Untitled Texas Attorney General Opinion

. _.%_.._ R-82 Feb. 26, 1947 Hon. L, A. Woods Opinion No. V-50 State Superintendent of Public Instruction Re: Authority to pay the trav- Austin, Texas cling expenses of Dr. Archie Jones, a professor at the University of Texas, from the contingent expenses pro- vided for the expense of the Texas School of the Air, for making recorded lessons to be used in the public schools. Dear Sir: Your request for an opinion upon the above titled subject is as follows: “‘Item 40 of the appropriation bill of the State De- partment of Education for tie bi,ennium 1945-1947 pro- vides for centingent expenses for ta+ Texas Scheol of the Air, recorded lessons, maintenance,. printing, and office expense in the amount of $12,500.00. In the preparation of the recorded lessens which are broad- cast over the Texas School of the Air it is necessary for persons to travel to the places where these rec- ords are made. The cost of this travel of persons participating in the creation of these records is con- sidered part of the cost of making the records. The TeXas School of the Air is a cooperative responsibility of the Texas University, A & M. College, North Texas Stats Teachers College, and the Texas State College for Women - each institution originating one or more of the series of programs which constitute the Texas School of the Air, whose direction vested in the State Department of Education. The University of Texas ori inates two of these programs - one is MUSIC IS YO 8 RS. In the production of the latter series of radio broadcasts, Dr. Archie Jones, Professor of Music of the University of Texas, is master of ceremonies. The series at the present time is broadcasting musi- cal efforts of a Capella choirs, orchestras, bands, etc. from the various public colleges and high schools of the State. Hon. L. A. Woods - Page 2 Opinion No. V-50 “It is necessary for Dr. Jones to travel to these institutions to participate and produce records that are broadcast as a part of the Texas School of the Air that is directed into the classrooms of the Texas Public Schools. “The above explanation is given to show that the travel expense of Dr. Archie Jones is a neces- sary cost in the production of these musical radio programs. The Comptroller has so recoglniaed this as a legitimate cost until your Department ruled to the contrary in an opinion given to some other De- partment of Government within the State. “Question: Can the traveling expenses of Dr. Archie Jones be paid frbm the contingent expenses provided for the expense of the Texas School of the Air for making recorded lessons, as it is neces- sary for him to be present at the time that the rec- ords are made 7 ” Item 40 of the appropriation for the State Department of Education for the current biennium ie aa follows: “Contingent expense fo,r the Texas School of the Air, recorded lesrons, maintenance, prtiting, and office expense, $12,500.00.” It is our opinion thrt this item constitutes a sufficient specific appropriation within the meanin of the Constitution, to authorize the travel expense of Dr. Archie Jones, under the facts stated by you. The express appropriation for *recorded lessons, maintenance for Texas School of the Air,” includes by necessary implication the further necessary expense of making such record- ed lessons. It is a familiar saying in the law that what is neces- sarily implied in a writing is as much a part of the instrument as though it had been literally expressed. This case is easily distinguishable from our Opinion V-05, in respect to the sufficiency of the specific appropriation to authorize payment. SUMMARY (1) The travel expenses of one necesrarily re- quired in makin records for the Texas School of the Air, may lawfully be paid from Item 40, of the cur- rent biennium appropriation, for the Department of Education. Hon. L. A. Woods - Page 3 Opinion No. V-50 (2) “Contingent expenre for the Texas School of the Air, recorded lersons, maintenance.......... $12,500.00,” is sufficient as a specific appropria- tion. Yom-3 truly, / ATTORNEYGENERALOFTEXAS L&s&& Ocie S eer OS:lc m:a l Assistant APPROVED FEB 25 1947 AT