Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-06-21
PURCHASING AGENT
ADVISED FOR STATE
IN States REPORT


of more efficient methods of han
ding the states finances, that is, of
disbursements, purchase of supplies
for all departments and institutions,
and the method making appropria-
tons, the state auditing department
has submitted its first annual report
to Governor Walker. The report, pre-
scented by S. J. Slate, state auditor,
embraces q wide range of subjects
and it's recommendation are based
on a study OF conditions as found
by the auditors in their Investigations
since the establishment of the de-
partment at the last session of the
legislature.
Mr. Slate recommends that the au-
diting department be charged with
the issuance Of state warrants, de-
claring that unless this is done, the
auditor will be unable to prepare for
the payment of large appropriations
The appointment of a purchasing
agent is also recommended, it being
declared that the state could save
upward of $4,000 annually by pur-
chasing it's supplies through one
agency. This system would entail
the standardization Of various sup
plies for the several departments and
institutions.
Special Funds Advised
All money collected for the state
should be paid into the treasury at
frequent intervals, says the report,
and special funds should be made
out OF all fees, licenses or taxes. al
located for special purposes.
The auditor emphasizes the need
for the legislature to realize that it
is not only the custodian of the
states money, but is charged with
the duty Of maintaining the states
credit, and should impress upon the
various departments and institutions
the necessity Of living within the
available income.
Self insurance for every inStitu-
ton owned by the state is recon-
mended by Mr.. Slate, who points
out that this system is used to ad-
vantage by many states. Under the
self insurance plant, the state sets
aside each year the amount of money
it would pay in insurance premiums
re-investing the fund from year to
year and paying out of it all losses
sustained by fire. He calls atten-
ton to the fact that within the next
between $780, 900 and $125 900 in fire
insurance premiums. This sum, re-
invested from year to year. would
be ample to sustain the self insur-
ance plan, he declares
School Warrants
Change in the system of handling
school warrants also Is recommend
warrants amounting to approximate
Iy 100000 annually are discount
ed far in advance. 1t is proposed that
the governor be empowered to issue
short term notes for $4,000, 900 and
that his borrowing power be in
creased to that amount. Then the
public schools could be paid from
month to month as is done with the
other state institutions.
1t is also recommended that the
governor and treasurer should have
the power to use whatever funds
may be in the treasury TO meet ex-
penses, whether or not those funds
are specially aIlocated.
1T is bad policy for the state to
have possibly million dollars in
the treasury allocated for certain
purposes ana Lnen IOf the SldLe W
have to borrow 100000 and pay in
terest on the same" says the re.
port.
Maintenance of public buildings,
and particularly maintenance of the
state capitol, which is falling badly
into disrepair, constitutes one of the
important communications Of the
report, which also urges the legisla
ture to provide additional facilities
for the auditing department.