Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-07-05
7. f. WATSON AIMS
ANOTHER SHOT At
BARRON s CRAN|UM
Says Barron Has Wanted Too
Much Money for Spending
on Capitol - He's Been
WastefuI If Not Dishonest


There were no developments in the
Barron affair yesterday, except the ru-
NOR that Allen H. Walker, whom The
| Journal located at 207 Pulliam street. At
lanta, is the author of that mysterious
| letter charging graft against Mr.. Bar
ron, and Mr.. Walkers refusal to either
| deny or confirm the rumoI, and state
lnent to the press from Thomas E. Wat
| son, attacking Barron on his own &C
count and demanding that the charges
be pushed to a thorough investigation.
Mr. Watson takes a rap at his infor-
mant for lodging away and that Mr..
Barron, keeper of public buildings and
grounds, has asked for entirely too much
money to spend on the state capitol
building since he has been in office with
the Brown administration. Mr.. Wat
son criticises Mr.. Barron for seeking to
spend as he says, over $4,000 in putting
the capitol in repair whereas Mr.. Wat
son says the building is only Is years old
and cannot possibly be in such ruinous
condition.
mo pressue will coerce me into violat-
ing the confidence of the gentleman who
first brought this matter to my atten-
tidn," says Mr.. Watson, anent the dis
closure he has been expected to make
of the letter writer's name.
1T have no word of apology to offer
to anybody for my action in the prem
ises," he adds. He says the Soldiers
Home needs investigation about some
thing, he is not very clear what.
All the members of the house commit
tee on public property. before which the
Barron matter stands were resting at
their respective homes about the state
Saturday, and aside from Mr.. Watson's
statement there was no definite develop
ment in this interesting affair that is ex-
pected to reach head next week.
TOO MUCH MONEY SPENT.
Following is Mr.. Watson's statement
In the case:
Thomson, Ca, July
Have you examined the report for the
year 1910 made by ]. L. Barron, keeper
of public buildings?
Have you noticed that nearly $4,000
has been paid to employees at the state
capitol and at the mansion?
Have you observed that more than S.
500 have been spent In repairs and re-
furnishings, in addition to nearly A1,000
for recarpeting and decorating the two
legislative chambers?
Have you noticed that this sleepy-eyed
young man, the protege of r. F. Duck
worth, represents the entire capitol build
ing as being in such state Of dilapida-
ton that he wants $4,000 to put things
in shipshape?
IT was a member Of the legislature OF
SO and SO which appropriated the mill
lion dollars to build this new state house.
We selected what was supposed to be
the most durable msterial. We appoint
ed a building committee Of which Hon.
Evan P. Howell, as l remember it, was
chairman. The structure was finished
within the appropriation and a small sur
plus converted back into the trseaury-.
an almost unheard of occurrence.
This sleepy-eyed youngster now asks
us to believe that building construct
ed out of stone and marble only Is. years
ago is in such ruinous condition that
he must be allowed $53.50o to fix things
up, and this after having spent more
than $500 on the old thing since Cover
nor Brown was inaugurated.
CAN'T MAKE HIM TELL.
No pressure will coerce me into violat-
ing the confidence Of the gentleman who
first brought this matter to my atten-
ton, and no crafty politician is going to
succeed in putting me into the position
of prosecutor OF our languid-eyed friend
Lee Barron.
But as citizen and a taxpayer, feel
no hesitation in saying that I believe,
from Barron's own report, that he has
been wasteful IL not dishonest. 1 don't
believe that the people of this state will
approve of the expenditure of 5000 for
carpeting two rooms, nor do / believe
that the carpets are worth IS per yard
As every sensible man knows, good
quality of good mating is very much bet
ter and very much cheaper for the car
peting of a court house, an office, or
legislative chamber. Not only should
Barron's official conduct be searchingly
scrutinized, but the Soldiers Home needs
investigation in regard to that. gen.
tleman, who assures me that he will not
fee to cover leaving me in the lurch,
informs me that the building committee
recently let out a large contract without
having advertised 1t. He declared that
within a couple of hours after the secret
award of this contract, a bid was received
offering to do the work for 900 less. He
declares that the contractor made such a
good thing that he refused an offer of ST.
500 for 1t.
THESE THINGS NEED AIR.
Ought not such things to be inquired in
to? Have the tax payers of Georgia no
right to know how their money Is being
sent? Ought no such reports as Lee Bar
rons to be itemized?
County affairs are kept straight by a
yearly examination of the books and
vouchers of county officers. Ought we
not to have the same kind Of investigation
of the more important affairs at the state
house7
1 have not a word of apology to offer to
anybody for my action in the premises,
and I do not hesitate to say that II this
Hoke Smith legislature plays politics
with this thing, and refuses to make the
rigorous investigation which the good Of
the public service demands. 1 intend to
do all in my power to arouse old man
Peepul and have him get after the guilty
parties in a way that will make them
think that the world is coming to an
end.
THOMAS E. WATSON.