The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-08-28

Handling By tho state highway
Of surplus war equip
ment donated TO the state by the
federal government has resulted in
a loss Of $S4.92S.O6, according to the
highway department audit recently
completed by o. b. Lund, auditor
for the state board Of auditors which
checks on the records Of all state
institutions.
For purposes Of the audit the
highway department was divided
into three divisions, Lund said, the
first being the highway operating
department covering administration
Of the construction and maintenance
Of highways: the second the equip
ment department which has charge
of highway automobiles and war
supplies, and the third the motor
vehicle registration department..
Commenting on the equipment de-
partment Lund said: THE war SUR
plus materials received from the
government have been disposed Of
i except the shop buildings. a tractor.
IA road roller and few army trucks
land automobiles that are of Qucy-
Itionable value. These items are not
considered in the balance sheet for
the reason that experience has
shown the selling cost IL more than
is received for them.
A Wisc DectsiOm
while in theory 1t has appeared
attractive for the highway commits
sion to receive the surplus war ma
terials for the transportation costs
it has been unable to reimburse the
state from sales and earnings for
highway funds invested III the handl-
ing Of same, and believe 1t has
mado a wise decision in discountine
the business and closing tina. branch
OF Its activity"
Considerable attention is given b.
the report to the operation or tht
motor vehicle registration office. thu
funds of which are In bad shape b,
reason Of heavy expenditures FOL
office equipment. The money fol
these purchases was taken from
other funds. Lund pointed GU: tina
{ the 1926 legislature appropriated
, $46.325 per annum for the genera
! expenses of the motor vehicle de
! partment. (which if construed tn,
, Same as the appropriations made b.
the legislature for other state de
D partments. would be the maximum
annual expense OF the highway com
mission for carrying on the admins
trative branches of the department
G During this audit period Of /
months an average OF $1,000 pc
z month has been used from highwa
department operating funds TO NEE
the increased expenses Of the motto
n vehicle registration department. r
II ~. .i~x n. a "a
0 way operating fund caused by pay
: ment OF motor vehicle registratiO
c bills, the department is charging tn
administration costs of the roa
y maintenance department direct I
the highway construction funds
This seems to be IN evasion Of II,
. intent Of the appropriations mad
! BY the legislature
9 Work Has Increased
u The appropriations for the mote
= vehicle department have not bee
. sufficient to meet the expenses n
Icurred during the period, Luu
pointed out. The deficit has bee
!! paid from the highway opcratin
J. appropriations In the, amount .
!" &16.76i92. In addition to this the
|. were unpaid bills on file for spcci
= agents ssllary,and travelling expens,
4. amounting to $623.l9 incurred du
y ing this period.
81 The increase In the number
rs motor vehicles registered In Il
II state during the last two years II,
added to the work of the departm
IN There have also been new Ind
u records added which require co
81 iSi0erable work and expense, enabli.