The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1913-03-06
AUDITING BOARD
DIRECTS WORK
Gilbreath Says immigration
Activities are Under its
Direction.
tBy H. ID. PauIson.)

Bismarck, N. D.. Nc -ch 6-Activities
OF the commissioner OF agriculture
and labor in the promotion Of the inn
migration work are all conducted un-
der the direction Of the state auditing
board, and in a communication to the
house Of representatives.. submitted
yesterday, Commissioner Gi:breatt,
points TO the fact that the North Da-
kota industrial exposition, while con-
Quoted under his direction, really had
the approval of Governor John Burke,
for Secretary of State p. d. Norton,
Attorney General Andrew Miller, State
Treasurer Gunder Olson and State Au-
ditor D. X. Brightbill, as all were
members of the auditing board. Gov
ernOr Burke. according to Commits
sioner Gilhreath, executed the lease
for the building in which the Bismarck
event Of last year and the year pre-
vious was held. This board authorized
expenditures of $4,000 annually for
spent.
One Account Paid Twice.
Yesterday. Commissioner Gilbreath
covered into the state treasury the
sum of $74.s0. which amount was
shown by the investigation committee
to have been paid twice by the action
-.
question was included in a general
voucher for $1,076.86. $74.S0 Of which
amount had been added twice. once
in the form Of an itemized statement.
and again in total, the features Of
which are explained in Mr.. Gilbreath's
statement. The amount covered ex-
penses for nm exhibit at the state fair
in Grand Forks.
In his statement the Commissioners
points out the fact that the legisla-
tive committee made an examination
which about 100000 had been ex-
pended, and he contends that the fact
that but one clerical error was found
for that whole period. is somewhat of
a record. He also points to the fact
that the error in question passed un-
noticed through the hands of several
of his own Office force, through the
hands of the auditing board. and
through the state auditors office.
Board Has Full Power.
That he is without power to con-
duct any work for immigration pro-
motion except under the direction or
by tho consent Of the auditing board
Is another point which he makes. and
he cites tho law on the question in
proof Of his declaration.
Relative to the generally aired
charges that unwise and injudicious
expenditures have been made. he cites
the law which makes it mandatory
upon the auditing board to disallow
any vouchers for expenses which that
board may deem to be unwise.
The following statement Of Commits
sioner Gilbreath follows:
Some Erroneous Deductions.
Hon. T. H Frame. Speaker of the
House:
I have no intention Of criticising or
icensuring the report of the committee
whom you appointed to examine the
department over which have the
honor to preside. but wish to call at
tention to a few erroneous deductions
made by others to the committee, and
at the same time. offer a few explana-
tions.
When your committee formulated
it's report. 1t based 1t in part upon the
findings of the deputy examiner. who
Doubtless failed to familiarize himself
with all the facts relating to this de.
partment. Taking up the charges Of
this report seriatim. I desire to call
your attention to section OF the law
which appropriated the sum of $1b.-
900 for the promotion Of immigration.
which reads as follows:
"All plans and expenditures by tho
com m issioner Of agriculture and labor
for carrying out the provisions Of law.
for which this appropriation is made.
shall first he approved by the COVER
nor. auditor and attorney general. or
a majority Of the state auditing board.
Of which the foregoing named offici 8
are members"
Only Executive Present.
wish to emphasize the fact that
under this law the commissioners OF
agriculture and labor is only tho ex-
ecutive agent Of majority OF the
Continued on Page S.)