The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-03-29
DODGE CITY HOME.
It is to Get an 'Investigation" Also
at an Early Date

An investigation of the past manage
ment of the state soldiers home at
Dodge City is probably one Of the first
things which will be done by the new
board of directors composed of Thomas
H. Grisham of Cottonwood Falls, chair
man, ]. A. Davis of Topeka, secretary,
and r. N. Kerr of Anderson county,
treasurer
The board of directors are in the city
today having made the first official Wis
it to the home Friday and Saturday.
Complaints were made to the board
alleging that improper food has been
served to the inmates of the home dur
ing the administration of Capt. G. NJ.
Cunningham of Osborn, as command
ant 1t is also alleged that H. Juneau
Republican member of the board of
directors under Governor MOrriIrs ad-
miniStratiOn profited by irregular prac-
tages at the institution last summer.
Mr.. Grisham said today:
Some of the inmates of the home
charge that the vouchers for lumb Der
show large quantity which was pur-
chased and not used in the buildings.
AS to the truth of this statement, 1 am
not prepared to say. A small per cent
of the inmates of the home make these
charges which are denied by a great
majority of others.
las a matter of fact while there are
those who make complaints constantly,
we find that a majority of the members
and inmates of the institution deny the
allegations.
I'VE found that the administration
of L. G. VanVoorhis of Lawrence as
commandant has been beyond criticism
in every particular. The sanitary con-
dition of the institution is frst-class
and no complaints have been lodged
against him. The criticism seems to
be mainly directed against Mr.. Cum
ningham- l do not know what founda-
ton there is in the charges against Mr..
Juneau"
However little dependence the direc-
to the lumber deal there is every reason
to believe that an investigation will fol-
low. The directors will meet in Dodge
City next Monday and will begin an
examination of the records and ac-
counts If any indication of crooked
ness is found then the directors will
institute an official investigation, sum-
mon witnesses, take testimony and en-
deavOr to go to the bottom of the
whole transaction. The directors are
not disposed to remove the officers and
employees of the institution summarily
but should any Irregularities be discov-
cred the positions will be Immediately
filled by new men.
Commandant Cunningham resigned
under fire. in October Thomas Shu-
Ter and H. Juneau, the two remaining
members of the board elected Mr.. Van
worms, the Populist member of the
! board and he has since that time filed
the position of commandment
John Beaver of Jetmore, William
Incl of Dodge City and T. B. Murphy
of Corbin, Summer county, are candi-
dates for the place
Captain Cunningham seeks to have
Frank Staffin of Osborn appointed to
the position and has written a long let
ter to Webb McNan asking him to use
his influence for Staffins benefit The
letter has been filed in the governors
office with other applications for posi-
lions at the home
The directors are just now in guam
dairy with reference to APPROPRIATIONS
and called upon Attorney General Bowie
today to secure his opinion upon GER
tain points.
Congress makes certain appropria-
tions for state soldiers homes as does
the legislature. The directors desire to
know whether the congressional appro-
priation is included in the amount set
apart by the state Of Kansas The law
provides that the congressional appro-
priation shall be first used. Thinking
that perhaps the amounts might be
separated and used for other purposes
in improving the home the directors
sought Mr.. Boyle'S advice. He holds
that the congressional appropriation is
included IN the amount specified by
the legislature and that the two cannot
be separated for any purpose