White Pine news. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1920-1923, 1921-03-06
PRACTICAL lINf9@y OF GRAFT
IN LATEST @RaRy REPORT


The Supplemental report filed by
the grand4hry>&ast Friday is a brief
NocumenN and sets forth that the
fAree commissioners so prominently
in the original report
wefe given an opportunity to appear
before the grand jury and make
statements in their defense. mo
member of the commission was able
to explain away the Irregularities
practiced in the handling of county
affairs" says the report.
This would appear to be vindica-
ton of the commissioners, because II
only irregularities were found
there could have been no graft or
misapplication of county funds. The
fact that no indictments were found
is further indication that no evil
dence was discovered OF crime hav-
ing been committed. 1
The only other reference In the
supplemental report is to the audit
ing of the county's books by "a non
resident certified public accountant"
The report cites section 1903 of the
revised laws of 1912 as the law Civ
ing authority to the county commits
sioners to order this work done by
such nonresident" and says that
the district attorney advises that the
section is still in full force and ef-
feet. That law was passed March &,
1865. and there have been laws made
since that time. II. w. Edwards, the
former district attorney. when asked
IS to the matter ventured the opin-
ion that the commissioners did not
have the right to employ non
resident to do the work under the
present conditions. He pointed out
the fact that March 10, 1917. or
just little more than fifty-two
years after the passage of the law
cited In the report. the legislature
of this state passed law which pro
yides for a state auditor, whose duty
it Is to examine the books of the
state and the various counties, and
IL such work is now required here
the commissioners would seem to
have the right to call upon State
Auditor ID. J. Sullivan to do it, This
work has been done by the state
auditor as required by the law. and
his report was in the hands of the
grand jury.
Several citizens who are we'll ac-
quainted with State Auditor Sulli-
van, who was for many years a resi-
dent of White Pine county and for
time deputy county treasurer under
A j. Carpenter, expressed every con-
fldence in his ability and integrity
and took the view that If Mr.. SulIi-
van was called upon he would furn-
ish the grand jury with an audit
without additional expense.
There is suit now pending against
White Pine county for an audit made
some years ago by firm of mon
resident certified public accountants"
who are suing to recover p large sum
claimed due from the county, and
some expressed the view that IL
might oe we'll to have that matter
settled FIRST.
The supplemental report filed by
the grand jury Friday is as follows:
To the Hon. c. j. McFadden, Dis
trict Judge of the Ninth Judicia!
District Court of the State of Nevada.
In and for the County of White Pine
Sir-In accordance with your in
struetions dated February 25, 1921.
we, the grand jury. reconvened on
Wednesday. March 2. 1921. at 10
o cleek a. M. and beg leave to sub
NIT the following supplemental re-
port.
Ex-County Commissioners W. r.
Movers. John Weber and the present
chairman of the board of county com
rlissioners, Mr.. r. L. Tucker. were
given the opportunity to appear be-
fore the grand jury and make state
ments in their defense. No member
of the commission was able to ex-
plain away the irregularities prac-
ticed in the handling of county af-
fairs
AT this time we wish ro emphasize
the apparent necessity of having an
independent audit of the eounty's ex-
penditures made. In view of the fact
that the county's finances have furn-
ished a prolific source for adverse
criticism. We deem Ii wise and we'll
within our province to recommend
that this audit be made by a non
resident certified public accountant.
Section 1908 OF the revised laws of
Nevada. 1912. provides that the
county commissioners may have an
ahdit made. This section has been
construed by our supreme court in
the case OF Stone VS.. Bell, 81 Nevada.
at page 24O, the court saying THE
board OF county commissioners are
given power TO examine and audit
the accounts Of all officers having the
care, management. collection or dis
bursement OF any money belonging
TO the county" The district at
torney informs us that this section
is still in full force and effect. We
recommend that the county commits
sioners authorize such an audit to
be made.
At this time We are not prepared
To render final report. Respectfully
submitted
ARTHUR A SHELL. Frmn.
c. V. NANCE
MARTIN PETERSEN
] GUBLER
II. WISE.
NOSE ANDERSON
ROBERT REID.
w. V. HOGAN
F.. MIDDAGH.