davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1922-01-05
Fduors Children's Courts to Care for
Dependents, the Judges To Be Elective

until the final report Of the commls-
sion.
deplore paternalistic tendencies
which substitute dependence upon
the state for self-dependence and selt;
reliance Of The citizen. but it Is one
Of the highest functions Of the state to
safeguard childhood snd to protect the
public health and the proper discharge
Of that function is not paternalistie.
However, in dealing with the problem
Of child welfare, two propositions mus.
be observed. The state cannot take The
place of the home and should not in
pair home influence. The primary OBJ
legation to support, care tor and rear
children rests upon the parents and the
state should do nothing to lessen thar
obligation. However, the state IS coz
cerned with, and self-preservation re
ouires it, to take all legitimate meas
ures to promote the physical, meHea.
and moral welfare of the children. II
should certainly adopt all practicaole
measures to remove remedial physicai
ard mental handicaps.
The state now properly undertakes
to provide for the education o. tae
blind and deaf in special lnstltut'ons
established for that purpose, but oy
reason Of q peculiar state OF the ias
deaf children between five and tweN"
years of age can only be commlteeo "
such institutions as county charges ~
local poor law officials. Many oiIeia:s
are slow to impose charges on taeii
counties. Moreover, it should not Dc
necessary to class blind or deal CHI
dren as paupers to enable them to Dc
educated and fitted for useful work &c
we'll as their misfortune permits.
recommend that that anomalous sta"
of the law be corrected and that IN Tao
future admissions to such institutions
for deaf, as we'll as blind, and undes'
as we'll as over, twelve years OF sSs'
be made at state expense. =.
Another class of physically hanoi'
capped children requires special con,
sideration. There are many crippiec
children who can be cured or greass
improved, if properly treated In TINS
This is being demonstrated at the IN
stitution at West Haverstraw for tns
treatment Of crippled children, but y y
has not sufficient capacity to provios
for all seeking treatment. recon
mend that provision be made for ss
enlargement. No child in the Stare o.
New York should be handicapped by
remediable physical defect.
The law now provides for the phys'-
cal inspection of children in tns
schools under the supervision Of .ne
educational authorities. Much OF tnas
work as now done is perfunctory. Tner
should be more efficient medical inspec-
tion and better coordination between
the work of inspection and that o.
other health activities. so as to assa1e
the correction of defects discovered; ~
IL AcD&
the inspection work should be unae.t
the supervision of the Department. o.
Education as now, or under the ~
partment of Health, which superyisssss
other health activities. The essensls.
thing is that the work be better so~
ordinated. have requested the Con-
missioner of Education and the Com.
missioner of Health to confer on sns
subject and suggest plan, and y IT, 'Is
ommend the enactment Of stich leeSs's
Continues - pass sixS
New-York tribune., 1922-01-05
Urges Capitalization and Creation of
Bureau of Purchase and Supply

L proper centralized system would
ter stores control, better inspection,
more accurate anticipation Of needs
and less red tape. OF course, such
system can only be installed by de-
grees. ] have no doubt whatever ii, It
If properly inaugurated great econo-
mics and better service can be secured
under a centralized system. Such sys-
tens have been established in num-
her OF states, and the reports of opera
tions of each indicate substantial
saving.
The human factor is undoubtedly
large element in the problem, but, in
MY opinion, the Capitalization of re-
sponsibility will focus attention upon
the work and bring to light any errors
or faults that may be committed,
whereas now such errors or faults, if
they occur, are concealed by the num-
hers who may commit them and whose
work is not under close observation.
They would become critics under q GEN.
tralized plan.
The present purchasing methods OF
the state, together with the proposed
plan of centralized purchasing, was
submitted to the purchasing agents of
six large companies, who are unani-
nous in reporting that a centralized
system for the state is practical and
will result in economy.
recommend that a department OF
purchase and supply be created, the
head to be appointed by the Governor,
the Senate, with complete power over
purchases for all departments and in
sttutions. The functions OF the Fiscal
Supervisor, of the Hospital Commits
sion and Of the Superintendent OF Pris-
ons relating to purchases, together
with the staffs employed in this work,
should be transferred to such DEPART
ment. Any other duties of the Fiscal
Supervisor can be transferred to the
State Board of Charities. The statute
should be flexible enough to permit the
department to be organized on broad
lines and gradually to take over the
There undoubtedly should be three di
visions Of such departments ac-
counting division, stores control di-
vision and a purchasing division. In
dependently of the department of pur-
chase and supply, if one is created,
there should be q committee to pre-
scribe standards and specifications, and
on that committee should be a repre-
sentative of each of the institutional
groups.
Real Estate of the State
The state is the owner of tax titles
to 1000 parcels of real estate; it has
acquired title to 113 parcels by fore
closure of United States loan mort
cages; it is the owner of 607 mort
cages on real estate and has other
miscellaneous holdings. not devoted to
public use and not within the forest
preserve counties. 1t receives from
all Of its real estate an annual rental
Of about $1,400. The land ACQUIRED ot
foreclosure sale has been owned bv the
state from sixteen to seventy-fve
years. 1t owns mortgages which are
more than eighty years old, MANY of
them for small sums. The Commis.
sloners of the Land Office hays the
New-York tribune., 1922-01-05

