The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1907-11-02
The State Auditor Report
Nate Roffs Last Words Were to Point Out the State Loss
Only HOO Saloons In Nevada Pay Fee to the State;
1900 to United States-Some of the Farmers
and Business Men In Washoe County
Pay No Taxes

TWhat proved 10 De ue aIn-D u f6Fdud5 HuIUOT' 20 10 UOH
plte in every detail, straight to the point and speaks in no uneer-
tain language of the state in which that faithful official found con-
ditions throughout Nevada
In speaking of the liquor licenses Nh. Rofs report in part
reads as follows: "In the first place I wish to speak on the collec-
ton of the State liquor license. BY comparison with the United
States Revenue officer l find that he has a record of a little more
than 1900 places where liquor is sold in the State. Every one of
these places should pay the retail State liquor license. While l
cannot give the absolute figures, 1 think that 1 can safely state that
there are less than HOO collected, a loss to the State from this
source alone of $4,000 per annum.'
The Auditor SAYS that in every county, probably with the ex-
ception of Nye, there violations of the liquor law a $ the result
Of persons selling it without a license. The most of this was done in
the redlight and dance hall districts and was a notorious fact. Also
that the gaming laws were "winked at and in several counties the
sheriHs and other officers were taken into partnership with the
gamblers and the license arranged" He ends the several pages
devoted to the moral welfare of the State with:
"f. IS IN expert, 1 doctor a set of accounts, forge a paper, or
check or do anything of this sort for my personal gain, contrary to
law, 1 go to Jail, but it seems that the element referred to may COM
NIT unlawful acts every day in the year, rob the State and countess
the schools, etc, and they are sports and good fellows and accord
ing to their claim, supporting the State and county government"
This is but one of many interesting conditions brought out by
Mr.. Rof. 1t also developed in his report that since taking office he
received only one months salary. He refused to draw money from
the State Treasury until he had proved to his own satisfaction
whether or not the position he had received was a sinecure, created
for his benefit, as his political enemies had charged, OF one that
would result in good to the State. The report proves that he per-
formed a great service for Nevada, both from a financial as well as a
moral point of view. Twelve hundred dollars is now in the State
Treasury to his credit. This money, together with sufficient to
meet the expenses he incurred in his Investigations will be paid to
his estate.
In his report Mr. Rolf points out one instance in White Pine
County where he has saved to the State taxes from property valued
at 100000. "Two days after I arrived at Ely" says the report Il
succeeded in bringing to light property valued 1T s4ooooo which
had not been placed on the assessment rolls
The report also deals with the banks. 1t states that the Ma
tional banks of Nevada have refused to pay a State license, while
the other banks take advantage Of acass clause, placing themselves
in the seventh class and paying a license of only So per quarter.
He recommends that this condition be remedied.
The Auditor asks the Attorney-General to investigate the send
ing of postals through the mail bearing the statement of taxes.
The postal authorities have notified several of the clerks that these
are "open duns" and warned them not to repeat the ofense again or
they would be liable to the law.
The report also gets after the railroads, citing that the Eureka
q Palisade, Nevada Central and Nevada Northern charged the maxi
mum rates and gave the poorest service: That al insufficient num-
Der of men were employed on the trains that the cars were filthy
and dangerous to health, and no depot facilities are provided. de
ended this reference with
Several provisions of law governing railroads within tho State
are in my judgment grossly violated, among which, is the shipment
of live stock, the length of time they are held in trains without food
or water. the irregularity of trains, as provided by their time cards,
the gross criminaln neglect of sanitation, accommodations and comforts
at the majority of depots in the State and in waiting rooms, for
/ women and children, who unlike men are compelled to sit in these
cold, cherries places for hours at the risk of health and life await
ing a delayed train, unable to secure correct information from an
agent. Men can go toa saloon where there S a fire, but a woman with
three or four little children cannot 60 to this haven OF refuge, but
must sit and SILVER in a ireless waiting room, and she and her charges
make the best OF it 81 took the pains to do some "hollering' my
self at several points, but having no authority little attention was
q paid, except sizing me up as a kicker
IF the Railroad Commission would incog get out and take the
trip that 1 did and travel as other ordinary persons r compelled
to, they would have an opportunity to observe some things thai
would give them rs much food for thought in the interest of womer
and children and poor humanity in general, as they now have III try
ing to solve the problems of long and short hauls, discrimination IL
!. rates and other intrieacies of the Syphus bill"
The report also says that in many places the county officials
have not compelled the mining companies to make a report or pay
bullion tax ID their output. White Pine County is cited as an
example.
In relation to Washoe County the report says that during the
d administration of District Attorney Craig and since that time GER
II tain farmers and business men have refused to pay taxes on prop
P erty. The taxes amount to thousands OF dollars and III 0 n the
books of the State as resources. The report urges that some action
be taken to strengthen the matter and have the account properly
g balanced on the State books. In this manner conditions In every
county in Nevada are taken up and discussed. Recommendations
are made where deemed necessary.
f In the matter of the bullion tax discussion in Southern Nevada
a faw months aoo the report states that Bullion Tax and License
j Collector Neven performed his duty well and was entirely blameless