Summary

The General Accounting Office has made an audit of the Hudson Champlain Celebration Commission pursuant to the Budget and Accounting Act, 1921 (31 U.S.C. 53), and the Accounting and Auditing Act of 1950 (31 U.S.C. 67). Our audit was performed in Washington, D.C., and was completed in May 1960. The audit included an examination of financial transactions to the extent deemed appropriate in view of the nature and volume of the transactions and also such other auditing procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances.

The activities of the Commission were financed by funds appropriated by the Congress. Congress appropriated $75,000 to the Commission for operating expenses. At May 11, 1960, $74,993 had been expended and the remaining balance of $7 was withdrawn. The principal operating expenses were (1) $29,793 for salaries of staff members, (2) $15,684 for travel of Commission members and for car rental and expenses related to the visit of Princess Beatrix, and (3) $17,167 for contractual services which included photographs, press-clipping services, hotel accommodations for the Princess and her party, and printing the final report of the Commission. The fiscal operations of the Commission were performed by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, for which a charge of $3,571 was made. The financial statement was prepared by the National Park Service to show the status of the Hudson-Champlain Celebration Commission at the date of its termination on February 29, 1960. We adjusted this statement to show the liquidation of the remaining obligations ($5,554) of the Commission from March 1 through May 11, 1960. In our opinion the statement presents fairly the receipts and expenditures of the Commission in conformity with the principles and standards of accounting prescribed by the Comptroller General of the United States.