That will give the voters of each dis
trict an opportunity, if they desire to
do so, to elect man and q woman.
Doubtless there are objections to hav-
ing two committeeman from district,
but in my judgment those objections
are outweighed by the Importance of
securing proper representation of the
therefore. recommend that provision be
made by law for the election of two
committeeman of the various political
parties from each district The unit
Of representation should, in my judg-
ment, be left to the party organization
OF each party to determine.
CD Gross frauds are reported each
year both in registration and in the
canvass of the votes. The one effective
way to prevent frauds in the canvass
OF the votes is by the installation of
an experiment.
l recommend that the use of voting
machines be made obligatory in first
and second class cities, and that ef-
1ective provision be made for their
gradual installation. Such a law ap-
picable to irst-class cities was passed
last year. but it was found to be de-
fective. | also recommend that the
Attorney General be given power to ap-
point additional deputies within thirty
days prior to election each year, with
power to investigate illegal .registra-
ton and voting. There should be ample
provision for the detection of election
frauds and the speedy prosecution of
Offenders. The state should omit no
precaution to guard the purity Of the
ballot.
Institutions
The institutional problem Of the state
has grown to very large proportions.
There are three groups which present
serious problems, each peculiar to
itself. e., the state hospitals, the
penal institutions and the institutions
for the mental detectives.
(a) INSANE HOSPITALS
There can be but little criticism OF
the custodial care of the inmates in
the state hospitals. They are we'll
housed, clothed and fed. The curative
side of the problem is the one demand
ing the most intensive study and ef-
fort, and I am glad to say that the
problem is receiving the earnest study
Of our exceptionally competent corps
of hospital superintendents, who, l am
assured, will receive the earnest coop
Grafton Of the Hospital Commission.
The effort should be to increase the
number Of discharged and paroled pa
tients. recommend that provision be
made for an adequate ffeM force and
for the employment by the Hospital
New-York tribune., 1922-01-05
Power and HEATING Plant.

