Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-01-19
CLASSIFIED COMMERCIAL ADVERTISEMENTS

to the severest criticism for what it
did not do. The commission, we find,
did do far more than merely give out
temporary relief, and we find that
this temporary relief went entirely to
disabled veterans and amounted to
| 500, 422.17.''
In explaining the percentage of act
ual direct relief and expenditures the
report states that the indirect relief
could not be estimated in dollars and
cents. They cite work done in getting
laws passed and other indirect methods
which rebounded to the benefit of the
disabled men.
Has Itemized Receipts
Charge 5-1"That the veterans vel
fare commission has not filed itemized
receipts in the office of the state
auditor in support of claims for ex-
penses beyond blanket receipts, show
ing total sum for given general ex-
pense, such as supplies, travelling. etc,
in contradistinction to the ordinary
method in which state funds are handl-
ed whereby receipts must be shown for
every expense item in excess of 100"
Fndings-"We find that although
iLCAaACA ItCCIplo dI+ uOI Ol lie III LHG
office of the auditor, or on file with
the board of examiners, that the vet
erans welfare commission has kept
itemized receipts on file in its own Of
flee. We find that TIE board of ex-
aminers, in accordance with authority
conferred upon it by general statute
has passed regulation limiting the
expense of travelling within the state.
aside from the railroad fare, to 81 a
day, prohibiting the use of takes in
cities where a street car system is in
operation. and prohibiting of the charg-
ing against the state of Montana tips
and other purely personal expendi-
lures. and requiring receipts for each
expenditure of over $1.5O.
Some Not Clear
1--WE find that it was the general
custom of the commission to require
all of its employees to submit a detailed
tsecretary Of the commission) frankly
admits that he, as far as his own ex-
penses were concerned, was lax in
this respect. and that he has not filed
detailed accounts of his expenses in
travelling and has not preserved re-
ceipts for all items.
Your committee finds that many of
the itenlized claims are not clear on
their face. Several include joint par
tial expenses of two or more en-
ployes: others indicate the exchange
of funds which had been advanced to
employees on the same trip. We find
that the commission has in several in
stances recognized taxi fares in cities
ha wing street cars, and have recognized
tips as proper charges However. some
taxi fares were recognized only in
cases where emergencies existed. As
is the case with employees working up
TO the last moment on compensation
drives they were compelled to choose
that mode of conveyance rather than
miss their trains to the next station"
Approved by Examiners
The report states that in some in
stances the records of the commission
fail to show detailed disposal of ad-
vances. but that these instances were
thoroughly explained. All such claims,
it is said. were approved by the board
of examiners. In regard to an allega
ton made that Mr.. Pew has charged
$500 expenses for trips to Washing
ton, and that in one instance the cost
was $500 the report explains that a
large part of this money was used in
defraying expenses of tho delegation in
Washington The additional expense
was caused by the delegation remain
ing a week longer in Washington than
was contemplated. Mr.. Pew. it is said.
drew check for $500 against the COM
missions funds thus. so far as the
auditors records show, he received
$500 for his own expense.
Charge 6-"That there has been no
proper or intelligent audit examine
ton or check of the books, records and
accounts of said commission by the
state board of examiners, the state
examiner or the state accountant"
Finding -"This is true. But it is
no fault of the veterans welfare COM
mission. nut rather fault of the board
of examiners. state examiner or state
accountant. if it is fault. We find
that the commission has frequently
requested such an audit.
''Since the report was signed Gov
ernor Dixon has ordered State Ex-
aminer Shelton to make q thorough
audit of the commissions books and
accounts and TO present report to
the board of examiners. This was
done on the application of Chairman
Frank Walker of the commission who
stated he had made the same request
two months ago"
In its general findings the commit
tee states that the conduct of the COM
mission has been open at all times and
that former Governor Stewart and
Governor Dixon gave the work and ac-
complishments of the organization their
hearty approval
Recommendation Made
In its recommendations the report
suggests:
That future vacancies in the office
force of the commission be filled by
ex-service men and that. if necessary
bulletin Be sent TO the various posts
of the American Legion to ascertain
if men are available.
That the commission carry out its
intention announced in July. 1921. OF
dispensing with the services of an as
sistant to the secretary. and turn over
the work to one of the ex service men
in the office. fSince the compilation
OF the report the assistant secretary
position has been discontinued
That each commissioner and en-
ploye be required to file expense ac-
counts. accompanied by receipts for
each item exceeding $3.50.
That the per diem expense of eni-
ployes be fixed at not to exceed the
allowance made other state officers
and employees; the present system of
81 allowance to the stenographers
employed by this commission as COM
pared with the 81 maximum allowed
other state officers is discrimina-