Milford chronicle., 1931-07-03
The Taxpayers Research
League Suggests Munich
pal Government Changes
REPORT ON PROGRAM
Say Survey Now Under
Way May Be Basis For
Legislative Action

in the structure of the municipa
government of Wilmington ant
about so towns in Delaware, are
among the subjects recommended fol
study by the Taxpayers Research
League of Delaware, in report
Greater Delaware" issued by the
officers of the league.
Further study of the county gov
ernment of Delaware and methods oi
taxation by counties, of the fiscal
administration of the States budget
ing, accounting and administration
system and of the State welfare ad-
ministration are also urged for the
future program of the league.
The pamphlet Greater Delaware
is introduced with a foreword by
Charles Warner, president of the
league.
Speaking of the future program
for the league it is stated:
Keeping in mind that the prob
lens of government include Organi-
cation, personnel, and policy, and
that the many TamificatiOns of these
problems exist in State, county and
municipal government, it is appar-
ent that there is still a large field
for Government research in Della
ware, and that developing conditions
now unforeseen may change almost
from month to month the point at
which the emphasis of our work may
need to be placed. For the immed-
late future, however, there are some
fairly definite indications.
"The last legislature authorized
the Governor to have made a survey
of county government and taxation
which the League has offered to un-
dertake without cost to the State.
This survey, which Isl full of i'm
pOrtant possibilities involving a
large amount of work, may easily
become an outstanding development
in the State in preparation for the
next legislative session.
Further Study Required
"It has already been indicated
that such. of the States fiscal prob
lens as budgeting, accounting and
administration, on which consider
able progress has already been made
still require further study and de-
VelOpment. While this work is not
spectacular in any sense, it's under
lying Importance has been already
pointed out.
There is an important Opportun-
ity for further study of our welfare
institutions and agencies to supple
ment what has already been done in
this field. This supplementary work |
SHOULD include careful rechecking
Of our printed report to eliminate |
any errors that may exist and to |
keep the report abreast of changing |
conditions, in order that it may be |
valid as a basis for further action in
improving the welfare administra-
ton of the State. Coupled with this
is the need for consideration of whe-
ther the time will have arrived, two
years hence, to follow a step already
taken in several other States, name
ly the consolidation of public health
and public welfare activities in one
Reorganization of the States ad-
machinery is question
which Delaware must, sooner or la
ter, definitely face. 1t seems quite
possible that there may develop a
need for study of this problem with
in the next two years.
Exists
with knowledge of what is taxi
ing place for the improvement of
government in other cit
les, it seems inevitable that the con-
siderable sentiment already in eXis-
Lence will crystalline sooner or la
ter into a definite consideration of
changes that may be desirable in the
structure of Wilmington's govern
nent. This is vital problem direct .
" affecting approximately half the !
population of the State. It would
be very beneficial, if in the
near future, the league should un- \
lertake some preliminary study of =
his important and complicated ;
problem. Our work in Milford, and :
! general knowledge of conditions in /,
,ther incorporated cities and towns,
indicates that there is a growing de- y
ire for study of local government \
md taaxtion in the smaller munich :
Dalities of the State, approximately
%. in number. There is a surprising q
Iariety in the structure of govern n
nent in these municipalities which
5 not consistent with the general h
imilarity of conditions. Financial r
'olicies are often inadequate, bond a
d Indebtedness is generally high,
nd there are indications of consid- II
rable dissatisfaction with the bur- i,
en- of taxation. The amount of local
egislation requested every two fl
ears suggests that the time is rap G
lily approaching when the league, in n
friendly, cooperative way, may be
BILE to render valuable assistance to "
he smaller municipalities of the a
tate" il
Included in the pamphlet is par e,
al list of reports issued by the Tax
ayers Research League of Della Ell
are. The contribution of the league, al
trough study and recommendation, m
,r the handling of the administra- CT
We funds, financial statements, es- d,
Iblishment of uniform fiscal year,
of States bonded indebt- cl
lness, improved budget procedure, ol
.hool budget, welfare institutions, 81
'ilmington sinking fund, and SINH m
r matters, is contained in the first G.
Lrt of the pamphlet. W
T., t. III Co. 49, Il