Imperial Valley press., 1924-02-07
THE GRAND JURY REPORT

The report of the retiring grand jury excerpts
from which appeared in this publication yesterday, is
to say the least disconcertng to the Imperial
Valley taxpayer. While body of is entirely
mfalble still document bearing the signatures of II
well known men must speak with authority. It is to be
presumed that all OF the data presented in this volum
nous (0-page report has been gathered after much dill
gent search Ior the true facts investigation by spe-
claiiy appointed committees and the findings OF a
grand jury expert who devoted weeks to research work
and to probing of various departmentS of the city and
county governments.
The one outstanding feature of the whole report
seems to be that not conducting affairs III
business-ike way systematic basis. There seems
to be more less chaos and resultant of activ
ties in many departments.
How long could big business exist if everything
were allowed to run IN haphazard, happy-go-lucky
fashion without dominant head a clear-cut hewto-
the-lihe policy?
Yet here we are in the big business of governing
some $4,000 people, with an annual income and eX-
nendlture tOtaling millions, and from the facts in the
case seem to be much like ship waowing in heavy
sea without rudder Overlapping of activities, dupli-
cation wasteful extravagance-ot so much purposely
as through nefflcency-are costing the taxpayers of
this county vast of money annually.
There have long been rumors and counter-rumors
regarding irrigation District affairs The grand jury
has come out into the openhaS called spade spade
and has spared no one in its criticism of the high
handed manner in which Irrigation District matters
are being handled. Further than this they make the
assertion that this spshod system is not confined TO
the present board by any means but deporable con-
dition of some years standing.
1nefe IS 10 particular department or county al
fairs where lack of efficiency and waseful handling
of the publcs funds wreak SO much havoc as here
The existence of the valley itself depends the
proper funccnng of irrigation affairs. Water spells
life for Imperial Valley and whatever impedes its
economical and general distribution nenaces the vel
fare OF the men, women and children within its
fines.
Possibly The whole sorry mess has come about
through incompetency and indifference and not
through definite policy of defiance for the peoples
rights Be that as it the fact remains that the
grand jury makes strong, astounding accusations of
misconduct and inefficiency which certainly should be
probed further by the officials whose duty is spon
sor the peoples rights.
Neither words minced in referring to the COR
duct OF school affairs. AS a community, justly
proud of superior schools and the high standard
perhaps this very pride that has prevented many from
broachng this subject long this. The very fact
that the taxpayers more willing to dig down in
their pockets for school money than any other ore
thing has probably had something to do with bringing
about an era OF extravaganza which has called forth
stops to consider that Is cents of every dollar
pay for taxes goes into the school fund it is rather
remarkable that get through as easy as we do
the tax money question.
All along the line, other departments and other
bodies seems to be either funcOnng far below par or
in wasteful manner according to the detailed report
file at the county clerks office With few eX-
mens in the handling of pubic business and the
public's money.
The incoming jury faces grave unusually
heavy responsibility if the desired relief is to be at
tanned The jury OF 1923 has hewn the way-the Jury
Of 1924 must take up the fight for the peooes rights
and carry it to triumphal conclusion.
The taxpayers OF Imperial County demand it,