I believe that economies can be ef-
fected in the operation of the states
power and heating plants, which in the
aggregate have a large consumuion OF
coal. I recommend that an efficiency
engineer be employed to visit and
supervise the operation and equipment
of those plants. He might appropriate
Engineer
Child Welfare
A commission was appointed two
years ago to revise the laws relating to
children. l understand that commits
sion is now at work OF the problem and
that whilst it may not be ready to sub
NIT final report at this session of the
Legislature it will be prepared to sub
NIT certain recommendations.
The adoption of Constitutional
mendmcnt No. 5, submitted at the last
election, auth orizing the establishing OF
children's courts and courts Of domestic
relatins, paves the way for an immedi.
ate reform about which there can be
little controversy.
There are 4,166 judicial officers, in
Guiding 3,736 justices of the peace ir
the state with power to cor,m4s chill
dren as public charges. Inc vote or
said amendment was an expression o1
public disapproval of the present system
or lack of system of dealing with neg.
iected and delinquent children. Juven-
lie delinquency should be dealt with
in accordance with the condition ano
needs of the child, not under the pena
law or in accordance with the rules Of
criminal procedure.
l recommend the passage of per.
missive law establishing in all coun.
ties outside greater New York, in which
the county judge and board of super.
visors so determine, children's court
to have jurisdiction of all cases OF
neglected and delinquent children, the
judge Of the court to be county Judge
or if he and the board Of supervisors
so determine judge Of the children's
court to be elected in the same name,
as the county Judge is elected.
Our laws dealing with dependen,
children are in an equally chaotic
condition. There are 1888 town
county and city officials having juris.
diction over children. More than 90.
600 children come in one way or an.
other under the jurisdiction of the
poor law officials each year. The
powers and duties Of such officers are
not clearly defined.
I recommend the passage Of a per.
missive act authorizing the establish.
ment in each county of county board
Of child welfare, with clearly defined
powers and duties, having sole juris-
diction to deal with cases of de.
pendency. Naturally, there will be
transferred to such board, if estab.
llshed, the powers now exercised by
so-called child welfare boards having
jurisdiction over mothers allowances
Those two measures, If carefully
drawn, should be reasonably free from
controversy, and it appears to be prac.
ticable to enact them at this session
There are other obsolete or anoma-
lous provisions of our complex laws
relating to children so obviously need.
ing correction that there should be
little controversy over their remedy
and | rec Commend that the changes
plainly needed be made 1t this session
and that further revision be postponed
New-York tribune., 1922-01-05
Local Government Costing Too Much;
Proposes an Inquiry to Find Remedy

Although the direct state tax was re-
duced this year $12,8O2.81594, there
was in many counties little net rcduc-
tion in taxation and in some' counties
there were actual increases, the saving
effected by the state administration
being thus in whole or in part absorbe d
by the increased cost of local govern
ments. The great burden from direct
tax resting upon real estate results
municipal governments, and that cost
has been increasing at time when it
has been demonstrated to be practical
bic to reduce the cost of government
lhe demand for a change in methods of
local administration led to the adoption
of constitutional amendment at the
last election relating to only two coun.
ties in the state. 1t may be that the
need was greatest in those two coun-
ties because of developments incident
to their proximity to the City of New
York, but have no doubt that there is
some need, though possibly of varying
degree, IN every county in the state
recommend that provision be made for
an inquiry into the causes of the excess
sive cost of local governments and the
remedies therefor. The Joint committee
on taxation is we'll organized to con-
duct such an inquiry.
Local Legislation Affecting the CITY Of
New York
The New York Charter Commission
recently appointed by me is now en-
gagged in the work of revising the char
ter of the City of New York. I hope
that it will be able to report to the
present Legislature, in which case l
shall convene it in extraordinary ses-
sion. In view of that work recon-
mend that, except to provide for
emergencies, all proposed local legis-
lation affecting the City of Now York
be held for consideration together
with the report of the Charter Com
mission.
Election Law
Our election machinery Is unduly
cumbersome and expensive. A COM
mittce of the Legislature has been
studying the subject of simplification
and understand will be able to reLort
bill to the present Legislature. /
recommend it's serious consideration.
There are two matters in connection
with the election law to which | de-
sire specifically to call attention.
G) Women should be admitted to
equal participation with men in party
management and I am convinced that
the only practical way at present to
secure that result is to provide for the
selection of two members OF the po.
lltlcal committees from each district,
New-York tribune., 1922-01-05

