Los Angeles herald., 1910-09-20

Sustaining in the most important de-
tails the charges preferred against the
Los Angeles county highway commits
sion by the good roads advisory COM
mittee; commencing the latter for hav-
ing saved hundreds of thousands of
dollars of the taxpayers money by
reason of its vigilance and timely
warnings, and urging the dismissal of
the highway commission and the ap-
pointment of a new board in a man
ner similar to that in which the aque-
duct board was selected to manage the
construction of the good roads, the
final report of the investigation COM
mittee appointed by the county super
visors was submitted yesterday.
The report of the investigation COM,
mittee, of which Joseph Scott was
chairman is voluminous and complete
in every detail, the history of the cre-
alton of the highway commission, the
work of its engineer, the selection of
the advisory committee, the actions of
the supervisors. being thoroughly re-
viewed.
TO the full report of the investiga-
tion committee there was but one dis
senting vote, that of George M. Pear
son, who concurred in every detail ex-
cept the recommendation that the
highway commissioners tender their
designations. Mr.. Pearson submitted
a minority report upholding the high
way commission.
MEMBERS URGED TO RESIGN
Detailed findings and recommends
tions also were made by the engineer
members of the investigation commit
tee, who submitted a separate report,
although concurring in the general re-
port of the investigation committee.
The engineers findings dealt with the
technical phases OF the good roads
work and the engineering department
The report of the investigation COM
mittee not only urges that members
of the highway commission resign and
the creation of a commission similar
to the aqueduct board, but sustains the
charges of mismanagement and delay
preferred by the advisory board and
states that the chief engineer has
academic knowledge but is inexper-
fenced as an executive.
Tbs advisory committee has outlived
its usefulness, according to the in
quisitors, and therefore should not be
continued and would be unnecessary if
a managing board is appointed by the
various civic bodies, which it is rec
commended should name the members
of the new board.
The report criticizes the advisory
committee for having become too acri-
monious in the course OF the investiga-
tion, and charges that the highway
commission is subject to political in
duences.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE a
The report made by the investigating com
nittee to the board of supervisors is in part
Is follows:
The committee, appointed by your hon
orable body under letter of instructions
dated May II. 1910. received the follow
ing directions as to the scope OF its work.
For the purpose OF investigating the af-
lairs and accounts of the Los Angeles
eounty highway commission, the progress
OF the work OF main highway improve
ment under said commission, and the ef-
hcency OF the commission and its en-
ployes.
Shortly after appointment, on June
A. 1910 the grand jury, which had been
in session for six months previously there
to. filed its report after an examination OF
the affairs of the highway commission,
which was, free from censure as to the
accounts Of the highway commission
Your investigating committee deemed 1t
unnecessary to attempt to review what
already had been accomplished by the
yrand jury. But in fairness to the high
way commission and its employees, II should
Se stated that no charge or imputation of
any kind Of mlsappllcation OF funds has
oeen made to this committee. either dl-
ectly or indirectly, by the advisory COM
uittee. or any one else.
Your committee early formed the opin-
(Contnued ON Page Four)