The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-14
Total 49,. 49,. as7.SS $780, So

There were a few other items on
the bill which were not checked, be-
cause the city records failed to have
copies of the publications for which
cnal ge was made. Through somebody S
neglect, they had not been pasted in
the scrap book kept by the city clerk.
1t seemed to be the sentiment of the
committee that it was not worth while
to pursue this investigation of the Cap
itars accounts under the Keller regime.
They are barred by the statute of limi-
tations. Hence only one month s
accounts were examined, sim
ply to get an idea of how far back in
the Capitals history discrepancies
might be found
When City Clerk Squires on We'd
nesday set about making a copy of the
State Journals bills for city printing
from August 1899 to August, 1900, he
was unable to find six of the bills. He
and his clerks put in some time search
ing through the files without results.
This is another sad commentary on the
way the city's business is conducted,
and shows lack of systematic manage
ment. To supply the deficiency, the
State Journal voluntarily brought its
ledgers and files to the committee
meeting and all of the missing ac-
counts were checked item by item.
The committee had a similar exper-
fence with the June, 1902. bill of the
Daily Capital. The original bill was
missing from the city clerks files, and
the Capital had to supply duplicate
bill.
After completing the checking of
bills. the committee talked over some
matters concerning their forthcoming
report.
mr.. Capper of the Capital said
Councilman Howe, Informed me this
evening that the Capital had no OBJ
lection to make to the overcharges
found by the committee in the Capitals
bills and that he was ready to draw a
check to make up the amount when
ever desired. He asked whether the
committee would like to present the
check with their report"
1t was decided by the committee
that the proper way would be TO nrSt
submit the report to the council Tor
approval. before settling with the cap
itaI company. One of the points which
the committee has not determined is
whether they will try to compel the
Capital to pay back the overcharges
between August, 1900 and April 1so1;
This amount is s24602 If the Capital
is required to pay this amount It's PHI
is s.. 363. SO; if it does not pay II, the
amount due is $S.117. 81
ME-. Howe was asked wnetneT M;
Gamers proposition to pay up included
the August. 1900-April, 1901 oVercharSe,
for which the present company may
be liable, as it assumed the August
contract in the following April
II don't think it does" said Mr..
Howe, although Mr.. Capper did not
make any positive statement in regard
to the matter"
Another matter which the committee
has not fully settled is the question OF
making an overcharge against the
Capital for spacing out the councll
proceedings. and charging the city
about 20 per cent more than the CON
tract would require If the proceedings
were set solid like the ordinances and
some news matter.
IF we are going to deduce for lead
ing" said Mr.. Green. chairman OF me
committee. cit means about $0OO more
for the city for the time the Capltal
has been doing the printing.
Il move' said Mr.. Howe, VINO says
he has n tendency to take the part or
the under dog, that we recommend
that the council make no reduction IN
the Capitals bill on account of leading.
Mr.. Capper says that all he asks or the
committee is that before it makes any
decision adverse to the Capital on this
leading matter, it give him a chance TO
be heard in the matter.
what reason would you give to the
council for such a Recommendation
In the first place. said Mr.. Howe,
Mr. Capper says the county and state
both allow matter to be leaded. IN the
second place, we have nothing in the
contract to prevent leading, and have
allowed it to go on without any objec-
ton. In the third place, Mr. kimbail,
our expert, says it is customary for
printers to lead such things, and that
it is geographically correct
Il don't think those are altogether
satisfactory reasons" said Mr. Green
I'VE don't know to a certainty that the
county and state permit leading; that
is hearsay. 1t is true there is nothing
in the contract to prevent leading, but
our examination of the work done by
the State Journal shows that that pa
per did not lead the council proceed
ings. and this would indicate that it