The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1904-02-20

the works with view to ascertainir1p whether
operations had been conducted along the lines of
tne original plans, whether work had been pro-
perry done, whether classifcations had been ac
eurateiy made; and to generally inquire into and
report upon the engineering and financial affairs
q tne District with a view to explaining why the
actual cost OF work exceeded the original esti-
mates. At this meeting, the undersigned were
appointed committee to cooperate with the en-
gineers, and, In measure, direct the inquiry a.
long lines which would secure complete ex-
animation OF, and an exhaustive report upon. ali
features Of the affairs of the District necessary to
thorough and correct understanding of the en-
tire situation
While we are aware that this committee was
not authorized by the Board of Directors. and
does not officially represent the District yet it
was the expressed desire of the mass meeting that
our report should be made to the board; and as
the purpose OF the meeting was to cause such in
curry as would bring to light the true facts wheth-
er they verified the suspicious and doubts in the
minds OF people or put them completely at rest,
we think that our report may properly be made
to the board, and become part of the official re-
cords of the District
On Monday the 9Th, we accompanied,
Messrs Wiley and Hedden, and remained
with them during the whole of the time
devoted to an inspection of the Phyllis and Cald-
well canals, and unhestatingly report that the ex-
animation, which was conducted by Mr.. Wiley,
was careful and thorough. And it is proper to
say that he was always most courteous and pains
taking in carefully explaining to US every phase
OF the examination. Therefore, we need only
say that we are we'll satisfied with the report he
has made, both as to its scope and accuracy. He
has covered every point of Inquiry and arrived at
conclusions which we can conscientiously endorse
and we earnestly recommend his report to the
consideration of the people of the District
Strictly speaking, our duties ended with the
investigation made by Mr. Wiley, but in view of
the fact that other important features of
the affairs of the District were brought to
Our attention in the progress of the investiga-
tlon' we determined to enter upon an inquiry that
was not at first contemplated and in measure
independent of the lines pursued by Mr.. Wiley.
To this end we made an examination of the en-
tire financial records of the District carefully
checking off all accounts item by item This en-
abled us to determined definitely for what pur-
pose every dollar of money had been expended.
We subsequently compared the principal items of
account, such as amounts paid to contractors,
amounts paid tor material etc, with the original
bills on file, and found, with the exception of
some slight clerical errors, perfect agreement be-
tween accounts and claims; and, finally, by care
tui comparisons found that the detailed items
correspondent aggregate amount with the annual
statement published by the Board of Directors.
This examination warrants us in reporting that
the financial affairs of the District are in salts
factory condition. Our attention was directed to
certain purchases of material, and we have care
fully inquired into the facts surrounding these
matters. 1t appears that account of unavoid-
able delay in placing the last block of bonds,
which was done Oct. 5th, the time for completion
of the canals was limited and the necessity for
rushing work was most pressing. The engineer
had made estimates of lumber and other material
needed, but these had miscarried in transit from
the field, and, in any event. to withhold purchase
of necessary material until bids could be adver-
tised for and contracts awarded, would have
caused serious and expensive delay, so the mater
ial Immediately need had to be purchased in the
open market Examination of the lumber bills
on file in the Office of the Board of Directors in
dictate practically uniform market prices at all
available points of purchase, particularly Cald-
well and Nampa and this market price is the
price paid by the District. If time had permitted
the invitation of competing bids, by advertising
for proposals, it is probable that some saving
could have been secured to the District, but when
the cost of advertising and drawing up of legal
contracts is calculated, the saving, the amount
0f r1rrh bv
with actual prices paid where competitive bids