Milford chronicle., 1930-02-14

ltyT-OI WQeLQeT Lu6 SIdISS dIS III
terfering in local affairs" or the 10
cal governments are being depriv-
ed of their sovereignty" gradually
are being lost sight of in the com
mon approach to common job that
needs to be done.
The seriousness of local taxation
problems justifies drastic methods
for their correction. 1 suggest, by
way of remedy, that local govern
ments be placed upon hard-bolled
business basis and that modern bus
mess principles be applied to their
conduct. I propose to outline a few
propositions which, if enacted into
law and carried vigorously into ac-
tual administration, would contrl-
butte substantially toward solving
these vexatious problems.
Local Budget Law Under State
Control
First: A local budget law WIN
state control. Our federal budget
law was enacted in 1921. Under 1t
the annual cost of the federal gov
ernment was reduced two billion
dollars from 1921 to 1928. Since its
adoption the public debt has Deen
reduced from twenty-four billions 10
seventeen billions and in the course
of it's operation there have been re-
neated reductions of income taxes
Quoting the greatest budget director
ever known. General Herbert M.
Lord. former director of the nation
al budget: "If the taxpayers inter-
ests demanded a federal budget sys-
TEN, surely their interests would
seem likewise to demand that bud
get principles and budget efficiency
also be applied to the fiscal affairs
of their state, county and mun1clpaI
governments. To this end your AS
sociation can WELD a powerful IN
fiuence for the public good and
hone great success may attend your
efforts in this direction"
Control of local budgets by some
competent and experienced central
body is necessary to secure uniform
ity in form, compliance with law
and economy in administration. IL
the plan for outright state control
and supervision of all local budgets
is deemed too drastic and revolu-
tionary, much can be accomplished
by adopting one Of the plans deVe!-
oped by several states, that IS, ell
ther the checking of local budgets
by a competent state official, the
supervision of local appropriations
for debt service to insure their ade-
uuacy, or even the state review OF
local budgets by a central board
upon petition of local taxpayers.
State Control Of Local Bond Issues
Second: State control of local
bond issues and state administration
of local interest and sinking funds.
During recent years many local i'm
provements have been financed by
Iong-term bond issues. Many issues
are for terms longer than the life Of
the improvements and frequently for
amounts in excess of actual needs.
Local ambition to outdo neighboring
communities in the splendor and
magnificence of public buildings and
should not override
prudent judgment Of what consti-
tutes an economical expenditure.
The administration of local bond
interest and sinking funds is a qUes- /
ton Of great Importance. The man
ner in which such funds are admin
istered is reflected in the market
value of the bonds. Frequently it Oc-
ours that local governments, to
avoid tax increases, do not provide
sufficient funds for interest and re-
1emption charges or use funds pre-
viously appropriated for emergency
Consolidation of Local Units
Third: Consolidation under one
head, wherever practical,
If local units of government. Con-
;olidation Of number of govern
mental units under one competent
lead makes possible greater econo-
ny and efficiency in administration.
There is a decided trend in modern
business in this direction. Automo-
,ile manufacturers, banks and chain
stores are notable examples of con-
in recent years.
Our governments are over-man-
led. Statistics show that one person
,ut of every ten who work is on the
,ayroll of some agency of govern
nent-national, state and local.
through administrative reorganiza-
ion and establishment of improved
ersonnel systems, this can and
hould be reduced at least twenty
We per cent, thereby decreasing
osts of administration at least one
1urth. This could be accomplished
-ithout crippling efficiency; it sim
ly is a matter of getting away from
le practice of paying political debts
nd obligations out of the public
Qualifications for Public Office
Fourth: To require all persons
spring to public offices which re-
lire technical knowledge or spe- ! !
al training to pass examinations to
their ability and quail :
cations to perform the duties of q
70 positions sought. There is moth
g new in this principle. Our doc \
rs, lawyers, teachers, nurses, dem Pl
sts and other professional persons
e required to pass rigid examina-
Ins to demonstrate their ability
lrther extension of this principle
the holding of public Offices
lich require experience or techni-
j proficiency would be a helpful