The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-03-10
Tells How Peoples Money is
Spent in His Of
fee.
BIG JOB At LITTlE COST
Asks That the Right Kind of
Men Be Named to In
vestigate.
Especial Dispatch to West virRlnlan)

Especial Dispatch to West VirRinlan)
CHARLESTON. w. Va, March 10.
Although the efficiency commission
proposition introduced in the last ses-
sion of the legislature failed Of pass.
age, Governor Cornwell, in his inaug-
ural address, promises that the idea
will be carried out before he makes
any changes in tie heads of any of the
state institutions.
Following the governors remarks in
this address, Auditor John 8. Darst
has communicated with him inviting
him to delegate such a commission
and investigate the management o:
the auditors office. Mr.. Darst even
offers the service OF the employees Of
his office, without cost to the state OF
the governor, to carry out the investi-
CATION so that 1t can be learned If this
department is operated with all rea-
sonable efficiency at minimum cost
to thu tax payers,
Il respectfully request aud urge YOU
to select three or greater number OF
! cal party, to INSTRUMENTATION of the
In the Weir resolution which was in.
troduced in the legislature" invites
auditor.
1.-The only restriction request as to
the personnel Of these men is that
they shall be of the highest standing
and familiar with conducting big busl
ness, one whom shall be an insurance
man." says the auditor further.
THE peoule are entitled to know the
truth" rays the auditor in the COM
munication. II will be only too glaa
to have any one point out to me where
can improve the service, or secure
help equal to the present service the
employees are rendereing the state for
less money than they receice. The
auditors office now has a larger
scope, a greater field Of activity, than
the auditors office OF any other state
In the union"
Mr.. Darst refers in his communica-
ton 10 the eight different departments
and informs the governor Of how many
persons are employed in each and how
much money each receives. In the
accounting department, he says, there
Is a chief accountant and an assistant
The salaries paid there amount to
$4,000 a year. The amount disbursed
last year in this department was ap.
.proximately $10,500,000
The corporation department has two
men and one woman as employees.
They receive $4,000 year In salary.
In the sheriffs department there are
three employees. whose total salary is
$4,000 annually.
The CLAN department is operated
by one man, whose duty 1t is to CHECK
IN and pay the states costs in GRIM
inal cases, including juror and witness
fees. The amount disburSed In this
department last year was $4,000.
In the warrant department are two
clerks on salary of $500 a year
each. Last year they issued almost
$4,000 claims.
From three to five men are employ
ed In the land department. These are
all employed part of the time, and
three OF them all the time, the total
of the salary list there is $1,000 year.
The insurance department is one Of
the most important of all, and the aud.
itor looks after the work personally,
with four persons assisting him. The
salary cost there Is SS,400 annually for
the hire of an actuary, examiner, at
torney, deputy and tsenographer.
Mr.. Darst cites figlres from the aud
itor's offices of other states states, and
West Virginia makes fine showing
in comparison, getting more service
for less money than any other.
FRED KING.