Total estimated resources
exclusive of direct prop
cry .......... s119, $50 2n2 ~
If the appropriations can be kept
within approximately S125 100000 it
will only be necessary to levy a direct
lax OF sl2.lol ,S95.49 for debt service,
thus relieving real estate OF the burden
Of the direct tax OF $22 100000 for
teachers salaries. That result can be
obtained without impairing the eff
cheney Of any activity Of the state, pro-
7ided no new or unusual expenditures
sc undertaken, and If attained the pub
tic business will then be upon such q
basis as that it can reasonably be ex-
3ected that, under normal conditions,
The present sources of revenue. with
che direct tax for debt service will be
adequate to meet the expenses of the
government, and that the normal in
crease in such revenue will adequately
provide for the inevitable expansion in
the needs of the STATE government. 1t
IS not just to the taxpayers to accumu-
late an unnecessary surplus. and it is
sound policy to use the existing sur
plus to tide over the present period of
lean revenues. The total amount of
appropriations requested by each state
department will be transmitted as re-
quested without revision. The depart
mental studies made by the newly
created bureau set up by the Board Of
Estimate and Control were not COM
pleted in time to be available for a re-
vision Of the requests before submit
ting them to the Legisl lature. Indeed,
those studies are still incomplete. De-
tailed reports of examinations, with
the comments thereon by department
neads, are available for the informa-
ton of the Legislature.
The requests as compiled total S145,-
o19,665.Os, which is S56, ,627.35 less
Than the requests submitted last wear.
totaling $201 GA ,292 43, and not includ-
ing requirements which had to be met
Of $462l .545.61.
That comparison is the best evidence
of the new spirit which pervades the
public adm nstration and demonstrates
chat Notwithstanding the drastic re-
duction made last year the actual needs
Of the state were amply provided for.
A significant absence OF the usual re-
quests for deficiency appropriations for
administrative expenses will also be
noted. Depa rtmcnt heads and nstitu-
lions have administered their func-
tions within the appropriations, and
instead of asking for deficiencies many
will show surpluses at the end of the
year.
There are classes of expenditures
which it is difficult accurately to antici-
pate. such as judgments of the court
Of claims, indemnities for slaughtered
animals, assessments for local improve
ments and taxes on public lands and
The like. 1t has been the custom to
provide for such expenditures and for
deficiencies by supplemental bill of
appropriations Immediately available,
with the result that the Legislature
at each session for two
fiscal years, practice which results in
New-York tribune., 1922-01-05

power to sell real estate owned by
the state not within the forest pre-
serve and not devoted TO public use.
but it Is obvious that that power Is
inadequate to deal with the situation.
There appears to be no one whose duty
it is to see to it that business methods
are applied to The management of the
states property That property is now
dead asset, yielding nothing and
paying neither interest nor taxes. The
state might better mark off q complete
idle if there is any chance Of its be-
ing utilized. l recommend the adop-
tion of some simple procedure 10 have
the state owned property appraised
and sold with as little formality and
red tape as possible. also recon-
mend that the Comptroller be author
lied to accept transfers of title to
mortgaged property with the approval
Of the Land Board
Highways
During the last year 619 miles Of
new state highways have been con-
structed, as compared with 246 miles
last year; 202 miles reconstructed, as
compared with 50 miles last year, and
7,479 miles maintained, as compared
with 1853 miles last year. There are
395 miles of roads needing reconstruct
tion, and it will be necessary to con-
struct 2,257 miles of new roads to
complete the connected system of state
roads of 1880 miles adopted by the
Legislature last year. The bond moneys
cally exhausted this year. Unless a
referendum TO issue additional bonds
be submitted to the people, which
do not advise, it will be necessary to
complete the system from current
revenues. That will mean con-
siderable increase for number of
years in the appropriation for new
construction, as we'll as for main
tenance. That increase will have to
be met either from an increase in
revenues from some appropriate source
or by direct tax. That work has
been prosecuted during the last year
With unremitting vigor and there
should be no relaxation of effort to
complete the highway system of the
state. A completely improved system
of state. highways with the develop
ment of motor transport will help
and food distribution.
Canals
The state has expended $167,123 TIA
on its improved canal system and ter
minals. 1t must now make that great
investment render some commensurate
service. There is no other alternative,
and it unquestionably can be done.
The efficiency Of the canal and its
adaptabiity to modern transportation
methods have already been demonstrat-
ed. The limit upon the business done
this year, at time of great business
depression, was the number of availa
BILE carriers. The investment of capi-
tai in the construction of suitable types
of carriers must be encouraged. That
can be done first Of all by the settled
policy Of the state to maintain the
canal at the maximum of efficiency. A
channel seventy-fve feet wide with
depth of twelvesfeet of water has been
promised. The state has constructed
such channel. 1t is honorably bound
New-York tribune., 1922-01-05
Asks Relief From
BurdensOne Taxes
Cut Costs of State and Local Govern
ments, Aid Sick Veterans, Consol-
idate Departme nts, He Advises
Urges Children's Courts,
Control of Water Power

