Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-07-29
AS POPULATIONS ARE REVEALED
PROSECUTION is DEMANDED
Commission Plan of Government Being
Censured Unjustly, as System of Reg
ulatng Accounts Resulted in Reveal
ing Refers Shortages-CouneiIman's
Friends Tire Of Putting Up Money.
to Times-Republlcan.


expose the first of the week, not much
else has been discussed, and as each
day has brought new revelations. In
terest has increased. At first there
was considerable sympathy for the de-
faulting councilman, Mr.. Keffer, but
since then so many graft stories have
been published sympathy has turned to
enmity and there is a possibility that
grand jury investigation will be de-
manded and prosecution pushed.
When the city council one week ago
discovered that there were irregular
tiles, some of Refers friends asked
that the matter be smoothed over, and
he be given chance to quietly resign,
and get out Of town, but the scandal
became public property, and publica-
ton Of all details followed
The remaining members Of the coun-
Gil at first thought there would be no
doubt about the equity in Keffer's
home covering all the shortages; but
they have changed their minds. kef-
fer has home valued at around So
600; 1t might bring $4,000; but 1t is
heavily mortgaged, and the first an
nounced shortage of $3.50 is all the
councilmen can possibly realize out
Of the sale. Then when the horse deal
came to light Wednesday, it was neces-
sary for other friends to come to Kef-
fers relief This s175 was raised
among some Of his pers onal friends.
Yesterday when further shortage OF
$3.50 was discovered it was said that
the councilnen and friends were done
raising funds.
Other Thefts Probable.
That other losses have been sustained
by the city is the expectation; altho
keffer insisted that as far as he knew
there were no further discrepancies.
There have been many rumors af1oat
relating to the purchase OF supplies for
the parks, the waste of funds In the
hiring of laborers, in the building OF
a. barn on the island at an alleged alb
normal cost, in the wrecl1ing of some
buildings that resulted in dead loss
to the city, etc, but these are only
rumors, so far, and Refers friends
insist he is not nearly so bad as he has
been painted.
May lndict Refer.
matter will be presented to the grand
jury and an Indictment returned ir
spite Of the activity Of the councilmer
and others In raising money to square
the defalcatlon. Many citizens declare
with recreant public officials, and that
the fact that two city treasurers and
one former city clerk were defaulters
and We're not prosecuted should be no
bar to prosecution in this case.
Isrif ioiSro is hand tho :
Gil that was in control for the first
two years under the commission plan
The criticism is based on the belief
that the council was extremely lax in
accounting for city property and in
checking the various city accounts, and
very wrong in allowing a city council
man, who is not under bonds. to handle
any city money. Yesterday it develop
ed that the parks funds Of 1908 had
been mulcted of at least $3.50. Keffer
had received $3.50 from park conces-
sions, the money being paid to him per-
sonally, when it really should have
been paid direct to the city treasurer,
and he pocketed $3.50 Of the $3.50.
Likewise the habit of the council in
allowing a member to take money and
go on a buying trip is held to be in
excusable. 1t is held that a city coun-
Gilman may have had the right to make
purchases, but that the bills should
have been paid by the city treasurer
upon the delivery Of the goods, and on
the order Of the buyer.
Scandal Shocks City.
The scandal has shocked the city
Local people had prlded themselves
on the excellence of the operation Of
the commission plan Of government,
and it was not thought to be possible
for SO many irregularities to occur and
remain covered for so long a time.
However, following the bitter fight of
last springs election, in which Keffer
was accused of irregular practices, the
particular accusation being that he
sold 500 worth Of wood and was using
the proceeds. there are many people
who are saying, II told you So"
The scandal has for the moment
stunned the enthusiastic advocate Of
the commission plan of government. 1t
is probable that II a vote We're taken
tomorrow the plan would be defeated
by a large majority. However, the
staunchest supporters Of the plan In
sist that theft is possible under any
plan, and that the merit OF the COM
Is that Sthe fra4d was un-
earthed. whereas under he old plan
1t might never have been discovered.
The friends OF the plan hope to show
within the next year that opposition to
the new form OF government Is I'M
justified.
Check System Reveals Crookedness.
The man who has gained most favor
as a result of the exposure is Coun-
Gilman Stepanek. head Of the depart
ment Of accounts and finances. Step
anek was an alderman under the old
plan and was opposed to the reform;
but elected TO office under the plan he
has installed a system Of bookkeeping
AMI inventoryfng Of everything in the
possession of the city, and such
checking all receipts and expenditures
that the city will always know Just
where 1t is at.
The defalcation of Keffer falls with
great force upon union labor. While
labor does not condone the defalcation,
the fact that Keffer was brought out
as union labor candidate, aud the
leaders made the fight OF their lives to
re-elect him last March, has turned
many people against labor candidates
Tor office. A proposition to select as
keners successor q union labor leader
aas met with a chilly response. =
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