Imperial Valley press., 1934-05-31
EDITORIAL PAGE
and
FEATURES
SOILED LAUNDRY COMES OUT

In Tuesdays issue this column had
something to say about the soiled laun-
dry in the closet of the Imperial 1rriga-
ton District.
Some of it was exposed that very day
by the auditor for the district, an account
of which appeared in last nights issue.
The farmer on the ditch bank, the
merchant in the city, and all who pay
taxes into the Imperial Irrigation Dis
trict may we'll wonder why money re-
ceived by the district was not turned into
the treasury until period Of two years
had elapsed, and then only after an eX
planation had been asked by the auditor.
What would a merchant do, for in
stance. when a clerk, who received an in
stallment on a purchase, failed to turn
in the money for two year period?
Any merchant, and many who are not
merchants, know what the answer is.
The instance where two years elapsed
between payment and deposit was only
one of several cited by the auditor.
q When the latter was making his state
ment to the directors on Tuesday, Ira
Aten, director from the El Centro divis-
ion said, "Do you mean to tell me this
has been going on and we didn't know
anything about it ~
Mr.. Aten was greatly shocked by the
revelation. That is not sarcasm. Mr..
Aten really was shocked and distressed
and repeated his statement in this office
yesterday when he asked that letter
in which he includes an attack on Evan
T. Hewes and Harry w. Horton with an
explanation of some errors Mr.. Hewes
had made, be printed. He was told that
portion of the letter correcting some
minor errors by Hewes would be print
ed, but that portion attacking the other
gentlemen could not be. He insisted on
all or none and left with his letter.
The errors by Mr. Hewes consisted of
stating that the old board Q924) had
been indicted. He should have stated an
accusation was brought against them.
An indictment is punishable by fine or
Imprisonment. Penalty in the case of an
accusation is limited to removal from
office
Mr. Hewes also stated that the present
audit is the first since 1924. To this Mr..
first COMPLETE audit since 1924.
Mr.. Aten could not give any reason
why land sales had not been included in
previous audits. He stated the auditor
had not been told to audit land sales
Asked why the auditor had not been so in
structed, Mr.. Aten could give no answer
except that such instructions had not
been given.
The farmer on the ditch bank, the mer-
chant in the city and all others who pay
taxes, may we'll ask why land sales were
not included in the audit.
When an audit is made of any business
it includes ALL the resources of the bus
mess. There is no point in exempting any
portion of the funds unless there is some
thing in a particular fund which it is de-
10 L. L. Fl,1o o,,1i
elations, as yet incomplete, show there
was much in the land sales funds which
it was desired to keep hidden.
Hewes, with w. E. Young and Al
Kalin, is responsible for the audit of the
land sales, with its startling exposure.
No wonder those responsible for such
conditions as the auditor unearthed want
to have Hewes recalled. Were We, or
anyone else in their shoes, we too would
be hot for the recall of Hewes.
If the people-the farmer on the ditch