The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-03-02
DELAY CALCULATED
TO EMBARRASS
R. C.DUNN
Late Start on Auditors
Books May Result in Legis-
latiye Adjournment With
out Report Uncertainty
Of Contents Could be Used
Against Princeton Man in
Race for Governor.

That factional politics have figured
and are still figuring in the official ex-
animation of the state auditors office
Which is to be conducted by the house
committee on public accounts, is claim
ed by some of the cleVerest men in the
Republican party.
The house, generally chatting under
the delay incident to getting the inves~
legations under way has for two weeks
been inclined to a belief that all is not
as 1t should be. That the house is
not greatly mistaken was quite concIu-
s1VeIy proved by the admission of d
member of the public accounts COM
mittee Friday. He said
All the causes for the delay, which
L think is entirely unnecessary, may
be found with the committee. There
has been much petty pulling and bick-
ering evidently for factional political
purposes. The investigation of the au-
ditor's office is now scheduled to COM
mence Monday 1t might have COM
menced three weeks ago. AS it is, 1t is
extremely doubtful if it will be COM
pleted until after the legislature adj
journs, as 1t is estimated that three
months will be consumed in the work.
Flay FOR Big Stakes.
II am inclined to believe there is
nothing wrong to be disclosed by an
investigation of the auditors office, but
II the report is not ready in less than
three months, the public will not know
its contents until the legislature again
meets and the political possibilities OF
such delay are easily recognizable"
The remarks Of the rather indig-
nant committeeman are in no sense to
be taken as a criticism of the whole
committee or its desire faithfully to dis
charge the duties imposed upon it.
Unfortunately, 1t seems that in divid-
ing the work of the committee, cir
cumstances have been kind to interest
ed parties and the natural differences
Of opinion about methods and employ
ment Of experts have made 1t easy for
one or two men to play horse with the
committee and the house.
Six Years Accounts Involved.
1t is generally understood that a
Minneapolis accountant, named John
Barry, has been employed to 1nvesti-
gate the auditors Office and that it is
his estimate which places the time
necessary for the completion of the
work at three months. One of the
best known accountants in the state
says it can be accomplished in a
month.
The Legislature of 1897 brought the
work down to the first of that year,
and while a complete scrutiny of the
intervening six years accounts involves
an immense amount of work, it is
claimed that with sufficient system
and energy, a report might be placed
in the hands of the legislature early
in April.
Plan to Down Dunn.
There are members Of the house COM
kind enough to think that some of the
administration employees and officers,
who are among the prime movers in
the organization to boom c.. A. Smith
for governor, have fingers in the un-
expected delay in getting at the au-
ditor's books. However that may be,
it does not require broad stretch of
the imagination to see where Robert
c. Dunn stands to get the short end
of the deal and Robert c. Dunn seems
to be the man the administration strik-
ers most fear. Mr.. Dunn Is extremely
anxious that the examination of his
office should be started and finished
while the legislature is in session. So
sure is he that his accounts are all
right that he is willing that the exam
nation shall be conducted under the
direction of his very warm friend, the
public examiner.
Capitol Audit Finished.
Accountant Hines, who has audited
the accounts of the capitol commits
sion, is said to be through with the
books. His report, which was expect
ed early this week, may be delayed an
other week or ten days, as it is now
stated that the committee wishes to
prosecute an investigation outside of
the books. 1t is generally believed
that as was at first expected, nothing
irregular has been found In the capitol
accounts. One Of the best evidences
in support of this belief is the fact
that none of the commissioners has
been summoned before the committee,
which is taken as proving no explana-
tiOnS have been needed