The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-11
PADDED PAY ROLLS.
Santa Fe Discovers IrreguIari-
ties in Leavenworth Office.

According to reports. received from
Leavenworth there is trouble in Santa
Fe railway circles in that city. A body
of secret service men, including H. H.
Germain and E. ]. Price of the Santa
Fe general offices in this city, are now
in LeaVenworth and it is stated that
they have the officials of the road at
that point under their constant surveil-
lance. c. c. Webb and w. W. Strick
land, travelling auditors from the office
Of J. W. White in this city, are also in
LeavenWorth and are said to be check
ing up the books of the agent at that
point for the purpose of discovering
discrepancies which are reported to ex-
ist in both the passenger and freight
offices.
Although none of the local officials Of
the road will say anything in regard to
the trouble at LeaVenwOrth for publica
tion it is understood that the pay roll
at that point has been padded and it Is
for this reason that the investigation is
being made. No arrests have yet been
made but it is rumored that ]. Q.
Thomas, general agent for the Santa F'e
at LeavenWorth, has resigned his posi-
tion, has been checked out. and will
shortly be succeeded by another agent
The report of Mr.. Thomas resignation
and connection with the above mention
ed affair, comes as a surprise to his
many friends here. Mr.. Thomas is we'll
known here, having up to a short time
ago been employed as rate clerk in the
general freight department at the COM
oany's offices in this city. Every rail-
road man in Topeka is well acquainted
with jack Thomas and many of them
refuse to believe that he is capable of
any dishonesty. Every one believes that
when the final investigation is made it
will be found that Mr.. Thomas had
nothing to do with or even knowledge
of any dishonest dealings that may have
been carried on in his office. There is
not a doubt, however, but some one at
that point has been robbing the COM
pany and the investigation is supposed
to reveal the guilty man.
This mornings Leavenworth Times
quoted Mr.. Thomas as saying: You can
rest assured Jack Thomas conscience
is clear I came home this morning
from St. Louis and upon my arrival
'phoned to the Office 1 was told that
auditors were here making an investi-
cation and I Immediately went down
there. One of them said: Jack I am
sorry; but we have to do it.. told
him 1 wanted thorough investigation.
I do not fear the result. I have beea in
the employ of the Santa F'e since 1876
and am personally known to every Off
cial of the road. 1t may be that some
little mistakes have been made, but
think everything will come out all right.
Every tub must stand on its own 1cJ-
tom I am of age and willing to stand
for everything 1 have done and am sure
my accounts will be found absolutely
correct No have not resigned, nor has
my successor been appointed So far as
l know L am still agent.
"Yes, the money was sent here for
the men in the roads employ. The
chief clerk made out the pay roll.
know nothing about pay rolls having
been padded. The coming of auditors
here is not uncommon. They are here
1 think under the impression that
something is wrong, but 1 think every
thing SO far as 1 am concerned viii
come out all right. They will finish
this evening. They asked me a few
questions, which 1 answered, and then
1 left Yes. I am under bond to the
railway company for a proper perform
ance of my duties. OF course I should
not like to have this matter published
at the present time, as an injustice will
be done me. When it is all over 1 will
make a statement which will prove
NV inpOoencaD