The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-01-24
LINE LIGHT ON
CAPITOL BOARD
-- --------
Public Examiners Report on Re
cent Examination Is Given
to Public.
GOVERNOR CLEARS THE
COMMISSION OF GRAFT
q
Many Acts Criticised, but No Evil
dence That Members Profted
by Irregularities.

Craft cannot be imputed to the
state capitol commission, according to
the report fled with Governor John
son by Public Examiner p. M. Kerst,
who has conducted thoro examina-
ton Of the commission s accounts and
records.
The report was given to the public
today by Governor johnson, and with
it statement Of his own findings and
conclusions. He has spent nine days
in reading and studying the report,
and his statement exonerates the COM
mission from any charges ~of collision
or dishonest action. He notes some
criticisms made by the examiner. but
none OF them are considered grave
enough to call for any further pro-
ceedings. The governor speaks espe-
clally Of the commissioners bills for
services. He has held up similar bills,
nothing regarding bills approved by
former governors. He concludes that
the contracts for elevators and for
freproofng were improperly let, and
that the state was not properly pro-
tected in some contracts by stipulation
as to unit values for extra work. He
also objects to the way in which coal
was purchased. He finds that the com.
mission never intended to finish the
building within the original appropria-
tion, but that as it stands the building
is eminently satisfactory. In other
regards he gives the commissioners
credit, and especially Charming Sea.
bury, for efficient care of the states
interests
The report is an immense document,
covering more than five hundred pages.
and going to the bottom of every trans
action in the commissions history.
1t makes many criticisms, large and
small. Loose methods of business, by
lost money, 'are inferred from the
record in several cases. All the COM
missioners are found to have charged
for too many days of service, and Mr..
Seabury,s overcharges are stated at
: So ,465, without including three bills
amounting to $1,475, which the ex-
aminer thinks improper.
7 Hundreds of letters are quoted to
throw light on the attitude of the com.
mission and the methods of business.
Comment and Summary.
The public examiner summarizes the
report and comments On it in letter
to Governor johnson. This letter states
that the examination covers the time
from the organization of the board in
1898 to July 81, 1906. The records of
the board and of the state auditor have
been compared and verified, and the
records of contracts and correspondence
have been assembled in serial form.
The building, says Mr.. Kerst, is a great
credit to the state, to the commission
and the architect, but:
On the other hand, involving as it did, the
expenditure Of large sum of money, the board
is accountable to the state for the money ex-
pended as well as the manner and methods Of
its distribution; and in assuming the responsible
1ty OF acting as member of the board 1t fol-
lows that they must expect their acts and az.
counts subjected to most rigid examination.
and themselves to be held to strict accounta.
bllity to the taxpayers of the state who are en-.
titled to all CT the facts they appear
The report reviews the appropria-
lions, beginning with 1898, when the
cost was limited to 100000. In 1901
the appropriation was increased to So
100000. In 1903 the law was again
amended and limited the expenditure
for. the completion of the new capitol
building, including the purchase of
desks, chairs, tables, ETC., and all other
furnishings that may be appropriate
and necessary, to $4,500,000.'t
The Financial Summary.
The financial summary includes the
following facts: \
Maximum appropriation . 81 300 600 %
Total expended July 81 1905. s4 'S9 4Ys.sS
Total unpaid on contracts outstand-
Amount due Cass Gilbert. -. 1895 1e5s %
Balance Balance to to be ssos expended A,s42.5s
commission July 31............ 115.o35. II
The 1905 tax levy Of two-tenths Of mill viii
probably amount to $4,000, and the commission
is obligated to redeem $780, 600 of Certificates at
Indebtedness, which mature July 1, 1906
1t is safe to say that the building Including
ornamentatton of tie grounds, furnishings, etc.,
Of 81, SOC, 600.
The board has issued certificates of indebted.
ness in the sum of So. $4,000 and received from
the sale of same premium of $S,205 %. with
certihcates are held in the state
| treasury, having been purchased BY
the investment board for the perma.
rent school and university fund of this state
Those maturing prior to 1928 bear interest st
the rate of 3 per cent per annum, and those
maturing in the year 1928 and subsequent draw
interest at the rate OF 31a per cent. Certificates
| maturing in 1924 and subsequently are payable
on or before maturity in order that they may be
taken DIP and Cancelled, as no capitol revenue &C.
cumulates thereafter. The board has redeemed
100000 of these certificates.
What Artists Received.
Attention is called to Exhibit 3,
which shows that contracts involving
$336,577 were not advertised as pro-
vided by law. These included all the
paintings and mural decorations, for
which no bond was required. They
were let as follows:
Elmer E. Garnsey, mural decorations,
$125,000; John La Fargo, four supreme
court lunettes, $4,000; E. H. Bashfeld,
two lunettes in senate chamber, $780,
600; +. D. Millet, paintings in govern
| or's room, $4,000 and $4,000; Douglas
Volk, paintings in governor IS room,
$4,000 and $4,000; Rufus F. Zogbaum,
painting, $4,000; Howard Pyle, paint
ing, $4,000; Edward Simmons, four
paintings in dome, $4,000; Daniel C.
Continued on 10th Page, I'd Column.