The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-11-01

Mr.. Boulder was asked what the In
yestigation showed. He replied:
There are no omissions from the
record. There is nothing to show an
attempt to conceal the names from the
PUBLIC record after the payment of the
taxes
When he was asked about the resig-
nation of Mr.. banner he referred the
reporter to Mr. Simpson, the collector,
Who said:
'.Mr banner. the chief deputy. has
used ordinary methods in collecting
taxes under the law and regulations,
hut this investigation discloses the fact
that he has not obeyed specific instruc-
tions to use extraordinary methods to
collect this liquor tax, and for this
reason his resignation was requested,
and he has resigned
Mr. Simpson will have been collec-
tor of internal revenue eight years the
coming January.
Bristow Tells of His Part.
Salina, Kan, Nov. When told that
an investigation of the office Of the. in
ternal revenue collector, J.. M, Simpson,
had been started in Leavenworth and
that Simpsons friends charged Senator
Bristow with being back of it, Senator
Bristow said that he knew nothing of
the investigation of Mr.. Simpsons Of
fee.
This story may have come from an
incident that took place some months
ago." said Senator Bristow. s"Some
jointists were convicted of, selling
liquor in violation of the Kansas pro-
hibitory law. It also appeared that they
had been selling liquors without gov
eminent license. The mayor Of the
town reported the matter to the In
ternal revenue collector and as a result
of this report the deputy collector ap-
peared in a short time at the Jail and
proposed to the jointist that If he would
pay certain amount as license fee
that no prosecution would be made, the
deputy fixing the amount that should
be paid.
This seemed to be rather a strange
proceeding; it was practically giving a
deputy revenue collector authority to
compromise an offense- against the
United States statutes, he fixing the
amount himself and collecting 1t and
permitting the offender to go free. at
once saw that if that was the practice
of the internal revenue bureau that 1t
opened up 1imitless field for graft.
The deputy collector might name any
amount that he saw fit and report to
the government whatever he believed
was necessary, and there would be no
way of determining whether this dep
uty turned in all or only part of what
he received.
"I suggested to the commissioner of
internal revenue that if such was the
practice of his bureau that / thought
it a very dangerous one. The COM
missioner wrote me that it was not the
practice of the bureau and that is all
the information that I have in regard
to the matter. I didn't know that he
had started an investigation, nor do I
know whether or not Simpson or his
deputies have been violating the prac-
tice of the bureau of internal revenue
or are guilty of any improper conduct.
If they have I hope they will be pun
ished. If they have not been guilty of
any improper conduct I shall be glad
to learn that their record is clean.
80 far as I am concerned this in
cident has nothing to do with any con-
templated change in the office of col
lector of internal revenue for Kansas.
When the proper time comes I expect
to recommend some other man than
Mr.. Simpson for that position. Wheth
er or not the man I recommend is ap-
pointed will depend upon the action of
the president.