The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-28
WAR WITH BLATCHLEY.
roNCLUpED FROM FIRST PAGE.l


out giving any just and lawful reason for
the delay, the board Of 1902 failed to order
the report printed. and IL was not until
board had partially changed. nearly
fifteen months after its submittal to the
Governor. that final action was taken on
the report"
PRINTING BOARDS LETTER.
The letter addressed by the state printing
board to Mr.. Blatchley is as follows:
1.-THE attention OF this board has been
directed to the fact that you have seen fit
10 interpolate into your report for 1901 and
1902, just appearing from the press. an
extended criticism of the Printing Board.
1.-The matter in question was never SUBJ
mitted to the board in accordance with the
law authorizing public printing, and its
Insertion, subsequent to the action of the
board authorizing the printing of your re-
port submitted, is in violation not only
OF the letter but of the spirit OF the law,
which specifically provides that the Board
OF Public Printing may eliminate from
any report such matters as they may deem
unnecessary to be published.
The board not only questions the pro-
If IL were warranted, but desires to direct
your attention TO the fact that the incor-
rectness of the statements on which you
base your conclusions therein given Is
demonstrated by the official report of this
board.
I'm view of the fact that the interpola-
tion of the matter in question Is illegal and
unwarranted, the board has. by formal
action this day taken, directed that in
copies of the document still TO be issued
It be stricken from your report.
1.-The board desires in this connection to
call your attention to the facts relative to
the delay in the printing of your report as
they appear OF record in the minutes OF this
board, and as they are readily remembered
by members of the present board and their
predecessors thereon
to your letter OF transmittal, Jan. Is,
1902 1t was first brought TO the attention
OF the printing board at the meeting held
on May 3. 1902 The possibility OF publish
ing all the reports due during the fiscal
year within the appropriation available
for that period was, however. informally
discussed by the board during the inter-
vening time. One report from your depart
ment had already been paid for out of the
funds available during that fiscal year. As
q matter OF fact, the reports due from the
State Board OF Health and the State Board
OF Agriculture for the year 1901 were not
published during the fiscal year ending
Oct. 81, 1902. which account there was
returned TO the treasury something in ex-
cess of $4,000 from this fund. This was a
condition, however. that could not be fore
seen by the board at the time mentioned.
The re- ID of the board on May 3, 1902,
shows that the clerk was further directed
to investigate the condition of the printing
fund, and also make an estimate OF the
probable expense out of this fund during
the remainder of the present fiscal year.
COPY NOT COMPLETE.
AT the meeting OF the board on June
the record shows the following proceeding:
Upon the statement of the clerk that in
Ming copy with the Governor for his an
nual report for 1901. as shown in the table
of contents. the geologist had failed to file
COPY for the state mine inspectors report
state gas inspectors report, report on low
er carboniferous limestone of southern In
diana, maps, etc, the board unanimously
decided that tae copy for such report be
referred back 70 the Governor until all the
copy had been filed, when the matter OF
printing the report would be considered
Prom this paragraph IL Is apparent that
ND 10 this time there had been no compli-
ance on your part with the law requiring
the full text of reports intended for .publi-
cation 10 be filed with and passed upon by
the board. and il would have been impossible
for the board legally TO have authorized the
printing of your report prior to at this
time on account OF your own delay. On june