The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1922-08-16
LEGISLATION
C0NSIDESED
BY AUDITORS
Methods to Increase Eff.
cheney of Public Service
Are Discussed Here
PEMBINA PLAN GIVEN
Effort 10 Increase knowledge
of Conditions Among Tax
payers Successful
PEMBINA PLAN GIVEN

Legislation to increase the effici-
ency of public service and lessen the
expense was urged before the county
auditors of the s:<te in session here
by William W. Felsoh, auditor of
Pembina county, in the presidents
address at the annual convention be-
ing held in the senate chamber of the
state capitol.
Mr.. Felson urged, among other
things: A better state budget sys-
tenn, better county budget system,
better school budget system and a
better township city and village bud
get plan.
Mr.. Felson also outlined before the
county and auditors a plan used in
Pembina county to increase the ef-
ficiency of the public service by in
teresting the public in it, a plan, COM
mended by Governor Nestos in, an
address following the association
president.
"The systems of accounting and re-
porting public transactions should be
simple in form, yet adequate to show
that the person o, officials in charge
have given careful consideration to-
their work, that every item Of ex-
pense to be incurred and for which
public funds are to be raised was
carefully estimated" Mr.. Felson told
the auditors.
School Budget Plan. ...r
During the past year in Pembina
county effort has been made to make
the annual meeting of township, vii
lage and school officials worth while
and more successful event. To IL
lustrate-just previous to the annual
school election letter was written
to school officers urging them to be-
come more harmonious working
body in the mattee of school finances,
plan of school budget was prepared
in the form Of a QUESTIONABLE, boards
were asked to answer each question,
officials to carry in mind continually,
a question mark. There is no room
in educational work. or any other
public undertaking for guessing at
the cost. Facts are facts and should
be compiled as such. When official
boards intelligently question every
thing, taking nothing for granted un-
til justified by true facts, with ap-
piled common sense, reasonably and
pleasantly carried out, they IRE sure
of success and they will become
working forces aguinst waste of pub
lie funds"
Mr.. Felson desc eibed. in detail the
questionnaire. to scho officials.
Governor Nestos, in addressing IT,.
auditors, urged that this plan be
followed throughout the state, and
also urged occasional meeting of
county officials, with states attorneys,
or others present, to 60 over matters
of concern. "H @@.. ..
The governor sSked the auditors
when they went h;me to get county
officials together, 60 over their prob
lens, consider possibilities for Inn
provement of the state laws by the
next legislature and report to state
officials so that recommendations may
be made to the legislature. ls ts.2
Urge Same Ballot. ai9 10
Among the changes in laws to'be
urged by county auditors Is that the
same ballot be used for men and wo-
men voters and that there be but one
total made. It was reported that F,
some counties. the law was ignored
on this point by election officials in
the last election: 'ES = "l''
Among the. proposed, changes in
laws before the county auditors to-
day are:
A simple and less expensive method
of classification OF ts1m lands, more
simple rules in reference to registra-
ton of taxable structures or inn
provements on lands and leased sides,
adoption of q separate system of
records in" tax proceedings.
After discussion this morning the
auditors adopted Il motion urging as
sessment of electric utility power
lines the same as railroads, etc, be-
cause many power lines now traverse
more than one county and serve
many towns. @...
Taken on Auto Ride.
At noon the auditors were taken to
the state prison by the. Bismarck
Town Criers. After lunch, there,
served by Warden Stair, they were
shown through the prison. Later theJ
were taken in automobiles to the new
river bridge, Fort Lincoln and other
points of interest.
Officers will be elected this after
noon and tomorrow the auditors will
meet with Tax Commissioner Con
verse.
HUNDRED SHOTS