The San Francisco call., 1907-01-20
Legislators Threatening to
Investigate Accounts of
the Agricultural A Society
SEVERAL MATTERS
NEED EXPLAINING
Large Sums Expended Con
trary to Law and Much
Mystery Turks IN Books
By George A. Van Smith
CALL HEADQUARTERS.
1907 EIGHTH STREET.

1907 EIGHTH STREET.
SACRAMENTO, Jan. ia Iegisla-
| I've investigation and general stirring
up Of the affairs OF the State AEricuI-
turaI Society are expected 10 follow
the appointment Of the three new mem
bers of fhe board by Governor GiIIett
on February i. When the storm is
over a. ts believed the state AgrfcuI-
turaI society will have lost one of its
dual characters and be wholly a state
institution. owing 10 the State strict
accountability for the funds handled
by ia.
II the forecssted investigation should
take the form outlined for it. some OF
the members OF the past and present
directorates viii be called upon TO an
swer numerous questions that in their
unanswered form appear TO be fruitful
Of embarrassment. II they develop
nothing more The directors will be
asked 10 explain the manner Of ex-
penditures of $4,000 which was appro-
priated ny the last Legislature for the
erection Of certain buildings. and show
u possible that this money was paid
our in accordance with the provisions
~ fhe act.
The board must also explain the con
duct Of and the disposition OF the prohts
frorn, poolroonl and liquor privilege,
separated in theory only from the Fair
Grounds in 1905. on land which is now
the property Of the society.
: MUST ACCOUNT FOR FUNDS
There may be nothing wrong save
the appearance OF things, but it is
claimed that when the present Legis-
lsture adjourns the extra official func-
tions Of the board will have been rele-
gated and that unless this is done all
attempts TO appropriate further mon
eys for the use OF the board will meet
with the most determined opposition.
That there may be politics IN the move
ment is not 70 be seriously disputed;
that the movement II successful will
take the board and dealings out of a
doubtful atmosphere is equally appar-
ent
The state Agricultural Society Is n =
accountable TO the State for any money,
save such sums as are specifically ap-
propriated from the State treasury for
State fair ground improvements or
other specified purposes. The receipts
from the fairs. revenues from the
grounds or other property in the name
OF the society are handled by the d.
rectors quite as they please. In hne.
according to the reformers who are
out to inject . little bookkeeping on
the part Of the State into the fair
business. the State occupies the posi-
ton OF an indulgent parent
PARDEE IMPOSED UPON
From the sale OF Agricultural Park
the directors realized $s2,5oo. The
Liquidation OF an Indebtedness and the
purchase OF eighty acres OF land re-
duoed this amount 70 $4,000 Then
the last Legislature appropriated s6o,-
600 for the Improvement OF the grounds
and specified the Improvements on
which the money was 10 be expended.
Provisions for tracks and barns for
harness racing and running horses
we're conspicuous by their absence from
the bill.
Strangely enough, Governor George
r. Pardee was not inspired withrthe
highest confidence II the methods Of
the directorate and the bill was un-
signed until the members OF the finance
committee promised him not TO use
more than $4,000. Promptly after the
sfenstbre Of the Governor was ahixca
~ the bin 8 contract was entered into
Win an engineer for plan for
track and barns. The engineer was
paid $1,000.
Possibly the remainder Of the s2s.-
GOO not covered BY the appropriation
bfi and which the directors could DO
vim as they pleased. paid for the
.,-ack and barns But that is one OF
! things that the Legislature wishes
70 be assured on
Then. TOO. II is pUrposeo TO hno our
.omething about the pooiroom and
,,ouor privileges Enclosed without the
rs,r Ground fence. but connected by
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