The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-08-28
HANDLING OF SURPLUS WAR EQUIPMENT
COST STATE LARGE sum, AUDIT SHOWS

Handling by the state highway
partment Of surplus war equip
ment donated to the state by the
federal government has resulted In
a loss of $84.928.O6. according to the
highway department audit recently
completed by o. II. 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 construct ion 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
| except the shop buildings. n tractor.
l 4 road roller and Il few <lrmy trucks
and automobiles that are of ques-
Itionable value. These items are not
considered in the balance sheet for
the reason that experience has
shown the selling cost Is more than
is received for them.
4 Wise DecisiOn
"While in theory it has appeared
attractive for the highway commits
sion TO receive the surplus war ma
terials for the transportation costs.
II has been unable to reimburse the
Estate frOM sales and earnings for
highway funds invested In the handl-
ing Of same, and I believe 1t has
made a wise decision in disconnting
the business and closing that branch
lof Its activity"
Considerable attention is given by
the report to the operation OF the
motor vehicle registration office, the
funds Of which are in bad shape by
reason of heavy expenditures for
office equipment. The money fOi
these purchases was taken from
other funds. Lund pointed out that
the 1925 legislature appropriated
$i6,325 per annum for the general
expenses Of the motor vehicle de-.
partment (which IL construed the
same as the appropriations made by
the legislature for other state de.
partments, would lie the maximum
annual expense OF the highway com
mission for carrying on the admins.
trative branches Of the department
During this audit period OF /,
months an average of $1,000 pei
|, month has been used from highwa,
department operating funds TO mce
the increased expenses Of the motor
! vehicle registration department. II
; make up the shortage Of the high
D way operating fund caused by pay
ment of motor vehicle registration
E bills. the department Is charging tn,
! administration costs of the roaa
: maintenance department direct I,
z the highway construction funds
This seems TO he an evasion Of tn.
. intent of the appropriations mad
: By the legislature
Work Has Increased
The appropriations for the motto
: vehicle department have not beel
: sufficient to meet the expenses In
curred during the period, Lun
pointed out. 1.-THE deficit has bee
y paid from the highway Operatin
y appropriations in ttla amount q
: 1l6.7S492. III addition to this ther
). were unpaid bills on file for specia
,; agents salary and travelling expense
= amounting to $623ls incurred dur
: ing this period.
!. The increase In the number Q
Is motor vehicles registered In tn
N state during the last two years ma
added to the work OF the depart me
in There have also been new indie
"a records added which require cor
" siderable work and expense. enabli..