New-York tribune., 1922-02-06
State Tax Cut
Made Possible
By Economies
Surplus Of 2,4OO.OOO
Expected b, Wendell OF
June 30 and Levy May
Be Reduced This Year
Fraud i'm Prison Barred
Convict Accountants Blamed
for SI8,O82 Losses From
Swindles in Sing Sing
Prom a staff Correspondent

ALBANY, Feb. 5.-Jamcs A. Wendell,
State Comptroller, declared to day that
it would be possible to reduce taxes in
1922 The Comptrollcr's annual report,
which is to be submitted to the Lcgis-
laturc tomorrow, shows that New
York State is spending ,ess than its
income.
"A very conservative estimate Of the
probable condition Of funds applicable
II general expense purposes indicates" "
said Mr.. Wendell, that if existing rev
cnuo laws remain UNCHANGED there will
BE- surplus of $50 100000 on juno 30.
1922. While such surplus Will he
more than adequate it does not imply
that expenditures should be specdcd up
to reduce it. 1t means there may be
a further reduction of taxation in
1922.
State Lives Within income
at is gratifying to know that the
state is living within its income. Its
total revenue receipts for the fiscal
year were 1884 900, while eXpend-
lures out of those revenues were but
S135,S20 900. This indicates a healthy
condition and makes clear the thought
that nc additional tax or revenue bur
dens need be placed upon the taxpayers
during the Forthcoming ycar
"Thc surplus available for genera
purposes grew from S31 100000 on june
so. 1920. to S43 500 900 on June 30, 1921
The state must maintain a substantial
surplus to meet contingencies. but no"
that conditions are returning to nor
NAL there is no need for a surplus ap-
proximating St3 900 900 4 substantial
part Of this sum may be used in reduc
ton of taxation. In fact, S12.S0Oo0(
is being SO used this year. Tho state
tax apportioned among the counties
was reduced by that sum"
Discussing the states funded debt
Comptroller Wendell said: "All bonds
authorized to be issued have been is
sued and sold. The funded debt of the
state is now S267. .7S4, 900. There car
and will be no increase in this unit
and unless the voters decide at gen
eral election that more bonds shall DC
issued. While the states funded debt
is $267 100000 plus, accumulated sink
ing funds Of more than $4,000 900 re
duce the debt to a net obligation OF
SlSS. $500 900. In the main, this debt
Of the state WAS created for highway
canal and forest preserve purposes.
Civilian Help in Prisons
Comptroller Wendell makes strong
recomme endation in his report for sutii
cicnt civilian help to keep the tnancia
arr, industrial accounts Of the state
prisons. He asks that no convlcts here
after be employed on accounts.
In discussing this question the Comp
troller says in his report:
CAS- shown By III, last previous report
the state was defraudod of 81, ,l65.0t by
means Of false orders and vouchers, con
niyed and executed by convicts assigned
to office and accounting; duties at Sins
Sing prison!
"ln recent examination of The Same
institution, still in progress by The
Comptrollcrs 5 auditors, Il Further ant
more serious fraud has been discovercc
in the shape of forgorics OF bank checks
amounting to Sl4,oi7S6. So clcvcrl5
were the foreerics executed that Tho
signatures could hardly be told from
the genuine except upon the closest ex
animation Whilc the authorities have
been WClkiNE OH inc case. lcspOlSipi'tA y
has not yet been placed apon the par
ticular individuals. All indications, how
ever. point to coliusion OF inmates witt
outside accompices and the falsiticat tor
Of schedules and records Of the prisos
by inmates employed.
"In most cases it is found that ths
clerks of the prisons have more TO dl
than they can accomplish personally ant
nave TO depend upon inmate help with
out adequate safeguards for their faith
ful ucrfor;nanc