The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1909-06-24

Governor of Minnesota, .-....r
". st. Paul, MINI. ..,.. III. g. ~
Slr:-I have the honor to submit to
you herewith a report of the findings
Of an examination made by M. F.
Kahn, Assistant Public Examiner, of
the affairs of Beltrami County, Mime
sofa. -s-..s' -. ~.
The Examiner calls special attention
to the Inequalities in the assessment of
pine lands, which cause general dissat-
isfaction among the taxpayers of the
county. He cites cases where largo
tracts OF standing pine have escaped
taxation entirely. A remedy for this
evil is suggested as follows: .7-s
That the Tax Commission proceed to
make a re-assessment Of the county to
the end that the burden of taxation
Will fall equally upon all classes of
property and raise sufficient revenue
for the proper administration of the
county government. g, ...r
He cites three cases where approx
mately $4,000 in taxes are contested
because of the unequal and excessive
valuation placed upon the properties,
whereas similar properties are assessed
at a much lower figure. He suggests
that the Tax Commission make a re-
assessment of the county in the near
future, a recommendation that I
heartily endorse as a remedy for ex-
listing evils. o..
The examination discloses that John
Wilmann, county auditor, has failed to
keep the 'tax levy and record of sub
sequent collections as directed by this
department.; that he has failed to keep
the book Of county roads" provided
by section 1855 r. l.. 1905; that he
submitted a false statement of fees re-
ceived by him for 1908, contrary to
section 603 R. L. 1905; that he failed
to charge the expense of making au-
ditor's plats Nos. 1, 2 and 3 to the
property affected thereby; that he
failed to give bond as county auditor
until May 4, 1909, although he as
sumed Office on the first Monday in
January, 1909, (section 4S2 r. L. 1905
governing); that the postage account
of the auditor is excessive for the year
1908; that the tax lists show a great
number of acres of land, mostly COW
cred with pine, etc., have been
omitted from said lists, contrary to
section SO4, S75 R. l.. 1905, and Oh.
294 G.. L. 1909; that the Board Of
Audit fails to check the treasurer at
least three times a year, as provided
by section 499 R. L. 1905 and Oh. %
G. L. 1909; that the auditor fails to
submit proper estimates Of the eX-
penses Of the county government to
the County Board at the July meet
ings, upon which the tax levy is based,
fund, amounting in 1908, to. .........
$6,O25.55; that the requirements Of
section S04 r. L. 1905 were not OBJ
served by the auditor. This law re-
quires all assessment books to be ready
for delivery on the last Thursday Of
April; many of them were not deliv-
cred on May 18th, 1909.
It was found that the provisions Of
section SIS r. L. 1905 were violated
by the auditor, in that the tax sales Of
1906 for taxes of 1904 are the last
sales marked up on the current tax
books, thus defeating the notice re-
quired by law to be given to property
owners of tax sales, by stamping the
words sold for Taxes on the current
tax receipts; that the tax levy of the
City of Bemidji for the year 1907 was
Improperly extended by the auditor;
that section 4SS, r. L. 1905, requiring
a statement showing the amounts lev
led for various purposes for the cur
rent year, together with the actual
cash balance, if any, remaining to the
credit of each fund at the date Of
auditor, has been wholly disregarded
by the auditor.
The failure Of the ex-sheriff, Bailey,
to collect personal property taxes on
well known and financially respons-
ible firms is reported,-a violation of
SectlOn $40 II. L. l9O0,
Excessive road and bridge eXpendi-
lures for the years 1905, 1905, 1907
and 1908 are set forth, showing a vio-
lation of section STA, r. L. 1905.
A statement of the case of P. A.
Henderson, charging the ex-sherift
(Bailey) with the collection of per-
sonal tax and not accounting for the
same, is set forth at length.
The report shows that the financial
statement required by section 48S R. L.
1905, prepared by the auditor, has not
been published as required by law, and
that assets and liabilities were incOr
rectly shown; that the delinquent tax
lists of 1905, 1906, 1907 and 1905, pre-
pared by the auditor under section sos
r. L. '05, were inflated to the benefit
of the publishers and clerks of court.
The examiner calls attention to the
continued violation of section 433 r.
L. 1905 by the county board, which
fails to make examinations of the
treasury in January and July of each
year.
A list of illegal bills reported in
1906, 1907 and 1908 and not refunded
is shown in the report; also a list OF
illegal claims paid since the last ex-
animation.
The affidavit of Arthur Brose is
herewith submitted, wherein it is al
legged that he was employed by John
W1lIQdnu, equity duulIOI, lO1 SCSO1
months during. the year 1907; tina,
said Wilmann compelled him (Brose)
to pay him (Wilmann) the sum OF
$1,000 per month out of said salary fo1
the personal benefit and use of said
Wilmann, contrary to law.
In view of the fact that indictments
were, returned on March %, 1903
against Geo. Gunderson, Jos. Wagner
and, Yves Wright, for wilfully emitting
RI nav over TO the county of Beltram
money received by them as public Of.
icers, and against o. J. Shinn, ex.
county treasurer, for grand larceny ir
the second degree; that these mer
have not been tried on the indictments
up to this time; that on June 7, 1909
indictments were returned to the cour
against John Wilmann, county au
ditor, Yves Wright, A. w. Danaher
and F. o. Sibley, county commission
ers, and Geo. Gunderson,, ex-countS
commissioners, and that no bench war
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