti-
buttons.
ALTERNATIVE, TO CLOSE

Statehouse officials today were con-
WINGED of the inevitableness of a special
session of the state legislature this
spring as a result of a statement issued
by Otto L. KLAUS, auditor of state, de-
handing that a session be called to ap-
propriate additional funds for state in
stitutions and declaring that unless such
appropriations are made the institutions
will have to close
Mr. Klauss' status as an interested
party to the special session plan IS es-
tabnshed by the fact that technically he
has been at fault in misdirecting funds
Of the state to keep the institutions
open Similar action was taken by him
in 1917-191S, when the institutional ap-
propriations fell short, and tha action
was subsequently approved by the next
regular session of the legislature.
Now the auditor says he viii not cor
tinue to bear responsibility in caring
for the deficits out of the general fund
IS he did before. The institutions will
incur a deficiency for the fiscal year OF
$4,000, the statement says.
DIVISION OF OPINION
CAUSES GRAVE CONCERN.
A few weeks ago he is quoted as say
ing he did not care whether a special
session was called or not. The division
of opinion among republican leaders as
to the advisability of a special session
has caused gr%Ee concern among candi-
dates for party nominations.
Gov. Goodrich left for Miami, Fla. last
Monday, where he was to confer with
A
+, tional committeeman from Indiana. Poll
ticians expected they would discuss state
affairs, including the special session plan
81 see no reason" said Mr. KLAUS,
why the assembly can not convene and
pass on the institutional appropriations,
the proposal to erect war memorial
building, correction of election laws and
then adjourn"
III 1910 Mr.. Klauss repeated the move
of 1915 and drew on the general fund
tu AID state institutions This he did
witt the approval Of the governor, and
expecting, so he now says, that spe-
ciaI session of the legislature would hc
called to legalize the action. This. lie
said. was the only way to keep the insti-
tutions open.
THREE INSTITUTIONS
SOON WITHOUT CASH.
The session should be called within
the next ninety days, the auditor says.
Within a month three of the institutions
viii have exhausted their appropriations.
By July a majority of the institutions
will be out CT funds.
Il have determined" Mr.. Klauss said
that when appropriations are depleted
I will~not draw warrants on the general
fund to meet the bills. Unless the special
session is called 1 see no alternative but
to close the institutions"
The S150,000 emergency maintenance
fund in the hands of the governor viii
carry institutions for about two months
taking them up to July, the statement
says
Several institutions have themselves to
blame for their condition, according to
Mr.. KLAUS, as most of their requests
were granted by the legislature. if the
report Of the legislative visiting commit
tee is correct.
An emergency and contingent fund
Of 100000 for institutions was allowed
by the last legislature, but its use wat
restricted TO purchasing land and erect
ing buildings, so 1t can not be employed
to meet current expenses.