The Mena weekly star., 1921-02-17

Apfll Z4, 1JZU, n0te tO
 Farmers & Merchants
 Bank for Southwestern
 Engineering Company 6,0O0-Ou January 19, 1921 Hanchett
 Bond Company ...... 25OOO.OU January 24, 1921, Hanchett
 Bond Compan .......-.. 5,oOO'Oo
 Total ..... .$156 009.7o
 EXPENDITURES
 Commission for selling
 ] bonds .,...........--@ o,VOO-OO Ford touring car .. 609.70 1 Assessment books ...... lO3.VO Printing bonds ..... 422.O0 l Driving assessors ....... 7.5O | Upkeep of Ford car ....s. 687.24 Court costs ...... 14S0O Freight and demurrage -.. 515l9 Expense sale of bonds ... 48550 Payments to Engineers L.. 15,941 01 Per Diem and travelling ex-
 penses of commissioners
 and others .....4.. 315277 Payments made for
 clerical work - 895. AS Payments made to assessors 992.50 Payment of notes for bor-
 rowed money ...... 16,309.70 Interest on notes .... 8S2. 40 Attorneys fees and ex-
 penSes ............ l,USOOO Paid Early x Jones .. 49,315.84 Blodgett Construction Co.,. 16.204 69 Bell Sales Company ... 2,35711 Independent Rock Company 100000 Advertising for bids ,.s. 10960 Right-of way and fence 16692 Express on bonds to
 Chicago ............. 41.OS Printing and stationery 9700
 Total ............ $130,53023
 An analysis of this summary will show that up to this time about 35 per cent of the expenditures were for overhead expenses; as a matter of common knowledge some of these were brought about by the legal con- test waged against the district, the consequent difficulty in the sale of the bonds and the additional cost of mak- ing tax books. Then, too, the over head expenses up to this time con tain items for preliminary expenses that will not be accrued again. The foregoing is full statement of all the material facts which we have learned from our investigation which we deem worth while to re- port. In this investigation we have endeavored to learn only such facts as appeared to us pertinent to the purpose of the inquiry as indicated to us by the court, and in this report we have tried to state such facts as clearly as we might, with only such comment as appeared to us necessary | taf,Iars fba <airatt,oo fa paac al1ouyi., c. such facts, so far as possible, to speak for themselves.
 In addition to the recommendations to the court which are indicated in the course of this report we wish to add one further suggestion both to the court and to the commissioners, and that is, that hereafter the con- missioners render reports to the court at least quarterly. The law only re- | quires annual reports, but in our judgment it would be much less diff | ficult to correct any mistakes that may be made if accounts are oftener rendered and checked up, and we are sure that such accounting would be ] much more satisfactory to the tax payers of the district.
 While we have refrained thus far from commenting upon any matter set forth in. this report further than we believed necessary in each case, yet now in conclusion we feel con strained t0 FpiInteer the observation that. allafn all, we do not see anything Tn the situation that should be par ticularly discouraging to the tax payers of the district nor to the friends of good roads. We have pointed out some things that in our l Judgment the commissioners should not have done, some expenditures that we believe should not have been made, and some transactions that may be subject to adverse criticism; yet it should be borne in mind that the building of this highway is the first project of the kind that has been un- dertaken in this county and that everyone in any way charged with any responsibility with respect there to was, in the beginning. without ex- perience. That some mistakes should be made was but natural and to some extent to be expected under such circumstances. Then, too, it is common knowledge that the commis- sioners have labored under most try ing circumstances and in the face of the most stubborn, and at times most bitter opposition. This opposition has manifestly been very costly to the taxpayers of the district, and has certainly been much more expensive than any mistakes that may be charged to the commissioners. wheth- CT thru ignorance or lack of business judgment. For instance, in the price received for the bond issue alone the opposition has cost the taxpayers the difference between 90 cents on the dollar and 102 cents on the dollar. or total of $60,000.00
 m this report we have tried to re- veal the facts just as they are. We have not consciously gone out of our way for the purposes of either shield ing or exposing any individual, set of individuals, or any institution, but have performed these labors with a view only to conforming to the orders and directions given us by your Honor before entering upon the task so as. signed to us.
 Trusting that we have suficientl, performed the task assigned us thi: report is respectfully submitted.
 FRED ]. SMITH MINOR pIpKIN