Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1909-02-06
TREASURER HAST
INGS EXPLAINS
Appears Before Senate In ET-
fort to Have Acts
Legalized

BOISE. Idaho. Feb. Sin the
senate yesterday State Treasurer
g. A. Hastings was given permits
sion to explain the necessity for his
bills amending the depository act,
The majority prevented y repetition
of the scene In the house Thursday
by voting as one, on a motion by Sen.
ator McDevitt. democrat. OF Ada coun-
~ to grant the request OF the treas
urer There were few spectators
present although Invitations had been
extended to all desiring to do 30 to
discuss the bills.
Does bill Is permit you to keep
on hand in your vault $50 .0O03" ask
ed Senator Hart OF Fremont county.
Yes" replied Mr.. Hastings. but
could get along without that much.
Under the law cannot keep a nickle.
The consideration OF bill No. 80 70
authorize the treasurer to place IN
stated repositories the permanent
charitable and educational land funds
pending their investment by the state
board OF land commissioners, was
taken up. In reply to Senator Hart's
request for an explanation Mr.. Hast
lngs said: You compel me to carry
these funds In my safe today. The
only question is; DO you want me 70
keep this money locked up when
can get interest on ~ In two years
| can make from $4,000 to $4,000. I"
Macbeth Takes Floor.
Senator Macbeth Of Custer county
asked: "As ! understand II. bin No.
80 allows $4,000 in a collection ac-
count. This Is contrary TO business
rules. Why Is this money not left
In bank on open account. permit
ting the treasurer to check against
IT." The treasurer answered that the
account was necessary In such eases
as confront him now, when he Il sup
posed to pay Legislators In cash and
can give them only checks.
Il do not care whether have any
money on this account or not. re-
toRed Hastings.
Senator McDeyltt asked as to
amounts the treasurer has had In
Boise banks. The smallest amount
was Sll.O 900. Mr.. Hastings replied.
and largest amount s30O. 900. Il de-
posted 100000 from the sale OF
bonds authorized by the last ieglsla-
ture because had no other place to
put the money"
At this point in the discussion Sen
ator Macbeth. who was In the chair.
said he could not see how such state
ments were pertinent 70 q eonaidera-
ton Of the bills. "of course, en-
JOY ali this washing Of dirty linen"
he said.
Ask Longer Discussion.
Senators Freehafer and McDeyitt
urged that Mr. Hastings be given an
opportunity to go further into dis
cussion OF the state funds than con-
sideration OF the bills would allow.
but there was objection from the ma
jority
Senator Hunt OF BannOek county
argued that the treasurer should not
make statements other than neces-
sary. coming from n consideration OF
OF his bills. unless to the state affairs
eommittee. II there is any irregu-
iarity In the handling Of state funds
It is zone Of this committees bust
mess, but should come before the state
affairs committee.
Mr. Hastings has started 70 an.
swer." said Senator MeDevitt. land
should be allowed to continue" The
Freehafer motion TO allow Mr.. Hast.
ings to continue was lost. The state
treasurer moved that Law be passed
to require the state auditor to ex-
anime the state treasurer's ONCE
twice every month instead Of twice
yearly. Harris motion that the COM
fco1ffnuaA an nara enuF.l