The Topeka state journal., 1911-09-06
MAY TAKE A HAND
District Court Likely to Name a
Referee.
Would Supervise the Examina-
tiOn OF Clerks Office.
NOW HARASS THOMAS.
New Accountants Make Demands
on Clerk.
Others Took Books and Refuse
to Return Them.
NOW HARASS THOMAS.

It is probable that before night
Judge Whitcomb may interfere IN the
method which the county commission
ers have adopted to reaudlt the books
of Richard L. Thomas, clerk OF the
court, and appoint referee who will
act under instructions from the court
and regulate the methods OF canvass
ing the books at the court mousse
The first intimation of interference
came this morning when Attorneys
Harvey and Schenck, acting for
Thomas protested against the pull
doing methods used by the account
ants acting under instructions OF the
county board. County Attorney simon,
who attended the conference, objected
TO the appointment of referee at tins
time but finally said he would con-
slider a stipulation to be drawn this
afternoon BY Thomas attorneys.
While Thomas was away from his
office late Tuesday afternoon the
county board let new contract for
the audit of the county books rms
contract calls for the payment OF $50
dav and expenses to three men who
Will he placed on the job by a Kansas
City firm.
Immediately after the contract was
let Commissioner O'Nein took one Of
the accountants to Thomas office
Here O'Neiu told Miss Jessie Curtis
and Miss Winnie Williams, two assist
ants. that the new auditor would take
charge of the books and that they
the two men left the office
few minutes later Accountant
Watson entered the office and de-
uauded the keys to the safe and the
privilege of counting the cash on hand-
He was asked to wait until Mr. Thom-
as returned. but insisted that he want
ed to count the money Immediately
Miss Curtis refused to turn over the
KEYS. Then Watson recited to the two
girls his legal authority and said he
would secure an order from the county
attorney demanding them to turn over
the keys
At this point one of the girls tele-
phoned Attorney Schenck, who ad-
vised them that Thomas had provided
the county with bond and had funds
in the bank with which TO pay any
sum he might owe the county He
told the girls to keep the keys Then
Watson went to SImon's office He re-
turned with a statement that simon
had confirmed his opinion as to
right to count the cash. Still the
keys were not forthcoming and Wat
son finally consented to wait until this
m oruinR. -At-noon today he was still
waiting to count the cash.
1t was argued before Judge Whit
comb today that these methods should
not be tolerated. In view of the for
mer actions and the fact that suit
was already pending demanding an ac-
counting, that the issues should be
made up and a referee appointed. ST
mon was not so sure about it. He
wanted to wait. But Judge Whitcomb
said he would consider a stipulation
concerning the appointment of a ref
cree, and the lawyers called in their
stenogra piers and went to work.
If a referee is appointed. both the
county and Thomas Will be permitted
to check the books and the issues Will
be made up for the final hearing as to
just what Thomas owes Shawnee
county. Under the present condition.
the county board and the auditors
have charge of several of the clerks
private books. They refuse to return
them and there is nothing binding on
the county to accept the report made
by the present accountants. The per-
sons behind the audit might easily pur-
sue the old method of giving state
ments to the newspapers and later
throwing the report in the waste bas-
ket But with a referee things will be
different. Books and statements Will
he in charge of a man appointed by
the court and the work will be car
ried on in a manner against which
no one can raise question.
In case the request of Thomas at
torneys is denied or not accepted by
Simon, it is probable that Thomas Will !
stand pat md refuse to allow the men
to audit his books. This will again /