The Topeka state journal., 1922-12-07
Only About 800 Left in Gov
ernOr's Contingent Fund.
J. NJ. Davis Will Have Chance
to Use Economy Program.
MAY HAVE TO BORROW POSTAGE
Money on Hand Must Last Until
June 80, 1923.
Emergency Appropriation May
Be Made by Legislature.

Unless the legislature gives his de-
partment some additional funds Jona-
than NJ. Davis, governor-elect, will
have mighty fine opportunity 20 put
his economy program in operation in
his own office. On the basis of pres
ent balances it looks as tho the new
governor will have less than 500 in
his contingent fund when hc takes CT
flee. The money, must last unit! June
80 unless an emergency appropriation
is made by the legislature.
Maybe some of the state depart
mentS will loan Governor DAVIS n few
postage stamps. Otherwise it will be
mighty difficult task to answer the
correspondence and buy The stamps.
The new governor will receive n badly
depleted contingent fund when Gov
ernor Allen goes home. Unless he can
secure help from some source there
will be few kilograms or long distance
telephone messages from the gov
ernor's office in the next six months
and the governor may be forced to buy
most of his own postage stamps.
Only 500 in tho Fund.
During the fiscal year ending June
80, 1922, Governor Allen had a con-
tingent fund of $4,000. The fund for
the fiscal year ending Jnne so, 1923,
amounted to S2,50O. However from
the $4,000 fund of last year, there was
an uneXpended balance of S141.93,
which was reOppropriated That left
$2,641.93 with which to meet inciden-
tai bills of the governors office during
the twelve months. On the basis of
apportionment Governor elect Davis
should inherit a fund of about $13OO
Instead of receiving that amount tho,
he will probably find less than 500
available and may draw an overdraft.
Since July Ia period Of five
months-Governor Allen has spent
$2.27S.94 from his contingent fund.
That left $364.99 available for little
more than a month remaining in his
term and more than five and a half
months of the Davis term.
On the basis of Governor Aliens
contingent fund expenses during the
first five months of the fiscal year,
it will require $455.40 to carry the de-
partment thru December and pay
postage, telephone, telegraph and in
cidentaI expenses. Another 500
would be needed until the inaugural
January s. That would mean an over
draft of practically 5000. BY strict
economy, tho, the fund may carry
thru the balance of the Allen term and
might leave few dollars with which
the new governor could buy some
stamps.
Gov. Allen Faces Overdraft.
Under the legislative system of MAX
ing appropriations the heavy expense
comes in the odd years with reduc-
But it is illegal to spend money which
a department does not possess. Con.
sequently in frankly cold analysis of
the situation, Governor Allen himself
not only faces an overdraft but there
will be no money for his successor
To be sure there may be an emer-
gency appropriation for the incoming
governor. But that means added ex-
pense for the taxpayers. So Cover
nor Davis faces the alternative of ask
ing for additional help following the
closing days of the Allen term or he
may announce that people with state
business should come to Topeka in
person or wait until after July l for
reply to their letters.