Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1921-08-13
STA.
CAPITAL
States Payroll Cut 100000.

away at the public payroll with such
effect that after everything had been
counted they figured that they would
save Maryland $101.500 q year II the
changes proposed become effective
The Governor and the special com
inittee labored until late az night with.
out completing their task The com
mittee viii meet again August Is.
a sharp controversy arose over q
proposal to assess public utilities for
sum sufficient to pay the expenses
Of the Public Service Commission, the
money 10 be paid into the State Treas
ury
The Tax Commission, the Industrial
Accident Commission and the Conser-
walton Commission offered the great
est difficulties Whether real wisdom
dictates The reduction OF these bodies
70 one man each. in view OF their in
innate relation TO great numbers OF
tarpaying voters. gave the reorganiz.
ers long pause followed by much de
bate, and in the end II appears likely
that the executive committee, or may
be the full commission will be left
to make the final decision on the first
two named
By looping OF two tax commission.
ers a; $1,000 a year each the State
would be saved $4,000 in salaries.
Bur fixing taxes IS q serious business.
opponents Of the reduction argued
and II might not be good public policy
10 put 80 much power into the hands
OF one man in g matter OF such deli
cacy and iar.reach.ng effect Money
would BE- saved likewise by decapitat
ng two OF the Industrial Accident
commissioners But this body exer
cises yitally important judicial func
tons in field where complete fair
ness is OF the utmost Importance so
this problem may be laid before the
larger bodies without recommends
ton.
The Commission attacked with zest
the reorganization OF the Office OF the
Attorney General. which formery was
held by Governor Richie They de-
cided 10 cut of one assistant who
draws $500 year and a collection
attorney al $4,000 a year and then to
require the Attorne! General to
serve a. general counsel 10 the Public
Service commission This would re.
suit in abolishing the Office OF general
counsel with Is salary OF s4s00. and
a sfenog~a or M 81 5oO
The toia! saving OF the dual opera.
tion would be Slo.s00 The Peoples
Counsel now appointed by the Public
Service Commissions counsel. would
De- appointed by the Governor No
other change was proposed FOR the
Public Service Commission
The committee then took up the re-
port Of The subcommittee designated to
estimate possible Savings in the
finance department under the general
plan OF reorganization approved last
week The State Treasurer's office. it
was decided should remain as Il is
Bur The Comptroller should be placed
IN charge 0! the auditor bank com.
missioner insurance commiss Toner.
TAX commission and purchasing bu.
reau This arrangement. Il was esti.
ma'ed would save $4,000 net. after
giving The comptroller s.. 500 year
more than a, presen and the auditor
81 loo more WITHOUT disturbing the
tax commission
Tn, principal savings would be ef.
tected BY ORGANIZING among the de-
partmenis a mobile clerica! force 70
handle seaeona. PUSHES which do not
overlap an item estimated 70 keep
Slo.6ea Yea. in the treasury. and
a reduction Of Sio.o00 year in ex.
pense, o. disbursement through spe.
cia! officers IN each % the state In.
>t!tufions These disbursing officers
would be dropped and the Office OF
deputy insurance commissioner abol
shed
SN thousand dollars year would
be saved By reducing the State Con.
Seryation Commission 10 one man. the
committee decided There was a sharp
debate over whR, should be done about
the STATE Game Warden But the UP
shot Of the discussion was that the
warden should come under the control
% the Conservation Commission. but
otherWis, Should be unchanged. A
proposal 9 put the Game Warden IN
der the sam. control a. the state Pc.
lice was voted down
The Mar, and Racing Commission.
;ht Board OF Motion Picture Censors
and the Tobacco Inspector were passed
by without an, changes being suggest
ed The committee will try TO deter.
mine under what department or de-
partmen's these agencies should func.
ton
To coliste Reorganization Reports.
The Governor III the reouesf ~ the