Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-11-12
SHALL WE INVESTIGATE?


of New Mexico than the Irregularities and ineft-
ciencies which are bound to exist in almost every
department of state government result of the
present laws governing the auditing of accounts.
The state travelling auditor is made the sole auditor
for departments state institutions, counties,
school districts cities and drainage districts. Pub
lie money can not be expended to employ other
auditors, according to the decision of the attorney
general.
As a result of this situation the utmost laxity
exists in the expenditure of public monies and the
handling Of public accounts. in large proportion
of these subdivisions of the state,
In his report of conditions in the department OF
education the travelling auditor says that the last
audit was four and one-half years ago. So that
department had gone unchecked for that period. In
another portion of the report he says that the de-
partment is now audited "out of turn" at the re-
quest Of the state board of education"
For the love of Mike! Not audited for -four
and one-half years and then audited "out of turn!'
Will some mathematical genius estimate for US
when it would have been audited if it had been
compelled to await it's turn, other subdivisions
must do?
This is not mere carping 1t is the most vital
criticism of which any one can conceive At least
ten million dollars is expended by public officials
each year in New Mexico. No one but the travelling
auditor is authorized by law to check up this ex-
penditure. He can not make the rounds once in
years and with real audit, can not do so once
in ten years. Conceding that the travelling auditor
is honest and competent this is appalling But his
report the educational department shows tina;
he is not competent This adds to the distress of
the taxpayer.
This situation should set the state on fire Thai
families should sacrifice comforts TO pay taxes
their homes, only to have the money loosely
ruptly spent without adequate auditing supervision
is crime against the people which should not be
endured
When Albert Simms was made chairman of the
county commission of Bernalillo county he found
there had been audit of the county for four and
half years The commission spent 81 900 contrary
to the ruling of the attorney general in procuring
check-up for year back. For this they to be
commended. Yet today. the previous three and
half years stands unaudted.
This county is in financial troubles now. Whose
fault it is the Journal does not know. 1t is easily
ascertainable if the business of the city would
conduct a private audit. This they have right TO
do at private expense. The records public
Access to them not be denied. If a movement
is not started to go to the bottom of county affairs
we deserve the worst kind of mismanagement. In
communication to the Journal Mr. Simms com
mends stand in this matter. He would approve
such an audit. We have every confidence in the
good faith and high purposes of Mr.. Simms.
An investigation of the report Of Travelling Audi
tor Whittier on the educational department shows
it to be half baked" affair which borders very
closely a white-wash. 1t reveals that things are
radically wrong, but does not go to the bottom of
the matter. For instance, it casually shows an item
Of $4,000 for compiling school laws" No date is
given and statement to who received the
money. No one tell what was done.
OF course, this item might prove to be all rgh:.
on investigation. However the school laws could
be compiled" in two or three days. There are
plenty Of people who would have rendered this sery-
ice for nothing Captain Reid did in compiling the
appellate procedure without cost to the state al
though that much greater task. Even /;
compiling" included printing we can not conceive
of how the bill for this small pamphlet could b.
more than $3.50. 1t looks though much is rot
ten in Denmark"
The Journal is wholly dissatisfied with the Whit
tier report. 1t reveals just enough to convince us
that the whole matter needs a thorough overhaul
ing in the interests of decency and economy This
paper is contemplating putting expert auditors into
the educational department to conduct a thorough
investigation. The expense is all that deters We
wonder whether taxpayers interested sufficient
y to come forward with financial assistance in
Quoting such investigation? We believe that
startling disclosures leading into other departments
OF state government. would result.
Public suspicion has been aroused. If there is
no basis for it, investigation will clear the atmos
phere. II things wrong the people should know
it. What do you say?
The fear of some republican leaders that an in
vestigation will hurt the party is groundless. |:
the republican party joins heartily in cleaning its
own house, its standing will be helped, not hurt.
If 1t offers resistance, and attempts to conceal
wrong-doing by its officers, it will be damned in
tba puhli eya Wicdo dyioo