The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1902-05-20
COST OF
EXPERTING
WAS 1872
Experts Allowed SIS Each per
Day by Committee
New System Record Books Is
Recommended

The examination Of the Marion
county records, which has just been
completed by Messrs. Clarke and Bu-
chanan, has cost the taxpayers $S12,
the expert accountants having been
allowed So each per day Tor their ser
vices.
The matter of adjusting the compen-
sation to be paid Experts Clark and
Buchanan for their work on the Ma
rion county records was on Monday
referred to a committee consisting of
J. RI. Settlemier, Henry B. Thielsen
and JOS. II. Albert The committee
reported late last night, and recon-
mended the payment of the maxi
mum figure named in the contract, 50
per day. The committee makes GER
tain recommendation in the report,
which is as follows:
1--WE, your committee to whom has
been referred the matter of compensa-
ton to be allowed Messrs. Clarke and
Buchanan for the time actually devot-
ed to the work of exporting the books
and records of certain officials of Ma
rion county, beg to say that we have
examined the report and work of these
accountants, and believe the reason
able value of this work to be not less
than the maximum amount named in
the contract, and, do, therefore, fix
the amount of their compensation for
the time actually devoted to the work
at So per day for the 66 days spent by
Mr.. Clarke and for SO days devoted to
It by Mr. Buchanan, and 81 per day
for the 81 days for the work by J. w.
| Cochran.
"In compliance with your request of
| today that, in passing upon the com
pensation TO be allowed for this exam.
| lnation, we should state whether, In
| our opinion, any improvements can be
made I'm the system of keeping the
county records, and as to whether OF
not the work of exporting, just com
pleted has been beneficial to Marion
county, we would say that in oui
judgment a great improvement car
be made I'm the present methods, anC
would recommend that a modern, up
to-date system should be adopted, In
which the work and methods Of each
county official shall doye-tail into ant
complement the work and methods o
all the other officials, and in which
the reports of all the officials shall b,
concentrated in the office of the coun
ty clerk, thus making him the audi
tor of all the county accounts, and af
fording one place where the count!
court and the public can at all time
ascertain the condition of the county
finance.
"Of course the committee does no
wish I'm any manner to reflect upon tn,
present officials, who have simply fol
lowed the system, or lack Of system
in use by their predecessors. Grea
improvements have been made In lat,
years In the manner of keeping coun
ty records, and Marion county SHOULD
not be behind in the matter of adopt
ing the best.
Answering your second question
we consider that the work OF expert
ing the county books for the period o
time covered by this investigation, ha
been of much greater value TO the tax
payers of Marion county than the cos
of the exporting"
Report Aeeepted-5ill Paid.
The county commissioners cour
this morning received the experts rC
port, and audited the bill of Clarke an
Buchanan for SS72, less two small aC
vance payments, that sum being IN
aggregate amount of compensation du
under the terms Of the committee re,
concentrations above outlined.