The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-01-24
GUNDERSON WANTS
UNIFORM ACCOUNTS

Bismarck, N. D., Jan. 2s.-Probsbly
one OF the most important bills to be
offered for the consideration of the
Legislature this year, is Senator Gun
derson's idea ON legislative commit
tee on uniform methods for public &C
counts, introduced last week. The bill
WIN receive serious consideration at an
early date
It's provisions are strict and in keep
ing with the spirit Of investigation
which predominates the twelfth as
sennbly. Many regard the measure
fayorably and feel that its adoption is
the only means by which future ir-
Irregularities in public offices can be
avoided.
The bill in full follows;
Sec. /. Selection and Term of Com
mittee. A committee to be known as
the Committee on Uniform Methods
for Public Accounts, is hereby created,
TO carry out the purposes and enforce
the provisions Of this act. Said COM
mfttee shall consist Of four members,
two of whom shall be elected by the
senate from among it's members, and
two shall be selected by the house of
representatives from among it's mem
bers, and the persons so selected shall
go serve continuous until the adjourn
ment of the thirteenth legislative as
sembly.
In the event OF the death or resigna-
| tion of a member of the committee a
successor shall Immediately be selected
! by the presiding off1cer of the body by
which the retiring member was
selected
Sec. 2. Organization. The persons
! appointed as members Of the commit
tee shall meet and organize within fif-
teen (15) days from and after their
selection. A majority of the commit
tee shall constitute quorum. They
shall select from their members a
chairman. vice chairman and a secre-
tary.
In the absence Of the secretary. the
members present may appoint a secre-
tary pro tenn.
The committee may select an assist
ant secretary who shall perform cleri-
cal or other services as may be re-
quired.
The committee shall keep minutes of
all it's proceedings and shall render a
full ana complete report Of its service
thirteenth legislative assembly, on or
before the tenth day OF it's session,
and to draft or formulate a bill or
bills for such act or acts as it may
deem advisable to carry into effect it's
recommendations, such report shall
also include a detailed statement of
iyts expenditures.
Section 3. Duties. The committee
shall cause a careful research to be
made Of the business methods, rec
ords and routine of all state depart
ment officers, and all penal, charitable
and educational institutions belonging
to the state, to the obtaining of def
mite economic information as to the
conditions existing therein, and it
shall formulate therefrom a standard
and uniform method of accounting
therefore, utilizing the most modern
and economical methods for produc-
ing reliable public information as to
the revenues and expenditures Of such
department officers and state institu-
lions, and also they shall cause to be
disclosed therefrom, in a plain and
effective manner, the stewardship of
the public officials connected there
with.
To cause a thorough research and
study OF the financial methods. rec
ords and routine of not less than three
or moro than five organized counties.
not less than three or more than five
municipalities, not less than three or
more than five general independent
or special school districts, all to be
! located in this state, and to formulate
therefrom, standard and uniform
method Of accounting therefor, utiliz-
ing the most modern and economical
methods for producing reliable public
information as to the revenues and ex-
penditures of each, and also disclose
therefrom in plain and effective man
ner the stewardship of the officials
connected Herewith.
During the progress of it's work. ana
as it may deem expedent, the commit
tee may ale with the governor and
secretary of state, copies of its con-
clustons, recommendations, forms for
records and such other material OF in
formation, and when 50 filed. the state
auditing board may advertise for seal
ed proposals under such rules as II
may deem best. for furnishing the
state of North Dakota such records.
forms, blanks, supplies or reports as
recommended by the committee on uni
form methods for public accounts, and