The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-03-13
DOLLARS MUST
DO MORE and
BETTER WORK
Secretary to Governor Hardee
Fayors Scientific Fiscal
Plan.
SHALL FLORIDA ADOPT
THE BUDGET SYSTEM!
Is Already in Use BY Thirty-Nine
States-Check on Lax
Methods.
ray MARION |. DAWsoNl

number OF my friends in different
<arts of the state who have taken the
trouble to inform themselves regarding
our fiscal methods. and who realize
the necessity for making some radical
change in our present financial sys-
tenn, have asked me to say something
for publication in favor of the budget
procedure in Florida.
The advantages of the budget sys-
tenn, however, over the unbusiness ike
methods now i'm use in Florida and a
few other states are so universally
conceded that / do not believe that
there Is a man or woman in the state
who is even specifically informed re-
garding the budget procedure who
would oppose its adoption by our nexs
legislature.
When / use the word budget in this
connection, do not mean that hoary
impostor, that friend and associate oil
inefficiency and extravaganza, that
PARTNER of invisible, irresponsible and
too often dishonest government called
the omnibus Appropriation Bill, q
measure that is usually brought up
for consideration during the turmoil
of the last few days of the session.
whom every member is worn out, and
IL rushed through with little debate
and practically no opposition.
Already Adopted by SO States.
In advocating the adoption of an
Intelligent and scientific budget sys-
tenn for Florida's fiscal affairs, l am
in accord with the governors OF 80
other states that have been operating
satisfactorily under this system for
some years. The best informed fiscal
experts in the country approve it. The
q. S. chamber of commerce has re-
peatedly endorsed It. Former Justice
Hughes, former Presidents Taft and
Roosevelt advocated it and worked for
II. Every leading political party has
recently made it plank in their
platforms England, France, Germany
Japan and Canada, in fact all foreign
governments that have made the study
of fiscal affairs an exact science, have
adopted 1t.
That Florida, so progressive in 50
many things, should be content to re-
main one OF the few states who still
struggle along under the old loose, ex-
travagant, slipshod and unbusiness-
like methods of providing revenues for
the states real and imaginary needs
Is a curious phase of our public life
that 1t is difficult to understand OF
explain.
All thoughtful people agree that
there is no process of government SO
important as that which provides rev.
enue for the state. and they will agree
too. with equal equanimity, that moth
ing is so likely to lead to extravaganza
and inefficiency, II not dishonesty, as
that process which operates to take
money from the pockets of the people
without their consent and which
spents II without their knowledge
and we know that this is exactly what
results from our present loose and un-
business like methods of raising rev.
enues by legislative enactment.
In considering the adoption of bud
get reform. IL is well for us TO keeT
clearly in mind What the term 'scien-
tific budget" means.
What Is the Budget, and What Is il
Designed to Dor
The answer is clear. "A budget is 9
means through which the representa-
tives OF the people can intelligentlS
exercise their right and power to cou-
troll the public purse--to decide what
work shall be undertaken by the. gov
eminent and how much shall be paid
for IL. The purpose of the public purse
Is 10 provide funds for the work tC
be done The purpose of the contro
Is TO make certain that the Officers
charged with doing the work shall III
fact carry out the will of the legisla-
ture. A budget must, therefore Cd
develop information for the Legislature
and the public; 60 authorize worn
and provide funds for it,, and 90
provide for the effective exercise OF
control over the spending officers.
The authority and the correspond
ing duty should be imposed upon SONS
responsible head, preferably the gov
ernor, TO prepare scientific budget
which shall include every appropria-
iton the legislature will be called upor
TO make. and this schedule should be
so arranged and the items so clearly
set out that no expert knowledge viii
be required to understand them. Then
this budget so arranged. should bC
submitted 70 the legislature during the
first few days OF the session not tho
last few days. and copy of it should
be placed on the desk OF every mem
Der and It should be published in the
leading papers OF the state And those
who have prepared the budget, wheth.
er they are the governor and his as
sociates or the chief executive alone
should be required by law to appear
at any time before the legislature ia
open session and explain and defend
any appropriation asked for in the
kehedule. Then every member OF that