Fouowsng is the Governors message
," '""' ,ooo
-tI;nANh January a. 's@@'
10 the legislatures
The total state debt. both FUNDED and
4.r,or,rr On Jrr, or 100, ,,os Sof7
~e''to'"'' 0'' '~ ~ - " "''
IA o0O Will, s;nL;nc- rurGs of $40 o35-
2S7.s2, leaving net debt Of s1sS, ,548.-
flZ.3S. an increase for Nne year OF 9l9'-
iSS.1T02T. accounted for by the sale OF
s21 SoO mo : nor cont serial bonds for
s4 ,.o -
highway, canal anc forest preserve pur-
poses. maturing from 1922 to 1911, IN
.rs.re, 1850. ros.s,e o.o- a,,S ravorrs loans
lhe funded debt consists Oh the 1olio"-
ing:
anal bones. 10 o0o o0o ooo
r,lEh"sy nonHs 80, wv ooo 600
Pal!sade interstate Park bonds .'eoo' noe oOo oOo
r"rest preserve '"n n.,s-...., ''o0'V0N
SsIalosa springs NcsersSNo" 4oo ono
bonds. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. $3.50
.o---oo ooo
and the sinking fund resources are
New-York tribune., 1922-01-05

t'nue the building program under va.
at the other hospitals I think nv.
vision must be made for an addit;on.,
hospital in the metropolitan disty;,s
The state now owns site ar (ra's
moor suitable for such hospital. n,
proposal to construct a military -.
pital there to be leased to the FedorsS
government failed because Of the 20
fusai of Congress to authorize "a,
lease vi"
New-York tribune., 1922-01-05

Commission Of an expert alienist as
consultant to visit the hospitals, to
compare methods and to advise.
The increase in number Of patients
exclusive of paroles was ,337 this
year. as compared with an increase OF
only 202 last year. There must, there
fore, be no abatement in the construc-
tion program. Provision should be
made to continue the construction wor k
at Marcy and to open the buildings
there nearing completion, and to CON
New-York tribune., 1922-01-05
Demands Full Cooperation Of Officials
To Insure Success of State Surveys

However, such surveys, even of varying
standards of excellence, should be Of
the greatest service to the Legislature
in acting upon appropriations and to
department heads in inaugurating i'm
provements in methods of administra-
ton. Such work. however, will be of
little practical value unless proper use
is madT of the information thus dis
closed, Zpd the point needs to be en-
New-York tribune., 1922-01-05

In order to make this work effective
it Is essential that the most cordial
cooperation exist between those con-
cerned in it, and it is inevitable that
more or less friction will be engen-
dered by such work because some ex-
sminers will prove lacking in the judg-
ment and discretion expected and some
department abd bureau heads will not
relish an Inspection of their work
New-York tribune., 1922-01-05

That surplus Is s24.s67,4s2s In ex-
cess of the estimate made January 1,
1921, and is accounted for by an excess
Of actual receipts over estimated revc-
Nues Of Sl7.5S4.l6S04. and by the fact
that the actual expenditures and ad-
justmcnts for the year were S7.2S3,-
3l4.Sl less than was estimated for the
year. and sS,726.724.64 less than the
appropriations in force at the begin
ming of the year.
The estimated Treasury operations
for general purposes for the year end
ing June 80, 1922, are as follows:
ESTIMATED REVENUES
New-York tribune., 1922-01-05

The estimated resources of the state
available for the general budget for the
fiscal year ending June 80, 1923, ex
elusive of direct property tax are as
-ollowc.
New-York tribune., 1922-01-05

Total estimated resources
exclusive of direct prop
ery tax 81
New-York tribune., 1922-01-05

Fouo,e.ng is the Gove,mor's message