The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1915-07-23


rate aud the expense of maintaining
the county government were discus
sions in which county officials Joined,
according to the report of the regular
meeting OF the Kootenai County Tax
payers association at Occur d'Alene
July 6.
Following are some excerpts from
the report:
A communication was read from
Governor Alexander In which he said
the state was not in a position TO
furnish an expert accountant for an
audit of the county books. He said
that several counties In the state are
now having complete audts made at
their own expense.
Commissioner WaRgoner being
present said that the commissioners
had been put to considerable trouble
and some expense In checking the
lists OF alleged overcharges; that
relative to some Of the items expert
opinions differed; that the demands
made by the commissioners for re-
funds were limited to the items and
totals-Press $l83 80, and Journal
$836. .68-wh!ch the board believed
could be collected.
Fred L. Tiffany, accountant for
the association, read from annual re
ports OF the county officers for several
years, including this year. showing
that the revenues raised from taxa
tIon in the past two years had In
creased $l5s, ,829.93; that with the
deficiency OF Inst year. the increase of
expenditures for the two years
amounted to 1925. 900; that the out
standing warrant Indebtedness now
amounts to $l60, 900, not including
interest OF $4,000, in round figures;
that the telephone rents for the two
years show an increase of $1100; that
the fees collected la 1912 amounted
to 1884 Is, and In 1914, $l8, ,266.-
90, against which an increased cost
OF producing the fees amounted to
$8906.09. That the expense Ia the
assessors office shows an increase of
$4,000; the probate court $i367; sur
veyor's office $43l2. The county
attorneys office shows decrease in
the two years OF $500; the auditors
Office an Increase of $2500. That the
commissioners last year fixed the
current expense fund at S77, 900, and
Tad expended $l45, 900.
T. J. Stonestreet declared that
with territory cut off from the coun.
", IL there Is no cut made in taxes,
they will be twice as much this year
This" he said, "makes the taxpay--
ers wonder where they are to ''get off
at" He asked Auditor Dandy II be
could furnish the association with
lists showing comparatively the
salary expenses 10 the various county
departments. Chairman Wiggett
suggested that the statement suggest,
also, how expenses could be curtailed.
The auditor said he would endeavor
to furnish this data 10 such form as
would be OF assistance to the assoca.
tion.
w. +. Fehlhaber OF Rathdrum read
from an extended editorial published
two years ago in Caldwell paper, Ia
which the ambitious of politicians
and their willingness to submit to
un-Amerlcan principles were said tC
contribute to the increased cost ol
government. His purpose incidental
ly was to show that the protest oil
the taxpayers is not of recent origin
but has grown actively for some time
Auditor Dandy said that all pres
ent indications are that his next an
nual statement will show reduced
cost OF county government. mention
log specifically 10 this respect th'
surveyors Office. the treasuref's office
and the assessors Office.
Mr.. Dandy, speaking as a taxpayer
declared that he along with other
realized the burden of increased taxes
he said the law requires the com
missioners to make levy to cove
outstanding warrant indebtedness