The New York herald., 1921-12-19
MILLER PLANS MORE
BIG CUTS IN BUDGET
Republican Leaders to Aid
in New $4,000, 1000 Saving
in State Costs.
SCORES OF PROBLEMS
Legislature to Act Quickly
on Constructive Measures
OF Importance.
LUSK FACES OPPOSITION
No Extra Direct Tax Possibly
for Deficiency in School
Salaries.
LUSK FACES OPPOSITION
Special Dispatch to THE NEW YoRx HErAtp.
New York Herald Bureau.
han Z

| Cut $10,000,000 out of the budget
bringing the States running expenses
within its revenues for the first time
In many years; put through a dozen
important constructive measures; make
the session short and snappy and
avoid all partisan fights.
Gov. Miller and the Republican
leaders have outlined such a policy for
the guidance OF the majorities of the
two houses of the Legislature for the
session of 1922. which will convene on
January 4. The Governor is complet-
ing his annual message, which will
bristle with economy demands.
The program presented offers many
big features. The Governor showed
the State a few things about how to
run it's business during the last session,
when he was new in office. After a
summers preparation he now is ready
to get real results.
The leaders are keen to avoid party
rows, but they appear TO have a little in
surgency outbreak to quell before they
can get started. There is strong opposi-
ton to continuing Clayton r. Lusk as
majority leader of the Senate all grow
| ing out of the furore made last spring
over the Senator's acceptance Of a $1,000
silver service from New York detectives
whose bill he forced through the Legis-
lature. The Republicans fear the DEM
ocrats will try to make political capital
out of the incident if Lusk remains as
leader.
Candidates for LusI.'s Place.
Those who are opposing Lusk are urg-
| ing the selection OF either Senator
Charles c. Walton of Ulster or Frederick
NJ Davenport of Oneida, Walton was q
candidate against Lusk a year ago Both
Walton and Davenport are experienced
legislators. Several suggestions have
been made for dealing with the situa-
ton Unless the Governor takes n hand
and stops the movement before the ses-
sion meets, there may be "a hard fight
| on the question. AS far as known, the
fN$cvSfssor's position is hands OFF, al
though he stood sponsor for I.usk last
year.
Political expediency will be a decided
factor in determining policies this ses-
sion. The Republican organization is
victory next autumn. Vindication of the
Governors policies is sought. Every
move made during the winter in Albany
will be considered In relation TO the next
election. The Governor has declared he
does not care to be a candidate to sue
ceed himself, but the prevailing opinion
here Is that he will be renominated. This
Is based on the belief that before the
session has adjourned the party voters in
this State will be OF one voice in de-
manding he run again.
! Important measures which are in
process of formation In the hands If
bill drafters and experts deal with q
wide range OF subjects. including tax
reforms, motion pictures, rents. auto
mobile taxes and revenues, water power,
transit, the building situation in New
York, Improvement of the governmental
machinery, conservation and a score OF
| other problems.
Get through tho regular session IN
| 100 days. the leaders say. They will
work with that In mind. The demand
for u short session Is because of the
probable necessity Of calling a special
session next spring to deal exclusively
with the proposed new charter for New
York city to be prepared during the
winter by the commission named by
the Governor.
The Governors economy plan has
proved q big success. Senator Charles
J. Hewitt chairman OF the State Budget
Committee, has stated that the budget
| for the coming year will be not more
than Sl25. 100000 That will represent a
cut Of 10000 900 from this years figures
and s20000,000 from the last year Of
Alfred r. Smiths administration. For
the first time In almost a decade a
q. II
OF the budget totals and sent the figures
downward.
First Result Reduced Taxes.
The first result which the public will
see will be a decided reduction IN taxes.
II may not be necessary to impose the
direct tax of $22, 10000 needed to pro-
| vide for the Increased salaries of teach
ers under the mandatory law passed last
spring The only direct tax needed
would be to provide the Sii 900 600 needed
| for debt service and sinking fund
charges. Retrenchment in governmental
expenses will be demanded all along the
| line. The Governor has cut deep in one
/ year into departmental extravaganza.
Further reorganization OF State de-
partments. with consequent looping cfi
! OF duplicating functions. is under con.
4 sideratlon. Tho proposed change would
| consolidate Inc State Engineers office
| Department OF Public Works. State
I Highway Commission and the STATE
| Architects office all into n Department
| OF Public Works. Such a change woIlt
! consolidate several engineering an
1 clerical staffs and make a tremendous
/ saving.
/ The Republicans are safely in contro
| OF both houses. although their majority
in the Assembly was cut down twenty
three votes In the election last autumn
This makes possible Democratic fill
I buster with an insurgent Republican
| faction, II there is such a thing as tb,
latter For the first time In eight years
the Assembly will convene without So
, Cialist member.
The new state Tax Commission is con
sideriug increasing the business corpc
ration tax and simplifying the methot
for imposing the State tax on public ser
vice corporations. Telephone, gas ant
electrical companies now have 10 maxi
seven or eight separate reports Of thel
financial conditions to as many differ
cnt State agencies. II is planned &
adopt scheme whereby only one repoi
win be needed. Big saving will resul
Ia clerical forces required both by th'
State and tho corporations.
Ono Of the big features OF the ncN
session viii bo tho Lockwood commit