Putnam patriot., 1927-01-14

ges had the utmost confidence in him.
 When John K Bissland was ap- pointed commissioner on the resigna- tion of Mir Sturges, he appointed Mir. Byrue his deputy and when Commis- sioner Bissland died few years later the governor appointed Deputy Byrne Co succeed him. Mir. Byrne has the implicit confidence of the banking in terests of the state, and this confidence is not disturbed by whatever differ enee may arise between the represent atives of the banks and Commissioner Byrne over the policies of his depart ment. Commissioner Byrne has a conscientious realization of the tre- mendous responsibility which Is plae- ed on his shoulders to protect the in terests of the general public and to safeguard depositors from loss by mismanagement of banks. It Is gen orally conceded that Connecticut k fortunate in having a bank commis- sioner of the ability and high charae- ter of Mir Byrne.
 Board of Control
 There is an opinion that the state board of control was mistaken when 1t decided. in the administration of Gov ernor Templeton, to abandon the poll cy. inaugurated by Governor Lake for open sessions ef the board After all the business which the board does al it's meetings Is part of the public business-an an important part. too and the public Is entitled te know about it. In sense the board of con tral is d continuation of the general .Al ta sa.FshsFafl sA4stss to surround its business with a de gree of secrecy that would be unthlnk- able in connection with the work of legislating for the state. Strictly speaking. it's functions supplement the enactment of laws. IL is given the sum of S300.000 to spend over a period of two years or during the interim be- tween sessions. The general assembly votes away money amounting to near ly S25. .000 .000 What would be said of proposition to have the general assembly vote away these millions in seeret2 The sanity of a person mak- ing such proposition would be doubted. but the board of control with its s300000 thinks t necessary to make its decisions behind closed doors.
 lt has not been shown. at least not publicly. that the public interest sui fered during the term of Governor Lake because he insisted that the board of control. over which he pre- sided in his capacity as governor. should meet in public with the doors of it's meeting room wide open. lt goes without saying that everyone has confidence in the wisdom and integrity of the board of control It's members are worthy the public confidence. but the public are entitled to know how their money k spent. and they should not be required to take lt for granted that the judgment which authorizes expenditures is always infallible. Gov ernor Lake set an example during the two years he was chief executive. in the realization of the benefit of pub hcity. which should have been followed bv successive boards of control. It is within reason that at times the inter ests of the people would not be well served by premature publicity of the proceedings of the board, but when such occasions arise the board could protect the public interests by resort ing to the parliamentary practice of executive sessions. Even the two houses of the legislature may find 1t necessary at times tO go into eXecu- tive session, and no one questions their right to do so. The board of control might very we'll ask itself if course which suifiees for the general assembly, which created the board, would not meet it's requirement. for occasional secrecy.