Evening journal., 1921-09-01


monies received by boards, COM
missions, etc. All this means that
the mechanical necessities are sup
piled for getting and giving informa-
tion, and controlling expenditures.
Declaring that the budget law ap-
pears to be an excellent law. ="
former Governor Miller reviewed its
provisions in detail, and said:
rs the budget law democratic? I?
Assuredly yes. The law requires
that the budget be printed in the
papers. and that It be distributed
among the departments and officers
of the State. The hearings are pub
lie. and the statements will be so
arranged as TO be readily UNDER
stood.
"The classification which the bud
get requires will be of no small ad-
vantage. 1t will show the expendi-
lures for obligations assumed in the
past, expenditures for present oper-
atoms. and indebtedness incurred for
future benefits. such as improve
ments. This indebtedness incurred
for future benefits is reflected in the
outstanding bond issue which stands
as follows;
1917. $ss6,7s5; 1918. s9s1,7s5;
1919, s1,5s1,7s5; 1920. $2.O66,7 7S5 ;
1921. $3.O56.7S5.
These figures show an increase
for the five years Of s2.17O,00o. The
present administration must provide
for carrying this indebtedness. the
interest and redemption of the
bonds. Interest at As per cent.
amounts. 10 s1S7.555 a year. state
bonds redeemed. 1917, $4,000;
1918. $4,000; 1919. $4,000: 1920.
$4,000. The governors statement
allows $4,000 for redemption Of bonds
for the year 1921. These are obli-
cations which the present admins
tration and future administrations
must meet, even though they had nc
part in assuming these obligations
A budget statement will show this
clearly-so clearly that If there is
any increase over the present I'd
ed Indebtedness the Office OF gov
ernor will not be an enviable or
The budget will also show how rch
a governor plans to increase the
bonded Indebtedness for the sake
OF future benefits together with a
specification OF such benefits. Ir
this way we shall be able to sec
finances and just how each govern l
plans to handle the States affairs.
Summing up briefly the adm.
tages OF the budget system gives ac.
curate figures of the needs Of eaet
department. bureau. board. com.
mission. division office and officer b,
accurate and scientific calculations
il makes intelligent planning posi-
BILE: it brings the States finances
into the open. so that each either
may know the facts and figures ant
the plans OF the administration.
by 1928 we should have the me
chanical means for getting financia
information. through the new ac
couting system; for applying com
mon sense to spending through thu
budget: and for controlling expen
ditures and living up TO the bulge
through the power OF the auditor
office. Unquestionably we shall short
lly be in n position TO Intelligent.
understand the financial problem
and have the means for solving thos
problems. The question arises. how
ever-how are we 10 find the solu
! tion to these problems2
Must Have Organization
If the states problems OF financ'
--revenue. expenditures and handlinl
/ Of funds-are to be handled witt
wisdom and dispatch. there must b.
an organization which can work il
cooperation and act efficiently ant
in accord with the most approve
methods. Your attention Is espec
tally directed TO that which is alb
solutely essential - organization
| What viii all the mechanism an
| budgets do for the finance admins
triton II there is not the organiza
ton 10 form policies, TO collect reve
nues expeditiously, and to spend IN
!. money economically. The huma
element must necessarily play a larg
part
For your consideration the fol
lowing questions are suggested. fo
can discuss them with your assc
ciates and neighbors, and determin
wherein the best interest OF the pee
ple OF the State will be served
Should the State Auditor be electe
by popular vote, or appointed by IN
Governor. who Is responsible for IN
financial administration? Is the Coy
ernor to select his own associates b'
cause Of their fitness as financial at
visors and their technical ability1
, you may recall that previous
I, the adoption of the present constit'
ton, the Governor appointed all az
, ministrative officials. Those OF yc
who may recall that time can detei
4. mine whether our. State has benz
: fted by decentralization under Il
present constitution. BE this as
may. the present constitution III
certainly served its purpose. and Il
. people Of the State under preset
= conditions are entitled 10 a bett
. form OF government than is obtaii
= able under the provisions Of the pre-
= ent constitution.
"a Should there be one or many of
~ GERS responsible for the collection
= taxes and funds2 Is there any go'
a reason why the State Treasur
should not be responsible for the &C
Is lection of all taxes. and be given
"a sufficient force to perform the wo
rs of the Office in an efficient mann'
H. and the accounts OF his Office kept
al modern and proper form?
H. rs there any valid argumt
20 against centralized purchasing
s. the state? Can standard articles
az purchased cheaper for one of
Cst.4. a0n.a. .aI a.r.u