Grand Forks herald., 1918-09-11
STAT'E'SB0ND||I|ED
INDEBTEDNESS
ENOW $462,000
State Auditor is Far From
Satisfied with Present
Administration.

to certify that no issues remain unde-
cided on their dockets before they can
draw their pay, State Auditor Kositz-
ky in his biennial report to the gov
ernor explodes a. number of bombs
which will not add to his popularity
in certain official circles.
The state auditor says that tax
making powers should be centralized
in the state board Of equalization,
which he would have headed by the
governor, with the attorney general,
treasurer, auditor and agricultural
there is danger with a tax-making
body composed Of appointive officials
over whom the governor may have no
control Of "antagonism" Of the admin
istration, which might prove en-
barassing. For instance, the admins
and the "tax-making BODY might re-
fuse to raise that revenue. Instructions
relative to tax levies should come
from one body, instead of several,
says the state auditor, who would
have the state board Of equalization
provided with a full-time secretary,
with at least three years experience
as member of a tax-making body.
The present tax commission is COM
posed by one member appointed by
Governor Burke, one appointed by
Governor Hanna and one by Governor
Frazier. 1t never, however, has shown
any disposition to kick over the traces
and display antagonism to the present
administration.
that he is persona non grata to certain
district judges because he held up
their pay when he believed they were
not complying with the law, and he
suggests that the law relative to the
certificate required from them show
ing clean slate every ninety days be
made more specific and that it be also
applied to justices of the supreme
court.
Give Auditing Board More Power.
The auditor recommends that the
distribution of printing be taken from
! the various departments and concen-
trated in the printing commission, in
order that helter skelter claims may
not come in from unknown sources
and also with6a view to having the
states work done legally under the
est contract price.
He would give the state auditing
board more power He advises that
the state carry its own insurance on
state property thus saving premiums
aggregating $4,000 per annum. He
urges that an appropriation be made
to pay $4,000 in outstanding claims
for wolf and coyote bounties Z
/ Mr.. Kositzky feels there should be
some equalization examinations for
state employees, and that public jobs
not be used to pay personal political
debts. He asks that a standard wage
be fixed, calling attention to the fact
bookkeepers $1,000, while the state
auditor pays only $1,000.
/ He would have the legislature give
the state auditor authority to draw
direct on the various counties for the
care of their insane, and he asks that
closer restrictions be thrown around
the admission Of patients to the state
hospital, in order that North Dakota
may avoid caring for the insane of
other states.
No WOrk-No Pay.
The auditor objects to leave Of alb
sence. with pay to college professors,
some of whom, he says, at the close
of their years leave, take positions
with institutions outside the state.
This objection, Mr.. kositzky privately
explains, refers particularly to DR.. A.
NAL, whose years leave of absence has
been extended by the board Of regents
to permit him to accept commission
as major under Surgeon General Cor
gas, whom the Minot educator is to
assist with the establishment of re-
habilitation hospitals for crippled SOL
diers. The war department has agreed
time to time when his services are
most needed by the Minot normal.
Mr.. Kositzky asks that the state
historical society be placed under
control of the board of regents, and
that its meetings be held at the capt.
tol, where the state historical museum
is located, instead of at Grand Forks.
This would save, Mr.. Kositzky says,
$4,000 per annum in travelling expens-
es for members Of the board.
Bonded Indebtedness $482, 900.
The state auditor calls attention to
the fact that North 'Dakota's bonded
indebtedness is $462,ooo, and asks how
the constitutional limit of 100000
has been evaded. He would centralize
the levying, equalizing, accounting and
collecting Of state taxes in his office.
He urges that a uniform system Of
accounting for counties and munich
palfties be installed as recommended
by Governor Hanna several years ago,
when an appropriation Of $45, 900 was
that on petition Of certain Morton
county citizens he has held up since
Feb. 1, 1918. the salary of Judge j.
M. Hanley Of the Twelfth judicial dis
trict, who is a major with the expedi-
tionary forces in France, because he
is not certain that he has legal right
to draw this salary.
In conclusion the state auditor
naively acknowledges that he has
spent all the money appropriated for
his office including sums for extra
clerk hire, and he advises the gOver-
nor that he has got his moneys
worth for funds expended and that
he welcomes and invites inspection
and investigation.
q 2
r. N N IN