The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1907-01-29
M'M|LL|N GIVES BACK $4,000
Ex-COmmissioner Takes Medicine
Like Whipped Cur
sa|llED BY SENATOR PAulHAuMus
DRONE TRIES TO
PUT ON APPEARANCE OF
INJURED PRIDE.

. LYMPlA, Jan. Z9.-FOrmer Rail-
road Commissioner John S. Mcmillan
last night formally and in writ
ing offered to the joint committee
on railroads to return to the state the
$4,000, the amount he had drawn as sal
airy since June, or whatever proportion
the committee deemed proper of the
$4,000. and the proceedings of the day
are now being framed. This surrender
of McMillin is another victory for the
forces led by Paulhamus and Dickson.
That, however, was not entirely COM
plete. as McMillin with a great as
sumption of dignity and injured pride
maintained that he had at all times
rendered the commission all the SER
vice he promised Mead that he would
when he was appointed. His entire
defense was from first to last that
Mead had told him that he would not
be required to devote his whole time
to the commission and that was the
only condition on which he reluctantly
accepted the position at ALL However.
he was willing to turn back some of
his salary if the committee thought he
should not have accepted it. The COM
mitteer thought this should be done.
Especially dating from last June when
the stockholders of McMillins Roche
Harbor corporation brought suit
against him for an accounting.
McMillin was before the committee
for over an hour and subjected to a
| CALLING examination. Towards the end
of his examination he made the state
ment that his appointment and ac-
ceptance of the commissionership were
based on an understanding that il
would be temporary appointment
| McMillin said he made it absolutely
clear to the governor that he would
nave to continue to look after his pri-
vate interests and McMillin asked the
committee if it had any doubt. to ask
Mead for a statement. TIE said when
the private litigation began against
him last June he offered to resign. but
the governor would not accept his
resignation and that few weeks ago
he had discussed the same subject
with Fairchild but that he got no
advice.
Warmly drilled.
Senator Paulhamus grilled McMl-
lin on cross examination over the att-
tude he took on the railroad commits
sion question at the 1904 convention
which nominated Mead. McMillin was
chairman of the platform committee
that reported against a railroad COM
mission plank, but Senator Paulhamus
was compelled to ask the question
half a dozen times before he could
bring McMilin a statement that ne
voted against a commission.
Paulhamus summed up his position
by declaring that he believed McMil-
lin had not rendered a service that
the state should have received and de-
clared that if McMillin returned to
the state the salary he had drawn
since July l, he would give back no
more than the state had a right to
expect. He added that he did not be-
lleVe McMillin had given the services
ne should have granted prior to July
l. 1t was explained by Senator Paul
hamus that he had watched McMil-
Inns course closely because he did not
oeileve him railroad commission man
and that he mad not regarded him as
4 satisfactory commissioner
McMillin protested that he believed
ne mad acted firmly and competentIy
rs commissioner and insisted his
1ews On railroad commission should
lot De called into question. He de-
Jared he is now convinced that tho
abroad commission is necessary. Fin
lily he stated if the governor or the
committee thought a return of his
alary advisable he would return it,
senator's Paulhamus and Stevenson OBJ
ected to dragging the governor into
he controversy.
Inquiry Dropped.
Representative Taylor tried to secure
ne names of the man who induced
dcM1ll1n to take the appointment, but
ABRAMS objected and the inquiry was
ropped.
The witness said he had not charged
ne junket to Cuba to the state
Both Commissioners F'airchild and
'aWrence made strong plea for Nc
llll1n, claiming that vast amount of
Ime has been spent by the commits
toner's that is not indicated anywhere
the records. Lawrence appealed to
ne committee to compel him to make
n outright statement of the valre of
IcMillin's services or even by infer
nee pass judgment upon him. Com
Missioner Fairchild admitted when
down that McMillin had
lven none of his time to the state
uring November nor did he serve
'rine the early part Of June when he