The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-18
GE NERAL PROBE IF STATE r MANAGES IS WISH OF COVE RNOR
Brandon Replying to Ex-Gov. KiIby's Statement Puts Matter Up to Recess
 Committee
STATE CAPITAL BUREAU
 THE AGE-HERALD Montgomery, Ala, Feb. F


 Montgomery. Ala, Feb. IT
 Governor Brandon told former Governor Thomas E. Kilby in a let ter made public Saturday that if there is any controversy regarding the financial condition of the state it is between Governor Kilby and the state auditor, who furnished the in- formation which Governor Brandon submitted to the legislature.
 Governor Brandon further told Governor Kilby that a recess com mittee would make a general inquiry into the financial condition and needs of the state and he hoped this investigation would reveal the fact the state is in better condition than has been indicated.
 Refers to Auditors Report.
 Tn sending my message I made no criticism, but merely called attention to the auditors reports. which showed deficit instead of large balance,9 said Governor Brandon's letter. The auditor, being the fiscal officer of the state and being charged with keeping the books of the state, is the i proper person to give this informa tion. I wished the legislature to be advised IS to the real situation, and to this end they have appointed a committee to make an investigation. l trust they may find conditions bet ter than l think and that careful in- vestgation will reveal that we are not embarrassed for funds, which will relieve my anxiety and give us an opportunity to go forward, but We must get proper and correct in- Yentory before We can proceed in an intelligent way to appropriate money"
 Brandon's Letter.
 Governor Brandon's letter to for mer Governor kilby follows:
 My Dear Governor:
 T beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter which has already ap- peared in the public print. 1 have read same carefully.
 The controversy, it seems to me- would be with you and the state auditor and not with me The state auditor sent me his report as to the condition of the treasury on the day l assumed office. l felt that it was my duty to transmit this report to the legislature, which I did This report showed We were facing a deficit and from your letter I am still of the opinion that if all money were paid to the funds to which the law provides they should be paid and all outstanding warrants were paid on presentation, we would be forced to borrow money.
 Inasmueh as the rumor had gone abroad that we had a full treasury and this was calculated to encourage eXtravagant appropriations. con sidered 1t good business to find out before making appropriations exact ly where we stood. In this I think have been vindicated, because there seems to be difference of opinion and from your liter I learn that if there Is a balance in the treasury when all claims are met, it is IS much smaller than was reported when you retired.
 Recess Committee to Study.
 The legislature has appointed a recess committee to sit with ,he budget commission to investigate ni1 these things and I trust their find lngs Will relieve our fears and we Will be able to finance the state without extra tax burdens on onr people.
 In asking the legislature to ap- point this recess committee to sir with the budget commission I was put following your example. as shown by house Joint resolutions acts of 1919, page no, approved by you February IT, 1919.
 No controversy can change the | facts and the facts can be ascer tained by proper examination and in vestigatlon and my desire Is to get these facts in order that we may act fntelligently along business lines Views Are Different
 Tt is but natural that you and I should have different views as to | tho necessary and proper amount of taxation and the classes of property which should bear the burdens thereof as well as the mode of as sessment and collection of taxes, and of officing and handling the various departments of the state, and while we differ as to the mode and man ncr and means necessary to best sub serve and promote the public interest of the whole state I know of no reason why either of us should crit icise the motive or purpose of others. In my message to the legislature I was following the constitutional mandate which requires the governor from time to time to give to the legislature information of the state Of the government and to recom- mend Tor its consideration such measures as the governor may deem expedient,' and that at the com mencement of each regular session of the legislature to give informa- ton by written message of the con- dition of the state,
 o O o
 Goes to Auditors Report
 The most appropriate if not the only means at hand of establish ing accurate information as to the condition of the state so far as it's finances, assets and liabilities are concerned are from the information to be furnished by the state auditor.
 Tt is true that during your ad- ministration the physical properties of the state were greatly improved, for instance. the building of Kilby prison and the improved conditions at Wetumpka and Speigner.
 You must know that when I came into office the greater portion of the ad valorem and license taxes had been collected for the current year and from these collections many warrants were issued to pay the claims mentioned in your letter war. rants being issued payable out of revenue from October l. 1922, reve- nues chargeable to this administra- tion,
 Made No Criticism
 In sending my message I made no criticism but merely called attention to the auditors report which clearly showed a deficit instead of a large