Smyrna times., 1922-02-22
EXPENDITURES

Following our usual custom of commenting
on certain items disclosed in audit of the
County Comptrollers records, we beg to direct
the attention of the Tax Payers to the fact
that in the Comptroller's published report, un-
der the heading Miscellaneous Receipts is
the sum of $20,00000 borrowed from the
Farmers Bank. Likewise, under the caption
Miscellaneous Expenditures" is this Same
loan of $20O0000 returned and SIO,975.56 set
over from the General Fund to the Good
Roads Fund. and S20,000.00 set aside for pay
ment of interest on the bonded Indebtedness
and maturing coupons. This still leaves $12.-
926.43 in this item of Miscellaneous Expendi-
lures included in which is the sum of $4,000
paid Public Accountant for inaugurating a
new system of accounting and opening a new
set OF books. We suggest that the ComptrOll-
er separate the expenditures in greater detail
IN order that the tax payers may know how
their money is being spent.
In this connection let say that the item
Of S2,865.OO for road repairs. was for a new
Tractor, road machinery and not road repairs
We observe an increase of 81, 90 in the
appropriation to the Kent County Aims House.
this, over last year. Our inmates in the insti-
tuition must be properly and comfortably cared
for, but at the same time. let US not come
short, If possible, in the production of the
Aims House farm.
We again see the great need of one purchas-
ing agent for supplies for the County offices.
This need is each year forced upon us by the
great difference in price paid for virtually the
same article. by the different offices. We have
Another matter of vital importance to the
tax payers. in judgment. was forced upon
our attention: viz, the superabundance of
clerks. and in some instances. the large sal
aries paid them. The tendency to extrava-
gance. in this matter. in some of the offices,
seemed very apparent, and it is occasioned in
no small degree. perhaps, for the reason that
the officials are not on their jobs. They are
drawing. in most, if not all instances, much
fatter salaries than paid their predeces-
sors of a few years ago, who with this small
er salary, did most of the work of their Offices
themselves. Today, despite this larger salary,
the officials are absent from their offices much
of the time. and when present are watching.
high salaried clerks, paid. not out of their
pockets. but by the County, doing the work
they should be doing.
If our tax payers would only occasionally
visit the County Building. and then on Eelee-
ton Day, remember some of the things they
saw, it might mean the beginning of a new
day. 1t seems absurd for the tax payer what
ever his vocation. to be studying and practic-
ing the strictest economy, and at the same
time. our County Offices to be the sluice-ways
for needless extravaganza.
AS we have on former occasions said. so
now repeat ; the office of County Comp
troller. with the right man in the office, is in
our judgment. the most valuable Office to the
tax payers in this County.
Respectfully submitted.
WALTER o. HOFFECKER
JOHN C. HOPKINS.
Committee.
State of Delaware.
Kent County. S.
Be it remembered that on the second day of
February, A. D., 1922. before the subscriber,
a Notary Public of the State of Delaware
personally appeared Walter o. Hofecker and
John c. Hopkins. Committee to inspect the
books and accounts of the Comptroller of Kent
County, respectively. and made solemn oath
that the foregoing report and statements are
true and correct to the best of their knowledge
and belief
WALTER o. HOFFECKER
JOHN c. HOPKINS
COMMITTEES
Sworn and subscribed before me the day
and year aforesaid.
HERMAN TAYLOR,
Notary Public