The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1913-05-09

which more thorough inquiry
should proceed At the same time the
Investigation was amply sufficient to
show that the best results cannot be
secured from the office as now organ
lied. . = @s ~.
This is not a criticism of the
Auditor or of his men. The defect is
not one of personnel nor of organi-
cation under the law. 1t is in the
laws of the state and even in the
constitution. Inconsistent, if not
conflicting duties are placed upon the
Auditor. He is overburdened with
such inharmonious functions, so that
it is not humanity possible to perform
any as we'll as it ishould be perform
ed. @.s - ~ ~
The Auditor has been made Land
Commissioner and has been charged
with the administration of the public
lands by Chapter SO, Title 1 of the
Statutes of Minnesota in 1878, which
by reference has been made part of
the constitution of the state.
This in itself tends to destroy his
efficiency as Auditor In the nature
of the case he cannot check his own
department. His administrative du-
ties conflict with the proper checking
of other departments The Auditor is
further disqualified for performing
the auditing function by being made
a member, of the administrative
boards. 4, ..: :s E-.. .s.s
An efficient Auditor can perform
no other function. Until the. state
strips its Auditor of all other func-
lions, it cannot have an efficient Au-
ditor. The Office should continue
elective, for it is important that the
Auditor should be responsible to his
employers only-the people of the
state. He should be given full power
to dictate to all departments forms of
records, accounts and reports, and
should be given adequate machinery
for examining. checking, auditing, in
vestigating and controlling financial
~ all other departments Of the state.
He should also have means of pub
licityd .=.. = . 2- II = ST..
Such an Auditor would supplant
entirely the public examiner, taking
over his functions. It goes without
saying that an officer appointed by
the officer sponsible for practically.
ali state administration, is not free to
find or to publish facts rejecting up.
on any part of that administration,
even though they might be found.
In saying this there is no suggestion.
that the present examiner is with
holding anything The. Auditor would
perform the functions of the public.
examiner better than they could be.
performed by the examiners Office as,
now constituted. He needs the exam
liners on his staff to make him an eff.
ficient Auditor. 81. s
An independent land department
would, Of course, be created, the adj
ministration Of which would be en-
tirely out, Of the hands of the Audi
tor. It would then be subject to his
examination, checking and control.
Such a change would mean radical
change in the laws in the depart
mental organization. To be thorough
It would require amendment Of the
state constitution.
& This Is a subject recommended to
you for your careful and earnest con-
sideration.
S. G. Iverson, State Auditor, is
constantly improving the system Of
his Office. He extended every facility
and courtesy In the conduct of your
inquiry, and expressed himself as hos
pitable to suggestio on for the better
|ment Of methods.
Aespectfully submitted.
s. r. CHILD,
Chairman Com. on Public Accts. and
Expendi tslres.