The New Law Is Very Vague

Soldier's Relief Commission Are Muddled

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COUNTY AUDITOR'S BILL

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Is Not Explicit-Not Certain How They Can Get Pay for Per Diem and Expenses

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The Soldier's Relief Commission, composed of Messrs. G. L. Hoyt, of Lodi, C. C. Carr of Ypsilanti and Jas. Kelley, of Manchester, held its monthly meeting Saturday. Before the commission went into session an interesting discussion arose as to whether under the new county auditors law, the commission had any authority to draw warrants upon the county treasurer which he was bound to honor, and also whether the county clerk had any right under the said law to issue his warrant on the county treasurer for their per diem and mileage. 

The provision of the new law which led County Treasurer Braun to raise. the question is as follows:
"Said board of auditors shall have all the rights, powers, duties and liabilities relating to said claims, which now belong to and are exercised by the board of supervisors in said county, except claims arising from the action of the superintendents of the poor, drain commissioners and claims for extra compensation for the services of county officers, and no bills against the county of Washtenaw shall be audited, allowed or paid with the above exceptions in any other manner than is provided for in this act."

The fact that certain claims are especially expected and the claims for soldiers' relief which stand on practically the same basis are not excepted was thought by some to bring the warrants of the relief commission within the control of the board of auditors. It was finally decided, however, ever, after consultation with the prosecuting attorney, that this ct does not i nany way interfere with the regularity of the warrants of the soldiers' relief commission as the supervisors themselves have no supervision over these warrants or power to pass upon them in any way.

The question as to the right of the county clerk to draw a warrant upon the county treasurer for the per diem and mileage of the members of the commission was not so clear. The question arose also in this connection whether the clerk had any authority under this new law to draw a warrant for the salary of the county officials without the claim first being passed by the board of auditors. There seemed to be considerable difference of opinion on this matter. Prosecuting Attorney Duffy told the commission he would look up the question as to the right of the county clerk to draw warrants on the county treasurer for their per diem and mileage and give them his opinion later. There are apparently several things in this new law which are not entirely clear.