Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-02-10

$646. 100000, which is less than 39c OF
the total cash payments for the years
1919 and 1920. This fund was es-
tablished by law in 1915. The Con-
tingent Fund consists; First of lapses
from appropriations, not used; and
Second. of the amount by which the
actual income exceeds the current
expenses for the year. The fund
created from these two sources. Is
then withdrawn by the Governor and
Council: First, for emergency work
that arises after the close of the Leg
islative session; Second. for the COM
pletion of work that has been started
and for the completion of which the
appropriations made were not suf-
ficient; Third. for work authorized by
the Legislature but for which no def
mite appropriations were maze.
1t. is readily seen that where a
must estimate the States
income and expenditures for a period
of twenty four or thirty months in
advance. exactness in those estimates
cannot be obtained. The Governor
and Council occupy the position of a
board of directors that have frequent
meetings. while the Legislature COR
responds in a measure to a stock
holders meeting, held not as often as
once year, but once in two. If the
stockholders have confidence in their
directors there are advantages in
having Contingent Fund.
Formerly there was a tendency on
the part of heads of departments to
expend whatever appropriations were
made for them, with the result that
appropriations often were exhausted,
and unpaid balances were carried to
the next administration. Today the
head realizes that if the
funds of his department become ex-
hausted he may then apply to the
Governor and Council and state the
reasons why he needs relief. There
also was tendency in former times
for heads of departments to make
sure OF having an appropriation
large enough for all contingencies.
A properly administered contingent
fund checks the demands for excess
slve departmental appropriations.
1t should be recognized that the
past four years, with rising costs of
labor, material and supplies, have
peen difficult ones, but in these re-
spects the outlook for the future is
somewhat more encouraging. Dur
ing the years 1919 and 1920 s1,517.-
927.S2 was spent by the Governor and
Council from the State contingent
1und and $360,859.11 was spent by
tnem from monies in the Treasury
not otherwise appropriated" the total
being S1,S7S,7S6.93. This was made
possible because the actual income
received by the State during those
years was greater than the estimated
income, and the appropriations for
those years were based on the lower
nguFes of estimated income. Had
.his not been so, the special sessions
that were held would have been
called upon to provide additional in
come to meet the States expendi-
lures. The books of the State Audi
tor are at all times open to YOU,
Ihere is no mystery about them and
each and every, transaction for the
years that have passed is subject to
your inspection. The future of this
luna hes in your hands.
Budget .-
The work of the Budget Committee
mas proven of value to the Legislature
Ihe Budget states that the recop,.
mended appropriations can lie nroyided
Tor by 1-mill tax for war purnoses
"-ihlh tax Tor schools. 13-,nill tax 70,
roads, and 3-mill tax for general pur.
poses,' total of mills. Il shouJd ho
understood that in these budeat fg,,ros,
no provision has been made for certain
important measures now before You
onouid you approve these measures
You VIII need to revise the figures ~
the budget either by increasi tho q
mil tax rate, or by making some ro.
auction In the appropriations suggest.
GU III the budget. 1t is for Won IN
study these figures. to test their 90
curacy, ana to arrive at a wise so1,,-
ton of the difficult problem, + -,
prompt action in order that the legis.
iatlve session may not be unduly pro.
longed. pio'
Highways
Names road problem can he ,n,r
GATED when it is realized that Maj
covers an area as large as that of the
o'hei h'e New England states, with q
population Of 76S.014, where thew b.ve
o, e32'ss5; and that Maine has total
OF 25,529 miles of road. while the otho,
nve New England states have h,,,
oe'!ol. From this it is seen tba,
Maine has about 1919 of New Ena
iahos population and about 29ol of ire
ROADS. The question of good roass
must therefore always remain an ~.
POI .ah' ana difficult one. The far,
.hat such widespread interest exists
IN the highway question Is encopra a.
ins' LOT discussion is educational ,nd
Ultimately solution of the nroh,o,,
will be found. ie"
At present There is an undercurra,,
Vi opinion that a disproportiona r.
amount or the money ayat,ah,a e, -
ing spent on roads of costly const,,
s.o mat plant and overhead charges
are at times larger than they sbon1d
oe ana That the interest of the sn,a ,Iar
is sometimes unnecos-
sariiv made secondary to the deveIo,,
ment OF large projects. I,eferenoo =,
MADE to these criticisms in order tha
through the proper committee vo,, ~. :,
determine If they are we'll fo,,nas.
anu II SO may endeayor to suggest tbe
neeueo remedies. 1t should always he
oorne In mind that criticism, is not az
'hougn it ultimately may lead to. con.
structlon, and that this l3ie,o,,,.