The New York herald., 1921-01-17
NINE ALBANY BILLS
ASK FOR SS,SSS,OOO
Despite Miller's Plea for Econ
omy Requests for Money
Pile In.
HEAVY sLAsHEs CERTAIN
Bic Battle This Week Over En-
larging Lockwood Com
mittee's Power.

ALBANY, Jan. 16.-The 1891 Legis-
lature has held only two sessions and
In that time nine special appropriations
bills carrying a total of sS.ses.000 have
been introduced, despite Gov Miller'R
ultimatum that economy of the most
emphatic kind will characterize his ad-
ministration. Many additional millions
will be requested I'm measures to be In
troduced within the next two months
OF the special appropriation bills al
ready introduced. the largest single
item Is s4,000,000 for construction OF
hospital for soldiers. sailors and
marines. There are also requests of
$2.O00,0 600 for old age pensions and
S1.00o,cO0 for mothers welfare.
The men who have the most promi-
nent part In determining the States
financial policy apparently are not dis
turbed by these bills. All appropriation
measures are referred to the Finance
Committee of the Senate and the Ways
and Means Committee of the Assembly.
and without the approval of these com
mittees the bills can make no headway.
At present the chairmen of the financial
committees are confronted with the task
of pruning approximately s60,000.000
from the requests of department heads
for thu appropriations for the next fiscal
year.
While no official or formal notice of
reduction in the way Of departmental
appropriations has been received by the
financial committees, 1t is understood
that all department heads are cutting
to the bone. and II is hoped by the
financial leaders of the Legislature that
the 1921 appropriations VIII not exceed
the 1920 total of s141.sS5,000 allowed
at the regular session. The extra session
to consider the housing situation added
S3.334.000 to this total. They say the
ordinary running expenses can be kept
within this amount. but unforeseen con-
tingencies may arise that will increase
the total.
For example. the voters in November
sanctioned bond issue of S4b.0OO,Ooo
for soldier bonuses. II 1t should be de-
cided to raise the entire sum In one
issue. an appropriation OF approximately
s4,000000 would be necessary this year
for amortization and sinking fund pur-
poses. IT, however, only half the bonds
are floated this year an appropriation
of s2,000.000 would be sufficient for
sinking fund and amortization.
Decision regarding the policy to be
followed with respect to the construction
of the New York-New Jersey yehieular
tunnel also will have some effect. An ap-
preparation of ss.500.000 has been sus-
gested In this connection, which, II al
lowed. will increase the total of expendi-
lures by that amount
On the other hand, If Gov. Miller's
recommendations for the abolition of
some State departments and the con-
solidation of some others are followed
by the Legislature 1t is expected that
there will be a substantial saving. The
Governor urged the obolltion of the Mill
tary Training Commission. which last
year cost $323,0 900, and this year Is
requesting S607 900: the Department of
Narcotic Drug Control. which asks an
appropriation of $4,000, and the office
of the State Superintendent of Elections.
which asks for $4,000. He declared
that reorganization of the Industrial
Commission would result in an annual
saving of $1,000 900, and he urged the
consolidation of all taxation bureaus
under one head. In the interest OF
economy as we'll as of efficiency.
Uncertainty Adds to Problem.
Uncertainty regarding the disposition
OF the Governors recommendation by
the Legislature is adding to the diff
cJilties OF the financial committees. The
lawmakers arc not prepared to approve
appropriations for the Military Train
ing Commission, the Narcotic Drug
Control Department or the State SUI
perintendent OF Elections II those offices
are TO be legislated out OF existence /;
nor do they wish to withhold the ap-
propriations II the departments, or any
of them, are TO be continued.
The question of reorganization and
consolidation of other departments also
must be settled, either by legislative
action or by agreement OF the leaders.
before the financial committees can be
in position to submit the annual budget
bill to the Legislature. Under the law
the budget bill must be introduced by
March Is.
The revenues OF the State for the our
rent year are estimated at $4,000. 900.
II appropriations of the 1921 Legisla-
ture exceed that sum new sources of
taxation must be developed. 1t is de-
clared.
The Lockwood committee investigat-
ing the housing and building situations
will be the centre of controversy at the
Capitol this week when the financial
committees consider it's request for ex-
tension of life, broadoned powers to In
yestigate banks and insurance COM
panies and an appropriation OF $4,000
with which TO continue activities. The