American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1908-01-04

liiR HoIh duSd1l uoHS anu tHeU uI1ueF
way, which had cost the state many
thousands Of dollars.
''Mr. Bragaw, however, decided to
fulfill his agreement and exhibit the
claims. just why he reached this de-
cislon ] shall leave TO the opinion of the
citizens Of this state. By doing so. in
the opinion of everyone fully in touch
with the states case, he did more valu-
able service for the Western Federation
of Miners than any other one person
employed by that institution in connec-
ton with the defense of those charged
with the murder Of Mr.. SteunenberR.
He thereby earned the contempt of ev-
cry good man and woman who under
stood the effect Of his perfdy. After
Mr.. Bragaw had permitted the inspec-
ton and copying of the detailed bills,
they were published in an organ of the
Western Federation, and then printed
and circulated as a pamphlet. There
was great rejoicing among the enemies
of the state-the excusers of the kill
ing of Steunenberg.
1T was openly stated both in public
prints and by the apologist and justifier
Of murder in public argument, that the
state would not be able TO use secret
service agents effectively any longer.
and that consequently there was little
chance of securing the conviction of
Others who might be charged with
crimes of that character.
''As a consequence of this act of the
state auditor every secret service agent
of the state was exposed to the defense,
and at least one of them specifically
warned to leave the state or suffer the
death penalty. When Mr.. Bragaw was
apprised of the results of his action, he
seemed greatly amused and gratified.
! have no reason TO believe that his ap-
pearance belied his true sentiments. and
then felt and now feel that he was
amused and gratified.
''Mr. Bragaw has stated that when
he finally decided that he would not
issue any more deficiency certificates
unless receipts were filed with the bills
for immediate exhibit to the agents of
the Western Federation of Miners, that
! cursed him, and said would give him
just five minutes in which to make up
his mind to draw the certificates as ord
cred by the state board of examiners.
When he states this. or permits its pub
lication to so uncorrected, he lies will
fully and maliciously. What | said to
Mr.. Bragaw was in the presence of Sec
retary of State Lansdon and Assistant
Attorney General Snow When Mr..
Bragaw said that he would not draw the
certificates ordered, and that if the
state board of examiners thought they
could compel him to do so, We could &c
to the supreme court with the question.
and that he had an attorney to repre-
sent him whose services would not cos,
him cent, asked him if his attorney
was in the employ of the Western Fed.
Grafton of Miners. He had the grace te
say no, although not possessed of sense
of shame enough to appreciate the
charge of utter worthlessness and lack
Of character implied.
During the two years that the stats
has been engaged in unveiling the sec
ret band of conspirators who assassina
ted Ex-Governor SteunenberR. expendi
lures on this account have reached prac
tically $ll0, 900. Bills have been paid
either by the drawing of deficiency Ger
tificstes or of state warrants, upon ord
ers of the state board of examiners. act
favorably upon claims precisely similal
to those detailed above, which Mr.. Bra
gaw just now finds irregular. Ever,
bill was carefully considered by tn,
board of examiners, and in no instanc,
was dollar allowed unless the boar
was satisfied the money was justly due
All of these claims are lacking smal
per cent of receipts.
, ''The board of examiners and tn,
state auditor fully understood that thi
i was in accordance with an agreement
made at the beginning of the investigs
ton. Undoubtedly there has been som,
, carelessness on the part of the attorney
: and detectives. but the state boar
could not be certain that success woult
r not be jeopsrdized by demanding tha
receipts for these expenditures be secur
1 r. Sal n.
; understood this, and until December 10
: 1907. made no complaint. The reasol
for his present action is very plain il
, my mind. | feel that it will be equal,
: plain in the mind of the unbiased read
! er. leave that reader to draw his owl
: inference.
.. win MAXI Wages.