The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1915-01-07

investigate the various departments Of
the state, analyze their methods and
conditions, and after full deliberation
these men should make a general re.
port to the legislature, showing what
in their judgment every branch Of the
state government should receive in the
way of money and why. These men
would also report as to the eprobable
revenues and would not make recon-
mendations for expenditures beyond
the anticipated revenues. With such
a report it would be possible for the
members of the legislature to have
something comprehensive to work to
and bills for appropriations could be
acted upon intelligently. At least one
of the men on this committee should
be an expert accountant. If the states
business is ever to be conducted upon
the same basis as any other great cor
poration, method along the lines sug-
gested will have to be adopted. AS
long as the state government consists
of isolated units, there is not much
chance for anyone to get a compre-
hensive understanding of the whole
state without world of trouble in try
ing to tie the reports from the various
state offices and state institutions to-
gether, and the present method of ask
ign each institution and each branch
Of the state government to make an
an estimate as to what money they
need simply means that much more
money will be asked for than can pos
sibly be given. If this duty was dele
gated to three men who would first de-
termine the actual revenues of the
state and then would consider the re-
quirements of every branch of the
state government and of all state in
stitutions it would give us a report in
so comprehensive form that our leg
islature could act intelligently in the
matter of appropriations, and l earn
estly hope that legislation of this
character will be passed at this ses-
sion.
| Accounting.
Two years ago the legislature passed
bill authorizing the employment of
expert accountants to make an inves-
tigation of the states affairs and to
check up the various state officers and
state institutions, municipalities and
counties. The legislature authorized
the expenditure of $4,000 for this
work. The law continues, but the ap
preparation was but for one period.
The Temple-Webb Company of St.
Paul were employed to do the work at
the State Capitol They spent many
months in the work and went into each
and every department of the state very
thoroughly. Their reports are on file
in my office and l ask that committee
from the Senate and House be appoint
ed who shall go over the reports as
made and report to you. l suggest
that the legislature appropriate sum
sufficient to continue the aperation OF
this law, to provide for bringing the
state departments down to date and
Ito make an investigation of the various
state institutions and of a few of the
counties and municipalities. AS to the
counties and municipalities, only three
or four of each should be examined by
the experts. This work should be done
in cooperation with the State Exam
iner's Office and in cooperation with
county and municipal officers. the idea
being not alone to make the examin
ations in the counties and municipali,
ties, but to recommend and have adopt.
, ed certain books and forms by the
municipalities and counties and GER
tain methods as to the keeping OF