The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1923-10-11
ARMSTRONG CHARGES
STATE AUDIT LAXITY
Promises Reform OF Accounting
Methods If He Is Elected.

LaXity of the Richie administra-
ton was criticized by Alexander Arm
strong, Republican Guberratorial can
diGate, in an address at Frederick
Saturday night.
Mr.. Armstrong cited the results of
the investigation of the grand jury
in Baltimore last August which, he
said, disclosed the fact that the books
Of the various State departments and
State aided institutions had not been
audited for the periods of from two
to three years.
"The State Of Maryland should en-
JOY the benefit of the best business
methods" the candidate asserted.
eve need more business in govern
ment on a footing comparable for
efficiency with the best-managed bust
hess organization in the land.
"In fact" he concluded, Il believe
that in the business side Of the gov
ernment the State OF Maryland should
be regarded by its public officials at
the greatest corporation within its
boundaries"
Mr. Armstrong said the grand jury
investigation revealed that:
Millions of dollars have passed
through State departments without
check during the time mentioned.
Approximately S5,292,81421 has
been handled during said period by
the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles
office alone.
Books of % Registers of Wills and
County Clerks are back in their aud
its.
A recently completed audit Of the
books of the Public Service Commits
sion disclosed that there had been no
audit for two years prior to January
1, 1928, despite a Maryland statute
making semi-annual audits of this
commission obligatory. Other depart
ments not audited for a number Of
years prior to January /, 1923 but
audit of which now has been fnished,)
are the State Insurance Commission
er's office, not audited for 1919, 1921
and 1922; the Adjutant-GeneraPs Of
flee, not audited for 1920, 1921 and
1922; Board Of Examining Notion
Picture Machine Operators, for 1921
and 1922, and the State Conservation
Commission, for 1920, 1921 and 1922.
Mr.. Armstrong continued:
Il can see no valid reason why in
efficiency in Government should be toll
Grated to a greater degree than in
private business.
"Most of you We're familiar with
the startling disclosure concerning the
failure to audit the accounts Of State
departments | have just cited.
"Where is the corporation or in
dustry that would allow it's accounts
to remain unaudited for two years,
or where is the individual who would
go along for that length Of time with
out looking back over his financial rec
ords to check up on what he has
earned and spent with a view of bring
ing about personal economies?
"In the face of this, situation, how
ever, the Democratic party in its
platform passes lightly over the mat
ter in the following manner:
If experience during the pres
ent years shows that the State
Auditors office is still not suffi-
cient to make such annual audits
(of every State department and
institution handling State funds)
then we promise such additional
legislation as may be necessary
to accomplish that purpose.
There can be no question that eX-
perience has proved that marked in
efficiency in the department exists,
so why should it be necessary to
qualify the determination to remedy
such a condition."