The weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Craig County, Okla.) 1905-1913, 1909-07-09

dutnflet Oklaa July - nc Noii
mission appointed by Governor c. ~
Haskell to investigate the matters con-
tanned in the Taylor report, criticising
the bookkeeping methods of former
Dispensary Superintendent X. e.
Lozier, and involving Fred S. Caldwell
state enforcement attorney, and At
torney General Charles ]. West in the
criticisms, met yesterday morning IN
the governors Office and conducted an
all day session.
State Examiner Charles A. Taylor,
who made the report, was asked by
Governor Haskell and Rev, Mr. Con.
ger, member of the commission.
whether, In his opinion, he considered
that any money was misappropriated,
or Is still unaecounted for Mr.. Taylor
repeatedly refused to express any opin.
ion, declaring that all that he had
found was contained in the report
Il believe that have right as
governor, to ask of you, Mr.. Taylor,
whether or not you believe from your
Investigation any money was stolen,
for il such were the case 1t would be
my duty to take immediate action"
Il don't wish to be dscourteous,
governor, replied Taylor, "but every.
thing that we found is included In
that report"
Governor-'D you make any at
tempt to procure the checks and APP
proved statements in possession Of Mr..
Caldwell or Attorney General West,
which have since been produced for
the benefit Of this commission"
Taylor cannot answer that ques-
ton, except to refer you to my report.
Governor Haskell then called Dep
uty Alexander. who made the investi-
CATION to the stand, and inquired.
"Mr. Alexander, did you call upon
Mr.. West or Mr. Caldwell for the
checks and statements to show where
the money went?"
Alexander can only answer by
the report"
GOVERNOR believe am entitled
to this information and insist upon
you giving IT,"
Il do not intend to tell you whether
| did or not; the report contains all
that care TO tell" replied Alexander
with some wrath
To similar request from MIR. Con-
ger, Alexander replied that he would
answer in court, but not elsewhere.
The commission was organized by
the appointment OF w. s, Wylie Of
Muskogee, chairman, and Rev. l.,
stubbiefeld of Ada, secretary Rev
George D. Conger, superintendent OF
the Anti-Saloon League. was the other
member The investigation was pub
lie. The first person examined was
Attorney General West. who stated
that he had filed sworn statements
with the auditor. showing where all
the money spent under his direction
from the agency funds was expended
and offered to furnish these state
ments to the commission The attor.
ney general explained that vouchers
we're not issued and warrants drawn
directly to the persons employed by
him as detectives TO assist in the en-.
forcement Of prohibition but that
they we're drawn to the account OF
Attorney General West and the money
then paid over to them by checks duly
approved. This was done to keep the
identity of the detectives secret as he
had found that as soon as the name
OF detective was known bis efflcien
cy was destroyed. and in some cases
bis life endangered.
State Enforcement Attorney Fred S
Caldwell, who was criticised in the
report for alleged attempts to act az
treasurer and collector for the men
employed by his department, stated
that the reasons assigned by the attor
ney general for the method Of paying
employees would also apply to his de
partment.
Mr.. Caldwell stated In substance
that In all about twenty detectives oi
field men were employed by him fol
short periods at different times. H'
paid them ont Of the fund from the pro
hts Of the agency. and when the funds
Of the agency would become exhausted
he would then have vouchers issued
upon the s5q, 900 appropriated by the
legislature, and these vouchers would
be paid to him IN lump sums through
warrants issued on the auditor. which
he would In turn disburse to field mer
for salaries and expenses, taking theil
receipts in some cases and in Others
allowing the checks with which theJ
we're paid to act as receipts.
Mr.. Caldwell stated that when the
funds with which he paid his field
men we're drawn from the agency fund
the checks or drafts would be issued