The San Francisco call., 1896-03-15
Testimony Before the Grand
Army Court of In
quiry.
GEN. THOMPSON AS A WITNESS.
Declined to Answer Some Leading
Questions-Report of Expert
Daniels.


preferred by Lyon Post against the man
agement of the Veterans Home held two
long sessions yesterday.
The court is composed of Judge A. j.
Buckles Of Solano County, Judge ]. M.
Walling of Nevada County, Judge r. f.
Crawford of Sonoma, Major William Haw-
ley, U. S. A. (retired) and General W. H.
Pratt.
Among witnesses examined were J. c..
Currier, J. J. Scoville, d. w. C. Thompson
and George A. Norton.
The principal witness of the day was
General Thompsons sex-commandant of the
Veterans Home. 1t was ascertained that
his testimony was somewhat reluctant and
evasive concerning the authorship of the
resolution adopted by Lyon Post. He de-
clined to state whether he had anything to
do with the preparation of the charges.
His answer was that the question was a
''mixed proposition" whereupon there
was general laugh. To many other ques-
tions he declined TO answer on the advice
of his counsel, Judge Talcott, and refused
to tell the court why he declined to an
sWer.
3 The charges were considered seriatim by
the court, and the witness questioned as to
his knowledge of the truth or falsity OF
each. Concerning the charge of dishonesty
in the purchase of supplies pointed in
quiries were addressed to the witness, and
he was pushed steadily toward a specific
statement. Finally after much hesitation
he replied that Director Currier had bought
two plows in San Francisco that could
have been purchased for 10 per cent less at
Napa. He would not say that 1t was a
corrupt purchase.
o. 49,, ,1a1, Il +bo4 +1ar lnvrv
were purchased by the committee In regu-
lar order from well-known firm,
The eX-commandant also testified that
many other articles were purchased IN San
Francisco at prices 10 or 10 per cent more
than the market price at Napa. He also
said boss painter was employed to favor
George II. Thomas Post when the work
could have been done for much less money
by competent painters at the home. The
witness thought Lincoln Post was about
as active as Thomas Post in looking for
places for men.
The commander of Lyon Post, George A.
Norton, was called as a witness. 1t was
disclosed in the testimony that Comrade
Calhoun introduced the resolutions charg-
ing mismanagement, but did so by request.
The post commander said he ruled out of
order the motion to have the resolutions
published. He knew nothing about the
action of the post in printing the resolu-
tionS. Copies were sent to the Governor
and others as directed.
The court had the room cleared to con-
slider the charges, and after deliberating
for half hour opened the doors and an
nounced that the matter had been taken
into consideration and that full report
would be submitted in due time to the
department commander. 1t was the gen
eral sentiment of the Grand Army COM
rades in attendance that the report OF
the court would not sustain the charges.
Following is a synopsis of the report of
Comrade Philo Z. Daniels, an expert ap-
pointed by the court of inquiry. 1t was
read at the morning session.
The investigation covers period of
about three years accounts, EN- bracing in
that time nearly three thousand entries.
The report says:
l crosschecked the cashbook from the bank
book and the vouchers and ascertained that
the receipts and disbursements of the same
were correct. The balances were drawn monthly
and l found no lapse, each months accounts
OF receipts balancing exactly with each
months accounts of disbursements. The
method in use at the Office was orderly and
systematic. J. j. ScoVille, the present book
keeper, and ]. g. Currier, treasurer. employ the
books in general use in nearly all classes of
business.
the first entries, dated April %, 1898, starting
in with the cash then already on hand in the
bank when Treasurer Currier assumed the du-
ties of his office. The total receipts from the
United States and State appropriations the
canteen farm, discounts, etc., up to M arch l,
1896, amount in the aggregate to $349, ,713 So,
and the EXPENDITURES covering the same pc
riod to 1897 1896 IL, leaving balance of
$11, 1928 10.
Warrants covering the amount appropriated
are clearly and accurately entered in the cash.
book under proper dates and appropriate head
ings, showing the source from which it was
derived, and | checked all such warrants with
the bank books OF the First National Bank of
San Francisco, proving that the same had been
promptly and correctly deposited therein from
time to time as they were received.
/ found the vouchers for all of the expendi-
lures, amounting to 1887 $50 IL, on file, num-
bered consecutively from one TO two thousand
and ninety-six, each and all of which CORE
spond with the numbers of warrants and
checks drawn in payment OF same.
found that all bills before being paid were
first approved by the auditing committee of
the board, after which their payment was
authorized by rollcal vote of the directors in
accordance with the bylaws, and such pay
ments were made first by warrant on the
treasurer signed by the president and secretary
of the association and made payable to the
creditor; and second, by check on First Ma
tional Bank signed by the president and treas
urer. So that for every bill paid there are in
reality three vouchers OH file, viz. the bill it.
self duly receipted, and the warrant on the
treasurer and the check on the bank, each
duly indorsed by the party to whom the pay
ment was made.
Particular examination of the receipts and
expenditures of the $4,000 appropriation of
the State for permanent Improvements was
made and the expert found that all the trans
actions in this respect were conducted as the
law directs and were approved by the State
Board of Examiners. A detailed account of
the expenditures accompanies the report.
In regard to pensions the report says: ''The
books OF the Treasurer show that on March i,
1896, he had SIC, $3.50 81 belonging to the PEN
sfoners at the home. OF this amount $50S5 20
is deposited on time deposit in the San Fran
cisco Savings Union and the balance, $5245 81,
deposited in the Sather Banking Company, SUBJ
ject TO the order of the members of the home
who are pensioners.
'sSince December l6 1888, the treasurer has
received the sum of $60,73l 80 and paid to
pensioners and dependent relatives $50 400 43.
Every dollar drawn out has been drawn by
draft or check of which there is record"
The expert finds that the San Francisco Office
is necessary for the economical maintenance
OF the home, and that $4,000 G year is saved by
having the Office in this City. Concerning the
canteen the expert finds that it has been a
source of profit rather than loss to the insti-
tuition.
The report contains a detailed statement OF
money expended for refurnishing five rooms
in the main buildings.
The expert is surprised at the magnitude OF
the work carried on by the directors and OIL
GERS at the headquarters OF the association in
San Francisco. Supplies are purchased by con-
tract, and records of purchase are transmitted
to the State Board of Examiners and National
Board of Directors. The expert cannot see
how II nnssible for the friends of the Qi-