The Monmouth inquirer., 1925-04-16
Simpson Calculates That Same
Ratio Will Make Payroll 27
Million in 1923.
QUIZ IN GENERATION
AIienist Says Most Insane Are Cur
able-Dr. H. a. Cotton Says
So Per Cent Of Demented
Can Be RehabiIitated.

states payroll had increased from
So, 200, 900 to 49, 500, 900 during the
past three years will be followed by
detailed explanations Of the reason,
if plans of the special legislative com
mittee to investigate state expendi-
lures are carried out. What inform
tion was brought out came from a
single official. Secretary Charles p.
Messick of the Civil Service Com
mission.
The commission had organized by
selecting President William H.
Bright of the Senate as chairman
and Speaker Clifford r. Powell as
secretary, and the questioning was of
a general and informal character.
Senator Simpson of Hudson, the only
Democrat permitted on the commit
tee. took a considerable part in elicit
ing some of the data.
First Quiz in Generation
The opening session was devoted
largely to laying the groundwork for
the survey, the first of it's kind un
dertaken in New Jersey since the
memorable Senate investigation in
1895 which brought to light abuses
which had grown up during previous
years. That investigation practically
/ placed the Republican party in UNI
disputed control of New Jersey for a
period of fifteen years, broken first
by the election of a Democratic AS
sembly in 1907 and by the election of
n.1.s1o~A VTYf11oA Hovo-~A~ ~
1910.
In it's political aspect the present
survey differs from the investigation
a generation ago in that it is not diA
rected against a particular party. but
rather to bring to light conditions
which have grown up during the
years. AS stated by President
Bright, the purpose of the committee
is to tighten the burden of taxation
and to halt. if possible. the enormous
increases in state expenditures which
have marked the past decade or
more.
Data From Civil Service
The session was devoted entirely
to the examination of Mr.. Messick to
e~nlighten the committee as to the
functions of the Civil Service Com
mission, its powers in connection
with state expenditures and the rela-
tions existing between the various
state departments.
When the information about the in
crease of salaries was brought out.
Senator Simpson suggested that if
this ratio of increase should be main
tanned New Jersey would be con
fronted by a payroll of $27, 900 900 in
the classified service alone by 1928.
Mr.. Messick. admitting the mathe-
NAUTICAL accuracy of the deduction,
said the picture drawn by Mr., Simp-
son would be impossible. as it would
place the states expenditures far be-
yond it's income. He said the maxi
mum apparently had been reached or
something will happen. Simpson said
something would surely happen to the
state IL the increase continued.
Enormous Increases
Enormous increases of the last few
years. Mr.. Messick stated. was due
mainly to the expansion of the state
activities along manv lines. For ex-
ample, he said the present payroll of
she State Highway Commission has
increased from about 400 persons t.
Approximately 1900. The State De-
partment of Institutions and Agencies
has shown a similar large increase.
and multiplication of state commits
sions, boards and department. have
also contributed t the total.
In discussing the control exercised
by the Civil Service Commission, M,
Messick said its functions are limited
by the statute creating it. The com
mission has no power to limit the
number of employees in a department
or to determine how much work they
shall turn out. Such functions are
purely within the 3urview Of the vari-
Gus departments.
The commissions work covers the
fixing OF the rating of state employees
other than those included in statutes
and determines the titles of the posi-
tons they hold.
Dual Salarfes
Though he knew Of some instances
In which officers or employees re-
ceived dual salaries, Mr.. Messick
thought the number was not large.
He believed none could be saved the
state by cutting down Implications
and dual salaries, but not a great deal
Of money.
No large deductions could be made,
Mr.. Messick said, without curtaiiing
important state activities
Senator Simpson inquired II the
Civil Service Commission had checked
up on the state employees drawing
substantial salaries from the state and
also acting as receivers for corpora
tons in the Court Of Chancery.
Something Rotten. Says Simpson
A letter from Mr.. Messick was next
taken 10 by Senator Simpson.
nYou admit there is something rot
ten in Denmark" said Simpson. I'VE
are attempting to correct that situa-
don"