New Britain herald., 1925-01-21

ment whose constant contact with the states several activities makes 1t competent judge of mainte- nance requirements under existing statutes You may deem 1t wise to request your appropriations com mittee to report the budget of maintenance appropriations not later than the first day of March and to submit supplementary budget at the close of the session to conform to any changes that shall have been made subsequently, in statutory requirements or i'll tho needs of any branch of the state government, whether occasloned by provisions for increased population at state institutions or by extended activities of state departments.
 Capital Investments.
 Early disposal of the maintenance appropriations by acceptance of the recommendation of the board of finance, which have been deter mined upon scientific basis after full investigation of each item, would tend greatly 10 expedite your work. It would relieve your appropriations committee of the burden of public hearings going over ground already covered by the board of finance, at a time when 1t could be making an early and advantageous start in the consideration Of appropriations re- quested for new construction, equip ment, acquisition and projects, many of them of controversial na- ture, and concerning none of which it has been the policy of the board of finance 10 make recommenda- tions.
 Owing to the custom, or formal ity, under which the appropriations committee has retraced the steps of the board of finance in the matter of maintenance requests, the experi- enCe of recent sessions has been that consideration of important proposals for capital investments has been delayed until late in the session, when the time of the general as- selnhly has been too limited 10 give these matters the attention they de- serve. II is well 10 bear in mind that q hasty decision to establish or enlarge a state institution affects not only the immediate capital invest" ment. which may he of doubtful value but virtually commits the state to a permanent substantial in- crease In maintenance arpropria- lions which might be spent 10 greater advantage had more fla vorable site been selected in the first place. Connecticut already has examples Of this kind hv which it may profit in its policy for the fu- ture.
 Tho general assembly is. of course. responsible for it's own rules Of procedure and the plan I have outlined is largely T matter of legis- lative procedure. but in view of the direct influence which it has upon the financial aspect of this adminis- ration, ask your indulgence to bring Il to your attention.
 State Office Building.
 The time has come to give earnest consideration to the need for q state office building. Owing 10 the rapid growth of the states business the capitol has become inadequate to accommodate the departments necessary to be located al the seat of the government and temporary | quarters established in nearby build ings are being outgroWn. II is scarcely q credit to Connecticut to have it's contra administrative offices distributed throughout nine different buildings, nor is it desirable 10 con- tinue the practice of issuing motor vehicle registrations in the capitol, resulting as it docs in perlodical congestion of practically the entire building, condition which grows increasingly objectionable as the number of reglstrants continues to advance. Considering the time re-  Quired for the construction of an administration building, in relation 10 the rate at which the business of state departments is expanding it appears advisable to take definite action without delay,
 | I recommend that 3 commission be raised at this session to make a survey of the accommodations now available for the use of statG departments at Hartford and theil probable period of usefulness, and
 if it deems the erection of a state
 office building necessary, to select z site, obtain plans specifications ant
 THE DNT'TEDC