New-York tribune., 1922-10-12
Tanmany Extravaganza

disnAlaily GAAddVdSdlASE
The test Of q state government is
not only what it spends but how
it spends. By juggling Of figures
Ex-Governor Smith is attempting to
show that the economy claims of the
Miller administration are ground
less. Not only does he fail in this
effort, but he craftily ignores the
fact that during the Miller adminis-
tration at Albany the people of the
state got value received for their
money, while during the Smith ad-
ministration they did not.
Governor Smith began his admin
istration in true Tammany style. In
the second year of his term appro-
priations increased 100000 and
reached the high-water mark of
s145,000,000, the highest sum ever
appropriated in the history Of the
state.
Of this sum, $54, ,000, 900 was taken
out of the pockets Of the people in
new taxes, among these being the per-
sonal income tax, which was imposed
during the Smith administration.
In the first year of the Miller adj
ministration s23,500,000 less was
taken from the peoples pockets than
had been taken the year before. And
while making this reduction in state
expenses the Miller administration
made $22,0o0,o00 more appropria-
ton for teachers salaries than did
Governor Smith, increased the Smith
appropriation for the New York We
hicular tunnel by $8,5oO,0Oo, bet
tered Smiths appropriation for
canal purposes by more than $6,000,-
oOo and spent more money than did
Smith upon many other necessary
state improvements, including high
ways, water power conservation and
improvements in New York Harbor.
In short, Governor Miller spent
money for the benefit of the people
OF the state-spentSf far more money
than did Governor Smith for the
same purpose--and at the same time
kept the expenses of the state lower
than Smith kept them by more than
S23,0oo,0oO!
MIR. Smith accompanies his charges
by not accounting for his own stew
ardship. Where the money appro-
prlated by his administration went
he explains only by generalities. 1t
is known, however, that the pay rolls
grew enormously while he was in
office, that any department that
asked an increased appropriation
could get it, and that Mr.. Smith
himself publicly declared, as he has
lately asserted in his speeches, that
the only way the state could be put
on business basis was through con-
stitutional amendment.
No constitutional amendment was
enacted. Yet, as the result of two
years of Governor Miller's admins.
tration:
Appropriations were reduced from
$l45,21 219,906.60 in Smiths last term
to $135,752,278.65 in 1921 and to
$18S,l47 ,so7.34 in the following wear
Ia saving in the two years of s21.-
$50. .T27.10.
A reduction in direct state taxes
totaling $27,79S, ,Ss9.25 was made in
these two years.
A reduction for personal service
amounting to s3,735,57o.ee was
made in the same period.
AND this with steady and not.
able Improvement of everv depart.
ment of the public service. and ex.
tfemely large sums spent ON i'm.
portant and necessary public work
Two more years of Miller will pu,
the states machinery on a sound
efficient and economical business
basis. Two more years Of Smith
would restore the old Tammany svs.
tenn OF extravaganza and inefficiency
which Tammany has maintained
whenever and wherever it has con.
frolIad ,,,,bl;n . nSSs