New-York tribune., 1920-11-21
Secretary of States Re.
quest for s2,OOO,O0O
Increase in His Budget
Arouses Upstate Men
s750,000 Required
To Pay Newspapers
Governor-Elect, Astound-
eel by Figures, Confers
With Sage and Others

Francis NJ. Hugo, Secretary Of State.
has put in a reQusition to the state
budget-makcrs for an increase Of S.
100000 over ms appropriation OF $40
900 for the calendar year Of 1920.
His rcqusition has astounded Gov
ernor-elcct Miller, Senator Henry N
Sage, chairman Of the Senate Finance
committee; Assemblyman RI Edmund
Machold and others, who were in con-
ference Friday and yesterday at the
St. Regis.
1t was said that Attorney General
Newton may be asked by Judge Miller
soon after the FIRST of the year to in
vcstigcte the Office of the Secretary
Of State.
1t was said last night that instead
of keeping reasonably near his appro
prlation for 1920, the bills for adver-
tslng concurrent resolutions in the
country newspapers of the state au-
thorized by Mr.. IIugos office this year
indicate that the Legislature will have
TO appropriate about s750,Oo0 to cover
this excess.
Govcrnor-clect Miller, Senator Sage.
Mr.. Machold and others yesterday dis
cussed the rcquisitions from Mr..
Hugo's Office for The year 1921. Yror
their size it is assumed that Mr.. Hugo
is asking for sufficient amount to
cover the unpaid bills.
Tucrn,co Iyojj
Senator Sage, it is said, objects 10
such an increase. While he will net
be in the Senate next year, he is
charged with the duty of assisting in
making UP next years budget. 1t is
said that Senator Sage contends that
such an increase in the cost of run
ming the Secretary of States Office il
entirely unwal anted
"hlie the vicious state departments
are supposed to keep within their an
preparations, of late years thew fire.
quently have exceeded them. tie reason
being that the cost Of everything is
greater than formerly. Frequently the
Legislature has been asked to anpropri
ate from 100000 to 5000 900 to cover
the added cost But in the case of
Secretary Hugo's Office, the upstate
mon who conferred with Judge Miller
this week said that they saw no reason
FOR the cost Of The Secretary Of States
Office being jumped $2,O00,OOO in sim
Gle year, and they said they would 20
on record against any such increase.
Secretary Has Discretionary Power
Ordinarily the boards of supervisors
IN 'he various counties designate Re-
publican and Democratic newspaper
to print the concurrent resolutions. or
session laws. The Secretary of State
has discretionary power to authorize
additional advertising if. in his judc-
ment. the circumstances warrant it.
In one county this year, after the
supervisors had designated, the Secrc-
tary OF States cfice authorized the ad-
vertising IN ten additional newspapers
There are varying opinions as TO how
best to handle the Indebtedness of the
state contracted by MIR. Hugo's Office.
There is strong proba ability that the
law will be amended so rs to make it
impossible for the head of depart
men. to exceed his appropriation
beyond a reasonable amount. and max
ing it misdcmeanor to so exceed it.
Miller Appalled, at Increase
Judge Miller is appalled, at the ten
tativc increases called for in the new
budget, which last year WIS about
s145, 100000. and which for 1921 ten
tatively stands at about S16O 900. 900.
1t is understood that the Secretary
of States office explains the great in
crease on the ground that the business
of the office is increasing all the time,
showing this year collections totaling
close to $4,000 600. This large show
ing. Nh Hugo's friends say, warrants
large increase in the Offices ex-
penscs.