The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-07-28
OTHERS HAD NOT ARRIVED
SMITH, MEWBORNE AND EOGE
HARRIS SUMMONED.
SMITH txpfCTtD 20 REACH HERE TODAY
Yesterday Devoted to an Examination OF Pfe'
Fusion Records How the Extra
$4,000 of The Experiment
Station WIS Used

AS the committee investigating the
Agricultural Department had already
examined the more important witnesses
to be had ON call, little of particular IN
terest was developed yesterday. Indeed
considering the complexity and volume
of the matters of record to be examined.
Nessrs. Brown and Gattis have made
phenomenal progress in the three days
Of the investigation thus far. The raw
material that the investigators found
awaiting them was a fat volume of re-
ports of the meetings of the board for the |
past two years, bundles on bundles OF
vouchers. nearly all of them with no
itemized bills attached and the account
book Of the Secretary to the board.
To go through all these, examine them,
note matters that seem to demand ex-
PLANTATION and then get light on these
points from the witnesses, is no small
matter. Necessarily the committee has
been compelled to make its way as 1t
goes, but the look at the books IS
proving highly instructive.
AS the witnesses to be examined touch
ing the fusion administration We're abb
sent and not to be had the. committee
went back for an incurson into the
management Of the Department affairs
by the old Democratic board and Com
missioner Patterson was examined touch
ing it.
1t was found that under the former
Democratic regime it had been required
that all vouchers have bill of particu-
lars attached. that members of the board
resident in Raleigh had not received
anything for expenses on the days when
the board was in session. that members
from distance had not felt called to
drive around the city in hacks and
charge the fare up to the Department.:
that no expense accounts We're allowed
to members, except mileage and that
barring one or two small charges for
Injuries, the administration had been
clean, economical and business-like. 1t
is fact indeed that the management
of Department affairs has never been
gotten down quite to rock bottom
economy, because it has been blessed
with abundant funds, and it is not inn
probable that certain legislation looking
to greater economy may grow out of the
present investigation. The temptation
to put on useless snpernumeraries must
always remain so long as there are
idle funds wherewith to pay them, and
as the courts decision will permit of it
part of the funds may ultimately be put
to other uses than those that now OBJ
tain.
MIR. PATTERSON EXAMINED.
Commissioner s. l.. Patterson being
called and sworn, was examined with
regard to some entries in lump for ex-
penses incurred in the year 1893 i'll the
matter of holding farmers Institutes.
At the request Of the committee the
itemized statement of expenditures was
produced, submitted and found correct.
In looking through the accounts ON file
it was found that several times under
the new regime matters that did not seem
to the committee quite proper as travel
ing expenses had been rendered as Il
part of expense account. 1t was found
that twice at least the accounts of Prof.
Massey contained items Of "$1.OO for
seat in parlor car" when the accountant
was out holding farmers institutes. Re-
ferring to the old regime, Chairman
Brown said:
Il find no expenses here for parlOr
cars. Were items of that sort allowed
while travelling and holding farmers in
stitutesY"
II do not think there were any," Mr..
Patterson replied.
'In travelling at the States expense
do you think parlor car ticket should
be charged to the Statey
Il think the individual should pay for
luxuries, not the State
Il find from June. 1897, to June, 80,
it was customary for members Of the
board to charge expenses while in Rai-
eigh, resident members charging ~ a
day for expenses. Was this rule ever
observed under your administration"
ut was not The law was changed
giving members "a per day and expenses
instead Of 81 per day and mileage as
under the old board"
..We find that ]. NJ. Allen was paid
extra for selecting and inspecting car
pets while an employe of the depart
ment. Was there an instance of such
in your administration!
Il think not"
"Do you think such course was
right or proper!'
Il do not"
The matter Of farmers institutes was
next taken up, work that was permitted
to decline on the shoulders of DIR. ID.
Reid Parker by the fusion board. 1t
will be recalled, at good round yearly
salary.
"What was the average cost OF
farmers institutes during your term
was asked of Mr.. Patterson.
''$16.4O."
"Was there an institute holder EN-
ployed on a salaryT'
mo; on some occasions specialist
was employed"
'Was it the custom to pay the A. Il NJ
College professors extra for holding in.
stitutesY'
"Only their expenses.
"How many fertilizer inspectors were
employed?'
Three, besides two clerks and a man