The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1919-09-05

Foundations are now being laid in
the department of finance for the pre-
paration of state budget which is ex-
pected to eliminate the evil of hap
hazard legislative appropriations. The
budget will be careful, scientific
analysis of the financial needs of the
states several institutions and de-
partments, designed. of course, to
enable the legislature to authorize
equitable expenditures.
Outstanding among the recent
achievements of G. e. Bowerman,
finance commissioner, is the introduc-
ton in all the counties Of the state of
a new and modernized form of book
keeping. County officials generally
have acknowledged that this improved
system affords complete records. !
makes information readily available |
and saves time.
Among the several regulations re-
Gently promulgated by the finance
department was rule requiring all
state money to be deposited with the
state treasurer. In the past certain
funds have been deposited in semi
private accounts where they have not
been drawing interest for the state.
An active campaign has been car
ried on by the department through the
banks of the state urging against the
exchange of government bonds for
other sorcalled securities. This par
ticular activity has met with SPLEEN
did response from virtually all of
Idaho's banking institutions.
Prevent Fraudulent Sales.
Efforts have been made by the de-
partment to examine into the bonded
indebtedness of the various counties.
In several instances it has been pos
sible to prevent transactions APP
preaching the fraudulent in the sale of
county bonds.
Supervision of the administration
and enforcement of laws governing
the assessment of property and the
levy, collection and apportionment of
taxes, one of the principal duties dele
gated to the finance department prob
ably will not be entered Upon until
later in the year.
Marked improvement in the regis
tration of vital statistics and thor
ough synchronizing of the work. ot
the three state asylums devoted to the
care of the insane are among the more
!, important results which have been
achieved by J. K White, commission
er Of public welfare.
Push Birth Records.
DR.. E. E. Laubaugh of the bureau
of public health service in the welfare
department is rapidly bringing the
registration OF birth and death certifi-
Gates and other essential statistics to
a point where Idaho probably will be
recognized by. the United States CEN
sus bureau. The census bureau stand
ards demand 90 per cent efficiency.
By process of conference and con-
& tinual contact through correspondence
and visits of inspection, the superin-
tendent of the three insane asylums
have been enabled to profit both by
their mutual mistakes and mutual
z proficiencies. Uniform system of re-
ports will be installed in all of the
institutions in the near future.
Commissioner White plans to pre-
sent at the next session of the legis-
lature detailed reports which will have
as their principal feature an accurate
forecast of the probable future needs
of the three asylums. The unfor.
tunate Blackfoot situation will be
remedied the moment funds are made
available.
Survey Institutions.
Survey of the three institutions
probably will be made at some time in
the near future by Investigators rep
resenting the National Committee or
Mental Hyginene, an organization de-
voted to psychopathic research which
already has done much creditable vel
fare work for the insane in co-opera
ton with authorities in other states.
At Lava Hot Springs, an institution
placed under the control of Commits
sioner White by legislation authoriz
ing the issuance of bonds for exten
sive improvements, new natatoriun
covering two of the larger pools ha:
recently been completed. Building.
contemplated at the Idaho Soldiers
home may not be erected at once a!
legislative appropriations intended fol
the purpose have proven inadequate
Perhaps the most spectacular o
achievements of w. G. Swendsen
commissioner of reclamation has beer
the satisfactory adjustment of tn;
various difficulties which have arise1
as the result of the current year.
record breaking water shortage
Adjust Water Controversies.
Distribution and apportionment O.
water in all the streams of the stat,
became urgently necessary as soon a.
the early summers Unusually scarcity
developed and with the single ex.
ception of an instance of court inter
ference, Commissioner Swendser
made his adjustments SO satisfactoril,
that he won the cordial appreciation Ct
several influential citizens who hat
been bitterly opposed to the idea OF
definite reclamation department.
Directly as result of the Davis bill
re-alignment, the reclamation depart
ment has been able to expedite tire.
mendously all matters of Carey act
administration. Under the late ant
uniamented system of land board con.
troll. Carey act applications. particular.
ly If they involved legal and engi
neering questions, often were not