Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1919-12-16

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usefulness and necessity. Reports hav-
ing reached the depar tment that bor-
dering states were rounding up men,
bers of this organization following the
Centralia tragedy, and that as a con-
sequence members of the L. w. w.
organization were moving into Idaho,
the entire energy of the bureau was
directed to the handling of this situa-
ton" 1
Il am very pleased to advise you
! that all the institutions OF this depart
ment are well provided for and have
been very comfortable during this ex
treme wea Their" says the report of J..
X. White commissioner of public well
| fare.
CLOSES NArAToRIUM.
Il have closed up the natatorium at
| Lava Hot Springs as the building and
/, equipment are not suitable for opera
| ton in cold or Indictment weather. The
| new modern bathoUse is ample to care
| for the patronage at this season and
/ this is being operated to accommodate
those who desire this service.
Il have felt it necessary and in the
interest of the state to stop work on
the Soldiers Home building except the
Installation of plumbing and heating
until such time as we have more mod
| crate weather.
Il also might advise you that the
medical superintendent OF the Nampa
Feeble Minded Home has been author
lied to give the children under his
care real Christmas tree, and he re-
quests ME to invite your excellency
| and members of your cabinet to attend
the ceremony and observe the manner
of training and caring for those COM
mitted to this institution.
During October smallp0x occurred
in the state in epidemic form, IS coun-
ties reporting total of 375 cases.
During November, the number of coun-.
ties was increased TO % with a total
of 1852 cases reported making grand
total for the two months of 127 cases.
These figures are appalling and a
detailed study of these statistics illus
tretes once again what has been recog-
nized by the medical profession for
number of years that it is practically
| impossible to control smallpox by
| quarantine alone.
"Minidoka county reported 251 cases
| of smallpox during october, with many
cases SO mild that the health authori-
| ties were not advised of their exist
ence. therefore not reported. Vacci-
nation of school children was begun
with the result that during November.
but 20 cases developed despite the fact
| that all the counties surrounding Mini
uOka County, SNOW RAPID r increase VI
| the number of cases and Minidoka
county had POI cases convalescing."
RECLAMATION REPORT.
S. T. Baer, assistant commissioner
i of reclamation, made the report of the
reclama ton department In the absence
of Commissioner w. G. Swendson, who
| is in Washington. ID. c., on irrigation
matters of interest to Idaho.
The report covers the activities of
| the department from Dec. to Dec. IA.
Thirty applications" says the re-
port, Ito appropriate public waters of
! tie state have been received and en-
| tered during this period, which will inn
ply no cessation in appropriating the
public waters of this state for agri-
cultural and other purposes.
These applications are taking the
usual course and in due time will pass
to permit.
COMPLETE PROJECT.
The field examination covering the
work done on the Idaho Irrigation
project has been completed. This final
examination was made with the idea
IN view of determining whether or not
| the company had complied with the
| recommendations OF this department
made in 1916. These recommends lions
were thought necessary before final ac-
| ceptance of the project as complete In
compliance with the contract existing
| between The state Of Idaho and the
Idaho Irrigation company"
LAWS CONFUSING.
That the large mass of laws regard
| ing the keeping of county records are
not thoroughly understood by Idaho
county officials is indicated in the re-
| port OF James Munro. chief examiner
| in MIR. BoWerman's department.
ERRORS occur in all accounting but
are more numerous in counties because
each legislature creates new accounts
! ing requirements due to changes I'm the
| law" says Munro's report. These new
laws are at times not clear or cause
| complications and the examiner must
| give the proper Interpretation and help
adjust any complications that come up.
SAMPLE OF ERRORS.
"As an example of errors that arise
| in counties, one report shows that the
| appraisers in a county subdivision add
| justment made an error of $4011 in the
| amount Of cash due from the old
county to the new. Other reports show
| that counties do not give the proper
amount OF road and bridge taxes to
the cities and highway districts; that
Independent school districts and other
school districts exceed the limit OF
bonded Indebtedness; that bonds are
improperly fIoated. and that counties
in some instances have lost as high
as $1,000 in transactions of this kind
alone: that improper deductions are
made on the tax roll, and in two coun-
ties this error was so extreme that the
assessors were required to reassess the
| property.
Hardly county is visited but some
error is found In the matter of bonds.
SOME MORE ERRORS.
There are 1874 county depository
I la nks in this stata and n This ,,,,,.,
Der Is gave personal bonds which were
not approved for period Of two years.
In 10 cases the bonds had been APP
proved for less than the penalty OF the
bond. In 30 cases the bonds exceeded
the capital stock Of the bank, and In