Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-03-04

at the disposal OF the Commissioner of
Agriculture and Labor for the promotion
of immigration the sum OF $15, ,O0.
From other sources there was available
in this fund the sum Of $1,95S. 80. making
Il total fuhd of SIG. 1895 . This entire
fund has been expended. An
ton has been made of the vouchers FOR
each item of expenditure and the same
fund to be properly audited. In con-
nection with the Promotion OF Immigra-
ton fund, we found 1t necessary TO go
into a detailed consideration of wlct has
been knOwn as the Stale Industrial "H-
position. An Exposition has been held in
the city of Bismarck during the years
1911 and 1919, under the general super
vision of the Commissioner of Agriculture
and Labor. In the Act making the APP
preparation of SIS, 000.0 90 above mention
ed, the Commissioner was authorized to
use the money so appropriated in adver-
Using the resources of the state and in
making such exhibits as he should deem
advisable. The Commissioner deemed it
advisable to make an exhibition Of our
products at a large exposition in our own
state He received authority of III"
State Auditing Board to secure from the
Northern Pacific Railway Com oan,' inc
lease Of a suitable building in the City
Bismarck and under this authority pro-
ceeded to make preparations for the cX-
position. \ part of the appropriation
mentioned above was used in fitting the
l,;r1;rr AVID Guaranteeing fhn nynncifinn
Most Of the funds needed and used for
that purpose. however, We're received from
subscriptions or voluntary contributions
by individuals, commercial clubs and
counties. and admission fees. The pre-
miums which were deemed necessary
to secure proper exhibits of the re-
sources and products of the state, We e
largely contributed by the wholesale
dealers interested in the development Of
a market in this state.
The Commissioner has taken the posi-
ton that the exposition can not properly
be treated as a. state undertaking and
has questioned the propriety Of our in
v~estigation of the exposition account.
We find, however, that the contracts
made by him were made as Commissioner
of agriculture IND Labor: that at least
one contract was executed by the Gov
ernOr in the name of the state, and that
moneys collected from various sources in
connection with the exposition We're de-
positied in the promotion of immigration
account carried by the Commissioner in
one of the banks. The exposition was
advertised as the North Dakota Indus
trial Exposition and was generally be-
lieved to be a state undertaking., con-
Quoted under the auspices of one OF the
states administrative departments. Fur
Their than this, the Commissioner of
Agriculture and Labor in his bienniar re-
port Of receipts and expenditures for
promotion of immigration has included
a statement Of the receipts and disburse-
ments in connection with the exposition.
The items of expenditure in connection
with the exposition as shown by the
printed report, have been checked and
some testimony taken relative to. some
Of the larger items. Vouchers are on
file for all items with the exception of
an item shown on page 10 Of the report
date November 18th, 1912 for premiums
awarded at the exposition, $6,3991. 90 and
a similar item shown on page % Of the
REPORT dated November 9Th, 1912 for Sc. :
412.0 90. These items we find were not
cash disbursements, dis the report would
indicate, but represent the total value Of
the donated premiums awarded. the
value Of each premium being fixed by its
contributor. We have had placed before
us a list OF the premiums awarded, but
it would require more time than we AVE
at our disposal to check the premiums
with the prmiums listed, so that
we could determine whether the value as
shown in the disbursements is correct, so
we accept the figures given in each in
stance. The two items Of premiums
awarded. therefore, show disbursements
for that purpose %agregating SIP, 300. 70. TO
make the report correct, the receipts
should likewise show premiums to that
amount. This is not DONE. AS the re-
port was printed it shows the excess Of
disbursements over receipts of $13, 5000. SO.
Adding to receipts the amount of the
value of the premiums shown to have
been Gisbursed to balance those items in
disbursements. the over draft would be
$5S7.2ST instead Of S13, 800. SO, We find
also that an item Of $4,000, which was
shown as a liability in the report, has
been included in the total of the dis
burseme"ts; this should be subtracted
from that item. When that correction
is made the correct over uraft is 1874. 2S.
a corresponding change is necessitated
in the letter of transmit appearing on
the first page Of the report. Unless these
corrections are made tie report is mis-
leading.
We call attention to another matter
which should appear in the report. Dur
ing the W seasons, the following pro-
pcrty was acquired for the exposition.
which is still held and should be included |
barn and silo, which is estimated by the
commissioner as worth $S,500.OO. There
was also built paid for out of a fund
derived from various sources, an addition
to the exposition building, which has an
estomated value of $1,000, 90; there was
left on hand of premiums O awarded,
merchandise and personal property OF
various kinds, having ar estimated value
of 1000. 90. Furniture and equipment
for the exposition building has also been
purchased n paid for out of exposition
tunds; the exact value of this pl operty,
it has. been difficult to determine. We
have attempted. to ascertain the valne
thereof, but with rather unsatisfaa:o,:
results. In the judgment Of your COM :
mittee an allowance Of $4,000 as its
present value would be very liberal. We
believe that these items, amounting in
all to $G,800.O0 should be considered as