Case Information
*1 OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF TEXAS
AUSTIN
qonorable Roy L.
County Attorney
Runnels County Rallingsr, Texas
8, 1940, submit- above captioned. stter from the Deputy anies your request, re of the inquiry. That fund8 which may be ex- -labor are lfmited hy law to onth, and as the State aver- ojecte approximates this figure which garments will be avail- destitute and the extent to ent may be given to women in ma will depend upon the cooperation of sponsors of sewing projects, ainae the responsibility of supplying the additional textilga will rest with them.
*Sponsors may purchase these textiles *2 Honorable Roy L. Hill, Rage 2
locally or they may secure them through the Rrouurement Division of the Treasury Depart- ment by sending the funds to the State Die- buralng mice. Details of prooeedure for purohaae through the Procurement Division will be sent to the Distriot Managers by the Din$slon of Frofessional and Service Fro- jects within the next few days."
Your Inquiry is ruled by our Opinion No. O-1972, which answered eaoh ob the following questions in the negative:
vQuestlon,No. one "Ras the Ccmmisaionere~ Court authority to purchase or rent sewing machines for use' In the WA sewlng room projeot?
*Question No. two VIaa the Commis-sionere' Uourt authcrlty ,- to purohase groceries or other eupplles to be used ror demonstration purposes in connection with the WPA housekeeping aid project?
"Question No. three
*Has the Commissioners' Court authority to f'urn- ish typewriters and a:.ding machines or to re- pair and maintain such machinae used in State or Federal reli,ef agsnciee? Aleo in this con- nection, does the Court have the authority to furnish to such agencies office supplies, suoh as paper, typewriter ribbons, desks, chairs, etc?
vQucstion No. four
Was the Commissioners Court authcrity to employ alerioal help ror the Texas and federal relief agencies nominated as searetar$es, stenographers, bookkeepere, etc.?
"Question No. five
What authority, If' any, has the Co!mni8edon- ers' Court to participate with county funds in the oonstruotion of a building to house Federal *3 Honorable Roy L. Hill, Page 3
and State relief agencies?
"Question No. six
-A local aharltabld organization operat- ing under the name of Mothers* Health Center has for its purpose education- and the dls- semination of contraceptive methods and sup- pliesto the Indigent mothers of this locality. Flas the Commissioners1 Court authority to par- ticipate with County funds in the carrying on of the sork of this organ zation?*
b CV~?f. While that opinion does not decide the ex- press question you propound, yet those actually decided necessarily deoide the present Inquiry in prinolple.
The opinion was based upon a oonstruction. or Article 3372e, Vernon!s Civil Annotated Statutes, in the light of the well-recognized rule that the County Commiesioners~ Court pO6fieSSSA only such powers law. The Article immedia- a8 are conferred upon it b B tely above referred to con era oertain specific powers with respect to projecta, such as that being ccnaidered, but It does not incl.ude the item~or pur- pose embraced in your inquiry and, therefore, by a familiar rule of construction the pcwer may not be en- larged by Implication.
Your question, therefore, should be answered in the negative in line with your etatemsnt that you had so advised the Ocunty Judge yourself.
Very:, truly yours ATTORNEY GENEPAL OF TEXAS BY ‘%oie Spew Aselstant OS-MR APPROVED MAY 10, 1940
Approved Opinion Committee /e/ Gerald C. Mann By B.W.B., Chairman ATTORNEY GEN3PAL OF TEXAS