Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-05-04
That estigation. /"

Dono uoIe Interesting lhttIidi Dds |
come to light in the closing hours Of
the investigation Of Regents Hoffman
and Limbocker Of the State Agricul-
tural college. Mr.. Hoffman himself
was on the stand. An attempt was
made to again establish the legality
Of the July, 1897, meeting through
letters from Harrison Kelly in which
he expressed himself as concurring
with the action then taken as in ac-
cordance with his sentiments. The
letters were filed but the committee
gave the inference that they would
count for but little.
The third charge was taken up.
Hoffman denied it entirely, as he had
distributed no campaign literature
nor sought to influence the political
ideas OF students. He admitted, how
ever correspondence with B. 0.
Flower as to employment of faculty
members.
Regent Limbocker was called to the
stand and made denial Of political
campaigning among students by vir-
tue Of his regency.
The fourth charge was opened with
Hoffman on the stand. He made a
general denial as to the making out
of the eleventh biennial report with
intent to deceive. He stated that the
questioned tabulated salary schedule
Of the report, which fails to show the
salaries actually paid by these re-
gents, was merely a table to show the
salaries the law provided for the vari-
Gus officers. He could not state
whether the salaries paid the profess
sors for the months of July and Au-
gust, 1897, were from that years APP
preparations or the next. He evaded
it by stating that they were from the
general college fund.
Charge 5-Concerning the $500
agricultural museum, was next taken
up. The entire fund was drawn from
the state treasurer, about 1928 prop
erly expended, and $72 still in the
treasurer's hands, not yet properly
earned. MIR. Hoffman stated that in
approving the voucher containing
said $72 he had no knowledge Of
"technical unlawfulness' in so doing.
Charge 6-Concerning employment
Of secretary and of executive secre-
tary and salaries beyond that fixed by
law, developed more juggling with
salaries than any preceding charge.
The evidence brought out that Ora.
ham had been paid $500 more than
provided by law when he performed
no additional services; that Lee, priv
ate secretary to the president, receiv'
ed an additional $3.50 when he did nc
more than his predecessor in office,
at the prescribed salary OF 1920.
Regent Limbocker was recalled or
the $50. 46 cream bill. The debt was
contracted by the farm department
and remains unpaid. The commodi
ty, however, was turned over to thu
dining hall by their system of vouch
ers. The transfer made from the din
ing hall to the farm department, an
nulled, according to this remarkable
method, the debt, Of the dining hall
leaving the farm department the deb
tor to the Jensen creamery.
Mr.. Hoffman submitted the treas
urer's report and spent some time il
making an explanation of the bool
keeping methods to the committee
The testimony brought forth but lit
tie save that in several cases none,
had been borrowed at the first Of thu
month and bills and salaries remain
ed unpaid until the middle or later
interest accruing in the meantime
The testimony further developed tina
at the time certain bills remained un
paid Prof. Walters was drawing on
' 81 900 book store fund. Regen
Limbrocker on $500 dining hal
fund and President Will on a $l,0O
contingent fund, use thus being mad
: Of money while unpaid claims wer
delayed. While Hoffman stated tina
> there was no depicting of the genera
fund, he admitted the drawing {
such money.
Regent Daughters was called in re
buttal. He testified first that the DIT
ties of Lee and Graham were not il
crpasod. sacond that No uuorum Wp