The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1921-03-24


the assistance of our State Aud tor l
have been able to obtain compre-
hensive insight into the affairs Of
these departments, and now bring to
your atteLtlOn certain Instances
where a considerable saving can be
made.
Adjutant Generals Department. In
the Adjutant Generals Department
under Military Furd" a lump sum
appropriation of 100000 per year is
asked for The National Guard Act
passed by Congress requires the
State of Maine to provide a National
Guard of 1900 officers and men This
puts the State to heavy expense, even
with the aid that is received from the
Federal Government, and although l
doubt the need of having a Guard of
this size in time of peace, it is nee
essary for the State to do it's best
to meet this requirement The Ma
tional Guard Act may be changed
later by Congress and the military
obligation of States of small popula-
ton reduced. The Federal Govern
ment is to distribute large amount
Of surplus war material which al
though of a doubtful value must be
cared for by the States receiving it.
The State of Maine has reason to be
proud Of the record Of it's National
Guard, but our people do not feel the
need of a great military establish
ment because they know that the
men who responded in 1917 and 1918
Will do so again should the call be
sounded. This 100000 item is
blanket estimate, and may be re-
duced after the Adjutant General has
prepared a detailed statement giving
the actual number OF men to be cared
for and the expense of the same
Military Report. Under the same
department there is an item of $780,,
600 to cover the printing of the mill
tary report for the war period 1t
is proposed to publish the records not
only of the 10000 men who went in
to the army and navy from this State,
but also of the men who registered
under the Draft Law and who never
were in the army or navy. The plan
is to print from four to six volumes,
each volume conta ming about 1.000
pages, and there are to be from 25,
900 to 10000 sets of these volumes.
The total number of volumes would
be from 100000 to 10000 and under
the present state printing contract
oh toI1-
$500. The $50. 900 Budget item would
only begin the work In my opinion
the State should prepare an adequate
record of the men and of the military
units in actual service but its publ
cation may well be delayed until a
new printing contract is made, or I'M
til it is definitely known what the
total cost will be-
State institutions. In providing
for the maintenance of the various
State institutions the items of the
Budget, which are based upon the
1920 prices, are adopted. l am of the
opinion that these items can be re
duced during the coming period and
! urge the necessity Of strict economy
upon the part of the Trustees Of
these institutions If the Depart
meHts of State in this Capitol are re-
quired to practice economy and to
DO as good or better work upon less
money, the same should be expected
of the States Institutions
No changes are recommended in
the amounts suggested for State Aid
institutions, Hospitals, Childrens
Homes. Academies and Institutes, as
the Bpdget report covers these items
in a satisfactory manner. With the
gradual reduction Of war prices the
prifate institutions that receive State
aid doubtless will effect economies in
their maintenance ard thus will be
relieved from the tain imposed up
on them during the past few years.
University of Maine. The Univer
sity of Maine received from the State
$40 0O0 per year for the past two
years and at present. according to the
figures given me by the President of
that institution, has a deficit of $214,
900.
The University of Maine is an in
stituton in which our people take
pride. but | believe that the State
should notbe called upon to assume
this deficit, and have suggested to the
President of the University that its
loyal alumni be appealed to for the
purpose of raising fund so that the
institution may no longer be handi-
capped by debt. Other educational
institutions have wiped outtheir debts
in this manner with marked success.
The Budget recommends an appro-
priation of $575,00O for maintenance
for the fiscal period which is to be
$150.OOO more than has been appro-
prated in the past for similar pc
ROD With price reduction already
commenced l believe the work Of the
L University will not be hampered if
the States appropriation is reduced
from s575,0OO to 100000 and what
ever is done, there should be i'm
pressed upon the University author
tiles the need of strict economy and
of living within their income. mas
much as the methods Of bookkeeping
in vogue at Orono do not meet the
requirements of modern accounting
it would be well to have a representa-
tive of the State Auditors office at
tached to the University.