Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-09-14
COMMUNICATED

me for payment, against the state,
were not approved by him.
In as much as his article states that
Notwithstanding his objection the bills
were approved and paid by the Cover
nor and Council, l am content to let
the matter remain there, so far as
am concerned, but in justice to the
Governor and Council and all other
people concerned l desire to state tho
facts upon which l based my claim to
these bills against the state.
l shall not copy the style of the
State Auditor; l shall not indulge in
vituperation, as he has; | shall not
allude to him as this man." as he has
to me; nor shall l argue legal ques-
tions with him, because he is not
lawyer. l shall take up these charges
as he makes them.
First: Prior to 1908 all my telephon-
ing in relation to railroad matters
went over the office phone of myself
and partner This was six-party
line, so called. In addition to the
instrument at my Office and one at my
house there We're upon the line the
Instruments of four other parties.
Much inconvenience and annoyance
arose in consequence. Telephone calls
relating to railroad matters were often
delayed and interrupted, because of
the line being in use by the other
parties thereon. In the early part Of
1908 / thought it desirable, therefore,
to have a one-party line, over which
the transaction Of calls relating to
railroad matters might be had, the
expense of which would be consider
ably greater than that of an instru-
ment on a siX-party line. l asked
our clerk at Augusta, Col. harrington,
to lay the matter before Auditor
Hatch, and ascertain if he would allow
me a private telephone for railroad
matters. Col. Harrington, reported to
me that Auditor Hatch had informed
him | was entitled to a telephone in
my office for railroad matters, and that
he would approve the sum of twenty
five dollars. | thereupon had another
instrument put into my private office
and attached to the line connected
with my house and main office, and
with no one else. This was done with
the full knowledge and consent Of
Auditor Hatch.
On February 9th. 1909, I rendered
my bill for expenses, $500 for 1908.
On April 9th, 1909 Mr.. Hatch wrote me
the following letter.
april 9th, 1909.
Hon. Joseph B. Peaks, Chairman Board
of Railroad Commissioners, State
House, Augusta Maine.
Dear Sir:-Referring to your bill
under date &C February 18th. for
Rental for extra telephone at office at
Dover for year ending December 31st.,
1908, $500. we would respectfully ask
that you kindly furnish the paid
vouchers from the telephone company
for the amounts charged.
Very respectfully,
$50 CHARLES P. HATCH,
C PH-B State Auditor
On April 18th, following, 1 wrote
Auditor Hatch as follows
April -, 1909
Hon. Charles P. Hatch, State Auditor
Augusta, Maine.
Dear Sir:-In compliance with your
request l herewith send you voucher
for the telephone service of 1908,
$500.
Very truly yours,
(Sg) ]. B. PEAKS,
B."
and inclOsed the voucher which he re-
quired. While he has held up all my
bills since October, 1908, without any
explanation to me, the first intimation
| have had that there was any objec-
ton to my telephone charge was when
I read his statement yesterday. After
having informed Col harrington that
I, f1,n = q
having written to me on April 9, ask
ing me to furnish a voucher which
had omitted, he now, after more than
six months have elapsed, since I first
presented the account, INDUCES in this
amazing statement in the public press.
Second: Mr.. Hatch complains that
claims have been presented in favor of
Lettie A. Drawn of Dover for 100000
for five months services at the rate OF
$4,000 per month. The facts are these:
In 1901, during a session of the legis-
lature it was found that the work in
the office at Augusta was increasing
rapidly, and upon application to a
gentleman then in the House, who was
a prominent railroad man and knew
the circumstances, he caused an act
to be introduced and passed, Chapter
254 of the Public Laws of 1901, as
follows
Section /. There shall be an as
sistant clerk to the Board of Railroad
Commissioners to be appointed by the
Governor upon recommendation by the
Board, whose duty it shall be to assist
the clerk in the performance of his
duties, and in the absence OF the clerk
to have the same powers as the clerk.
Section 2. He shall have a salary
of twelve hundred dollars per year. tC
be paid quarterly from the state
treasury"
Some time in July, 1901, as l remem-
Der it (the record will show Francis
C. Peaks was appointed assistant clerk
by Governor Hill, upon the unanimous
recommendation of the board. He
held that office until January, 1904
The work still increasing, Mr.. George
Giddings had been appointed stenog-
rapher and general clerk in the office
in addition, under pay at one thou
sand dollars per year. When the as
sistant clerk, Francis c. Peaks, re-
signed in January, 1904, Mr.. George
Giddings was appointed to take his
Il - l~]r, L, ~ n ~