Omaha daily bee., 1906-06-03
LID STILL ON THE PASSES
RumoT that Auditor searls BAD RsOeded
from His Ruling is Erroneous.
LIGHTNING ROD CONTRACT is INVALID
Purport 60 Insure Building, but Ex-
animation Of Contracts show They
Are Not EnforctbIe I'm Action
at Law.
From a stan Correspondent

LINCOLN June z-(special.)-A stir was
created at the state House today by the
report that the anti-pass regulations and
the rule requiring state officers to present
receipts for railroad fare had been rudely
shattered by the Board OF Public Lands
and Buildings and State Auditor searle. II
was reported that Warder Beemer of the
penitentiary had been allowed claim for
taking a prisoner 10 Wayne county with
out the formality OF a receipt showing
that he had paid cash for railroad fare.
As Auditor Searle had formerly ruled that
railroad fare would not be allowed unless
receipts were forthcoming. everybody
pricked up their ears in expectation Of
throwing down Of the bars.
1T is true the claim has been allowed"
said Auditor Searle but the warden pre-
scented a receipt for his fare to Wayne
county and explained that on the way
back he rode on a freight train and II was
not convenient to get a receipt. He made
oath that he had expended the money on
the return trip I believed that he could
be placed on his honor for $40 and al
lowed the full claim The old rule requir-
ing receipts is stiil in force, but whenever
q proper showing has been made that rail-
road fare has been paid on official trips
will allow such claims. I allowed similar
claim for the sheriff Of Dawes county.'
The auditor said the receipt showed that
the warden had paid the fare Of himself
and prisoner to Wayne county and had
paid his own fare back TO Lincoln.
Bogus Insurance Contracts.
Insurance Deputy John L. Pierce has dis
covered bogus insurance contracts in ex-
istenoe In Nebraska. They are issued by
men who erect lightning rods and purport
TO guarantee the owners OF property
have been issued to farmers near Platts-
mouth and purport to indemnify them in
the sum of $500 for a period Of FIVE years.
A close examination Of the printed con-
tracts has caused Mr.. Pierce to make this
announcement:
IAN examination II the document showed
that II not only was not an Insurance
policy. but that IL was a fake as far as
being a guaranty agreement is concerned.
ana that II was not valid. binding con-
tract which can be enforced at law.
treasurer Not Robbed.
The report that Treasurer Mortensen had
been robbed at ORD was not admitted by
him on his return home today It was re-
ported that his house at Ord had been
robbed, but Mr.. Mortensen said he missed
nothing whatever from the place. The
house had been entered by boys, apparently.
who ransacked the place. but nothing was
missing The house has been vacant for
several months.
Penitentiary Crowded.
Warden Beemer has reported to the gov
ernor that the average number OF prisoners
IN the penitentiary during May was 35l.
One prisoner was placed In the dark
Role" for falsely reporting the quality
CT, his food. Seven were discharged
during the month, one remanded. by
order Of court one pardoned, one par
oled ard seven liberated by discharge or
Communication of sentence. leaving total
OF s54 IN the prison at the end OF the
month
Hardened ny the Governor.
Heber F Haney. serving twenty-days
Sail sentence for intoxication. was pardoned
by. Governor Mickey today at the request
sf Police Judge p. James Cosgrave in order
TO go home to his wife. who is reported to
be dying and who desired to see her hus-
band before she expires.
New Job Created.
In accordance with the action Of the
State Board OF Horticulture last winter,
that organization last night elected a
secretary. who is TO receive larger
salary than ever before paid for
the position. L. NJ. Russell OF Lincoln,
who has been the secretary. was reelected
20 the salaried position and will have desk
IN the Office OF Secretary w. r. Mellor OF
the State Board of Agriculture at the state
house
Railroad Agents VIII Meet.
The annual convention OF the local
agents Of the Missouri Pacific Railroad
company will be held in Lincoln on June
10 The principal agencies Of the COM
pany win be represented and at least half
hundred agents and traffic men will
come for the event No formal program
has been announced.
Insurance Companies to Appeal.
The question as to whether domestic In
surance companies shall be taxed upon
their capital stock. surplus and other
property az well as upon their gross pre-
miums will probably be submitted to the
courts in the near future.
The. matter was considered at meeting
Of the State Board OF Assessment this
naorning. at which were present County
Assessor Miller. T.. p. Funkhouser OF the
Farmers and Merchants insurance COM
pany and W. A. bindiey of the Security
I Mutual Insurance company The assessor
,edesired instructions in regard to the mat
ter, but the board decided that under the
ruling OF the supreme court It had nc
right TO instruct him as 10 what property