Evening journal., 1921-03-29
STATE FINANcIAL REFORM.

distinctly more busness-lke administration OF public
finances in Delaware should result from the passage
Of two by The General Assembly during It's
osing hours We refer to the State Budget bill and the
act reorganzng the duties Of and prescribing additional
duties for the State Auditor The Budget Bill the
measure prepared by the State Survey Commission, and
the Auditors Bill also is the result OF the abors OF the
same commission. II was drafted by Henry Rdgely, OF
Dover
Budgeary reform is a subject that has been agitated
consistently Delaware for several years but parcu
lary during the last years. Henry p Scott, chair
man FOR Delaware Of the Federal Budget Committee has
done quiet but effective work. particularly among bank
ers in advocating the enactment not only OF a
national but also OF state budget bill The
state Bankers Association devoted several sessions
at annual meetings and regional conferences TO con-
sderaton OF It, The Survey Commission distributed pub
LEFTY material, through the Delaware State Program,
pointing out to thousands Of citizens throughout the
state the need for such a law. The bill, enacted has
been pronounced by those familiar with similar laws in
other State good II was approved as to form
by William S Hies before It presented TO the Legis-
ature.
is also matter for congratulaton that in this i'm
portant matter Delaware leads the Federal Government
While the National Administration still wrestling with
the problem Delaware seemingly has solved hers far
legislation solve IL.
With the careful administration Of the act that car
expect from Governor Denney, again will Della
Legislature be called upon to pass appropriation bills
asgregating millions in such haphazard fashion To nav,
the legislative mill grind out appropriation meas
urcs at the rate OF several hour done las
Friday afternoon and night is far from edifyng INT
members OF both the House and the Senate rebeed time
time again. Confronted with the claims OF persons
advocating this and that grant OF State often u
members compelled to form snap judgment as tC
the intrinsic justice Of the appeal for state aid It is nC
wonder that members they openly stated thel
would do. voted mo" every appropriation messur,
last Friday.
the future under the budget law executive bulge
viii be presented to the Assembly almost
1t will include detailed estimates for ever
item Of State expenditure except for the State iudcar,
and the expenses OF the Legislature itself The gov
budget estimates arrived at only after month
OF preliminary study and conference with every Stat
officer board, commission and agency. The Legislator,
Of course, change the governors estimates in an
way it desires, but such changes will have 20 be mad
IN the light OF full Information and under the glare
publicity. In a word system Is TO be introduced int
present chaotic State financial scheme
The House OF Representatives did wisely Friday nigh
in Ignoring a slight question precedence with IN
Senate and enacung the budget bill II is hopeful sig
that in matters OF such importance, members will over
look fine questions, of party advantage to enact
that every well-informed citizen approves.
While the bill its passage Chairman Otwen
The House committee stated that he considered the bulge
bill the most important Of the session. A unanimousl
favorable vote resulted
As Senator Alice stated to the House. the auditors bi
framed 70 make The State Auditor real" audito
At present this important state official in many OF
supposed functions is only gurehead The present al
dltor in full sympathy with the measure just passe
it introduced with his knowledge and approya
We have doubt he viii administer it efficiently.