The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-06-09

Something of a sensation was orea-
ted at the state house today when 1t
was discovered that there was no rec
ord of John Radford's bond for SO 900
as state grain inspector anywhere to
be found, either in the state treasurers
office or that of the secretary of state.
The old original bond. filed when Rad
ford took his office in April 1903. was
on file in the treasurer's office, but it
was void and there is no renewal of
record.
However. the attorney general has
in his possession a letter from the
United States Fidelity and Guaranty
company. of Baltimore. Nd, in which
they dun Radford for payment of the
premium of $40 on his bond for 1907-09.
Pinned to the letter is a cancelled check
made out by Radford to the bonding
company for $40. This check is en-
dorsed by an agent of the company,
so the attorney general is of the opin-
ion that Radford renewed his bond and
paid the premium and that as the COM
pany received the money they can be
held for any shortage under the bond
in spite of the fact that no renewal of
the bond has been placed on file in
the proper office.
While State Accountant Gafford is
very reticent about the matter, there
is not the slightest doubt but that
there has been found Il considerable
shortage in the grain department,
amounting probably to several thou
sands of dollars. In the indictment filed
against Radford by the attorney gen
eral, the specific sum of $41S is men
toned as being money of the state
which came into possession of John
Radford by virtue of his office state
grain inspector and said John Radford
did Steal take and carry away this
money contrary to statute"
While the date of Radfords preiimi-
nary trial has been set for June 16 ii
may be postponed. according to John
Marshall. assistant attorney general.
who swore to the complaint If the
state accountant has his report ready
by the 18th the trial will likely be held
on that date.
While the dispatches state that a. d.
Crotts the missing clerk of the grain
q department, had just returned from the
east nevertheless it Is a fact that
Crotts has been oscillating between
the two Kansas Citys for several days
and he was finally located in Hum
boldt and induced to report at the
grain office in Kansas City, Kan. The
governor had offered a reward of 5000
for information leading to the finding
of Mr.. Crotts, but this reward was
withdrawn yesterday morning when It
was learned that Crotts had returned
to the state of his own accord.
John Radford came to Kansas City,
Kan. from Cherryvale in 1883 and con
Quoted a restaurant in Armourdale for
several years. He served two terms in
the Kansas City council and when
ford was appointed state grain in
spector. Mr.. Radford was chairman of
the Wyandotte central committee last
campaign and previous to that time he
was secretary of the committee. The
politicians here in Topeka are surprised
at the charges made against. Radford
The ex-grain inspector has many
friends and has the reputation of
standing b. his friends to the last
ditch. In spite of the reports current
the past few weeks of Irregularities in
the grain office under the former ad-
1ninistration it was not expected that
any serious mistakes would be found
that would incriminate Mr.. Radford.
Radford Denies That He Is Guilty.
Kansas City, June 9.-Mr. Radford
was standing on Minnesota avenue,
near the courth ouSe, when placed un
der arrest by W. D. Richardson, mar
: shall of the North City court. He was
so overcome that he could scarcely
speak when he entered the courtroom.
ST am not guilty of embezzling any
money" he said in the courtroom.
'They will find they have made a mis-
take"
Mr.. Marshall then sent for Mr..
Crotts and requested Judge Brooks to
also put him under bond to appear at
the trial and preliminary hearing. Mr..
Crotts was placed under a bond of
$500 to appear as a witness. His bond
was signed by Samuel McGonigal,
chief collector of the grain inspection
department.
Mr.. Marshall said that the arrest of