Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-05-29
GATHERED BY THE WAYs1DE
IBy Ora Williams.l

L 4XCxtx<x~ - =
by Ora Willams]
Des Moines. May ga few days
ago the writer gave brief statement
of the progress of the western freight
rate case, with some important news
features, including a fair and fatter-
ing comment by Commissioner Wilson
on the work being done. A newspaper
in northwestern Iowa paraphrased the
news story, including the interview,
and added a few twists; and a Des
Moines newspaper reproduced the
same, crediting it to the literary pur-
loiner But there was this difference,
that the re-worked article contained
in addition to the facts a wholly gra-
tuitous insult to state officials in the
form of an insinuation that expense
bills for the work being done in Chi
cago are being refused payment. The
intent was, of course, to beSmirch the
governor and his associations of the
executive council. Somewhere along
the line there Is great zeal displayed
at times to carry the impression out
into the state that other state officials
are hostile to what the Iowa railroad
commission has been doing in the rate
cases. The insinuations have been
carefully sent forth from time to time
that there has been petty haggling
over expense bills and going beyond
the demands Of the law in the demand
ing Of vouchers and orders. AS mat
ter Of news it is worth printing that
in perhaps no other thing is Iowa Of
ficialdom 50 unanimous and harmoni-
a tn ha hockin0 II of what iowa
has done and is doing in having pre-
scented to the interstate commerce
commission the facts regarding rail-
road rates and their relation to the
welfare Of the industrial community.
There has never been. in a single in
stance, any heckling Of the commits
sion, any captious criticism, any rails
ing OF technical questions for delay.
Whenever and wherever bills have been
presented, In proper form, conforming
to the law, properly authenticated,
there has been prompt approval Of
same. But Of course it Is true, not
in one department but in very many,
that bills are frequently sent back for
correction or further verification, etc.
That is an experience which all the de-
partments of state have had. But
person having the slightest disposition
to question the work in the handling
Of the big rate cases.
There has not been as good an I'M
Outstanding of the business methods
of the state of Iowa as the situation
deserves. A good many years ago, it
was the custom for heads of depart
| quired to travel, to merely pay their
| bills and come back at the state treas
ury for reimbursement in any old way
to get the money. Then there came
into state office and the legislative
| leadership a group of brilliant men who
| were alert to the business needs of the
state and dozen or more years ago
there was finally established the sys-
| tenn Of strict accounting for all ex-
penditures Of the state. For instance,
when this system was inaugurated,
it was found that score Of persons
who had to travel for the state were
buying mileage books at 2 cents a
mile and making the state pay cents,
or rather paying the full rate and
getting the rebate. That had always
been done before the days of the cent
fare. The cutting off Of that practice
caused a big furore Other similar
practices were Topped off one by one.
Now it is the rule, and everybody I'M
derstands it. that expense bills must
actually represent expenses. All that
is required is to make a proper show
| Ing, but this must be done. Iowa has
had state officials who have worked
out system and have strictly en-
| forced it. But few weeks ago an
! othcc change was made. = state
| board Of audit was organized, consist
ing of the state auditor, the assistant
secretary of the executive council and
the assistant attorney general. That
board is now working under very
strict law. It must approve all bills
before they are paid. 1t must know
that the bills were authorized by
proper authority. and place on file the
proper evidence of the expenditure
This board will carry on the work Sc
long done by the executive council
The only reason for the change wal
that the work was too burdensome
upon the state officials and as most
Of II was routine or clerical in ma.
ture It could Just as well be shifted
to an ex-officio board. But the MAR
point is that there is not business
house In the country that handles
business affairs more carefully thar
the state Of Iowa, and the exactioni
OF the state as to its business affairs
is right IN line with the very best
business custom.
very nice lecture to prosecuting at
torneys was delivered in a supreme
court opinion the other day, wherein
there was an order for new trial be
cause Of the extravagant and rockies
language employed by county attor
sney In addressing q jury. He had an