Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1908-08-07
DID NO POLITICAL
WORK FOR BEEDLE
C. W. RHODES, OVER WHOM 1NVES-
rIGATIoN WAS STARTED,
MAKES STATEMENT.
REFUSED ACTUARYS PAY.
Commission Discovers That Office Force
Made Up Deficit Cut by
Themselves.
FULL PROBE WILL BE MADE.

MADISON, Wis, Aug. 1.--[Special.1
Whether the increasing of an en-
ploye's salary by levying on other mem
bers in the insurance department, con-
stitutes an offense, is the nut which the
civil service board is attempting TO
crack. 1t transpired today that the IN
yestigation made by commissioners OF
department of insurance was over the
salary Of an emergency appointment OF
c. W. Rhodes.
Deficit Made Up in Office.
He claims that Mr.. Buell. appointed
him in Mr.. Anderson's position during
the latter's absence at salary of $2OO
a month. At the end of the period, the
merit board would only allow him $500
and the other 500 was made up by 9TH
er employees in the Office. In the inter
view today Mr.. Rhodes admitted he re-
celyed an additional $1OO-$75 from one
person and $50 from another within the
department.
1t is impossible to ascertain what the
purpose of the investigation of the civil
service commission carried on some TWO
weeks ago is for. 1t is known that Com
missioner Beedle, Mr.. Rhodes aud Mr.
Gurnee, another employee, were among
tuOSe SAdIlIluGu uuuGI OdIu ny COAAAhAAS
sioner c.. E. Buell. of the commission.
The questions of the civil service ex-
aminer were about the work performed
by Mr.. Rhodes, the salary paid to him
by others within the department. as IL TO
ascertain whether or not there had been
any political work done by members OF
the force.
Rhodes Makes Statement.
"'There is nothing TO cover I'D in this
matter" said G. w. Rhodes today. Il
have made no charges against Insur-
ance Commissioner Beedle. Early IN
the year | was Ger iifed to the insurance
department as a clerk in an emergency
appointment and served one month. 1t
was my understanding that person
could not be certified to the same posi-
ton in the same office more than once
in an emergency case. The latter part
of April Mr.. Beedle came to me and
said L. A. Anderson was going on va
cation and wanted to know if l would
come in and take the position. | told
Mr.. Beedle | had served out my emer-
gency time in that department as a
clerk, but Mr.. Beedle said that | was
to come in there in place of Mr.. Ander-
son. Apparently Mr.. Beedle and T. Z.
Doty, secretary of the civil service COM
mission, were working in perfect under
standing of the matter.
Did No Political Work
"Mr. Beedle assured me that Mr.. Doty
had consented to me going into the de-
partment to fill Anderson's place for one
month and l understood | was to have
Anderson's salary of 5000 per month. At
the end of the period my voucher was
certified to the civil service commission
as acting secretary at 5000 per month.
The civil service commission only al
lowed me 500 a month and that is all
l got from the state. 1 received, how
ever, from Mr.. Beedle, an additional sum
of 800 in accordance with the under
standing that l had with him at the
time of entering service.
This additional 500 consisted of two
Blackstone for SIS and the other for
$25. drawn by two regular employees of
the department. A little later I was
called before the civil service commission
to be examined. G. e. Buell. questioned
me about my duties and 1 told him I'M
der oath that during the time l was
there. l had read proof with Paul Cur
nee and compiled fire insurance tables.
l did no political work during the time
for Mr.. Beedle."