The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-05-24

force, and began to give the oversight
ana attention to the operation OF the
motel winch should have been given by
some one from the beginning He
sought to reconcile differences among
employees, and gave his personal at
tention to seeing that guests were
property served. He ordered the re-
ceipts of the hotel sent daily to the
railroad treasurer, and had just start
ed upon a thorough investigation OF
the finances when he was unexpectedly
called 10 New York on urgent private
business. This was early in August,
and when he returned, three weeks
later, the season was practically over.
The result of the operation of the
hotel by the railroad for the season
Of 1903 was a loss of $G,486.97.
The hotel property was bought for
$4,000, $4,000 OF which remains UNI
paid. and the company spent $685.
73l.2o In repairs, renewals and furn-
iShings.
In our Judgment the hotel should
not have been purchased, and it IL
clear that ii was very poorly managed.
Alleged Mismanagement.
A. AS To Rebates.
r. Generally.
c. Mileage Books not Paid for in
full
u. Mileage Books missing.
T.. Work in shops for Private Par
ties,
A. Az To Rebates This charge seems
to be based upon repaYmcnts to Ger
tain parties OF portion of froights
Maid for movement OF cotton. rhc
general freight agent testified that
through oversight cotton In carloads
was billed at the rate issued for less
than carload shipments, and that the
excessive amounts so collected were
refunded by voucher, The items OF re-
payment SO FAR as we have been able
10 ascertain. were rs follows:
Jan. 1909. j. L.. Latham & Co, 81 $3.50
Jan. 1904, j. II, Latham Il Co. 1h00
IAN. 1904. IL. Weill d Bro. llo.4N
Feb. 1aO4 j. l.. Latham & Co. 1900
L; would seem that the first error I'm
January 1908, should have called at
tention TO the improper rate-sheets In
the hands Of the agents. and the repe~
tition OF the same error three times I'm
1903 should have been prevented.
Is. The Acknowledgement Generally.
We have we thing covered this
ground SO fully in detail that there Is
nothing more TO be said under tais
heading.
{. Mileage Books Not Paid for in
FUN
We find that n lady school teacher
residing i'm one town and teaching IN
another. bought one 500-mile book on
the inStallment plan, and that she
made various payments ON the same,
finally surrendering the unused pof-
ton of the book. 1t is shown that the
mileage used was paid for In fuIl. rms
may not be regular, but we are unaole
10 find other sales made on this plan,
and we do not see anything corrapt IN
this transaction. 1t is TO be sunpo 'ed
that some one was responsible 70 the
company for the deferred paym eats.
D. Mileage Books Missing
we think this is fully explained by
the statement in reference TO sale OF
mileage books by the superintendent.
e Work I'm shops for Private Par
ties.
1t appears from the evidence that
Mr.. Bryan had some work done in
The shops FOR himself which he could
/ not get done elsewhere. and that he
F, paid full price for it.
] 1t occurs TO us that the president
of the railroad should be entitled TO
| little courtesies of this kind without
arousing oaptious criticism. We see
incthing I'm this matter to critcise
Signing of Vouchers after Receiver
| ship.
It seems to US that we. have moth
/ ing whatever to do with the charge
| that Mr. Bryan signed vouchers dur
| lll2 the VI WI -AiN1oSN'
| receiver. At that time Mr.. Bryan
/ was not in any way connected with
/ the operation of the Atlantic and
/ North Carolina railroad. and we have
no concern in his deeds or words as
! a private citizen. 1t would occur 10
US that the shoe is on the other foot,
and that the opportunity given out
/ siders TO tamDer with the papers of
! the receiver indicates a state Of az
| fairs which might call for an indie
pendent investigation. Since we are
| dong our work for the State admins
| tration and not for the Federal re-
| ceiver. this matter does not seem TO
| come within the scope of our enquiry.
! The expert accountants who have
made a searching examination Of the
! books and records OF the company,
| including every voucher for disburse-
| ments from July 1st, 1893, to March
| 31st, 1894 were instructed to call to
| the attention OF the committee any
expenditures that might appear irfeg-
ular III any way or to need explana-
ton. Vouchers aggregating $1,000,