Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-12-11
CONSIDER NAMES BALANCE
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Publicity and confidence will lead
to an understanding people, and they
will respond with an economic con-
seriousness equal to their present
political consciousness" In these
words w. B. Brockway concludes his
recommendations arrived at by a
study Of Names finances.
Most Of us are glad because Presi-
dent Coolidge has been SO successful
in revealing to the people the rela-
tionship Of cause and effect as ap-
piled to national expenditures and
taxes; because of the fearless and
very important service of one of
Names sons as director of the ma
tional budget. Some of us doubtless
recall what he, General Lord, told
the Governors conference last sum-
mcr.
Governor Brewster, as chairman of
the executive committee of the con-
ference, is convinced that the next
conference should take this subject
of retrenchment as its major theme.
lie sees that it is extremely desirable
that the people of Maine shall have
an understanding of these matters.
lie concluded it would aid in bring
ing this about If an analysis of the
No nd ,r,iY ,t
OF private business corporation
we're made. At the request of the
Governor and Council the Brown
Company loaned to the State the
services Of their chief accountant,
Mr.. Walter B. Brockway. In other
columns The Journal publishes his
report. Copies of this report may be
obtained of the State.
This report includes condensed
comparison between the years 1924
and 1915. If the reader is startled
by this he better commune with him
self, consider what part he has had in
causing the tremendous increase in
expenditure, the laws he has favored
that have entailed additional labor
and .workers-also salaries and ex-
penses of administration. One may
not so be led to conclude that he
would turn back, but he may not
avoid the seriousness of the question
whether he would go ahead on the
game or increased ratio of expense.
In that nine-year period Mr..
Brockway finds that our revenue
receipts increased 1890; our other
revenue 3644s; that while payments
for general expenses of department,
legislature, courts etc., have increas-
ed by $3.50, the cost of health and
sanitation has increased 1850;
highways 524e6, and the interest
charges the State is paying for
money borrowed have increased by
655Te.
No tables of figures have yet been
devised that will tell all the story
to the average reader. When he
reads Of an increase Of 249Ho in the
States permanent OUTLAWS he may
arrive at an altogether different i'm
preston than were he also told that
our permanent OUTLAWS in buildings
were needed to put them in suitable
condition. that they have been put in
such condition and are creditable to
the State. taken as a whole. Further
more the reader would do well to
consider the advantages he is deriv-
ing from better roads, which cannot
be had without increased expense,
but on account Of which 1t may be
possible to save in other ways not
shown In this table; that our high
way work has been carried on in a
systematic and businesslike manner
and as good II not better value re-
cefved for the dollars expended as
may anywhere be found. And hav-
Ing considered this he may take
away the impression that it is best to
go on and keep them open winter as
well as summer. and then again he
may not, after he has studied the ex-
pense and considered what is to be
had from such a policy. He may be
aided by further consideration of the
item Of interest, which the State is
paying for money with which to do
many Of these things, an increase of
$500 in interest charges over a
period of nine years.
We hope the public may be en-
couraged to look to their States
balance-sheet with the same interest
and understanding in which thew
would wish to look to the balance
sheet of any business in which thew
may be interested; that they NAV
lind the States figures as plain as
those OF any corporation. If Cover
nor Brewster's effort to bring This
about is successful he win have
rendered the state very important
VerNice.