397 



couldn't stand or maintain any conviction under it unless by express 

 statutory enactment. 



Mr. Adams. — That may be true, but could they not fix money 

 penalities fof which they might sue under the powers of this act. 



Mr. Hessbbeg. — No, sir. 



Mr. Adams. — The power of this act in that respect is co-extensive 

 with the powers of a municipality. 



Mr. Hessberg. — I don't see how they can. 



Mr. Fiebo. — The simple language that they may enforce such regula- 

 tion by proper penalties would be all right, but that seems to be lacking. 



Mr. Adams. — Isn't it implied they have power to enforce those rules 

 and regulations within the year? 



Mr. Fieeo. — I should have to bow to the opinion of the Attorney- 

 General upon that; I am inclined to think he is right about that. 



Q. Mention has been made of the fact that cancellations were made 



by the Comptroller, and the attention of the Comptroller was called 



to that fact by the commission; what was the fact in regard to that, 



what action did the commission take as to being represented by coun- 



' sel before the Comptroller ? 



A. We took early action in regard to it; called the Comptroller's 

 attention to the matter and requested to be heard; to be informed of 

 every specific application that was made and to be heard upon it, and 

 wherever we seen an opportunity to resist a cancellation we have 

 done so. 



Q. "What has been the policy of the commission with regard to 

 acquiring lands as distinguished from the policy of the State 

 theretofore ? , 



A. Our policy has been invariably of acquiring all the land we 

 could and holding on to all we got; I think the Comptroller's policy 

 has been exactly the opposite, and even Mr. Sanger, I think, testifies 

 on this in this case, that prevails now, much to my surprise; he doesn't 

 speak in the past tense, he speaks in the present tense. 



Q. What did you find the policy when you came into office in refer- 

 ence to it? 



A. We found the policy of letting the land go prevailed in the 

 Comptroller's office as it had always done; the State government only 

 desiring to collect the taxes and to promote redemptions and cancel- 

 lations for that purpose. 



By Chairman Ryan: 

 Q. Wasn't it a fact that the Comptroller's office succeeded in 

 getting more land for the State for five years prior to the 



