Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-08-30
Investigating Committee
Again on War Path.
Cgus R. Topper Will Be The
Counsel for The Committee.
Governor Makes More Appointments
But Not Yet a Senator.
STATE HOUSE CALENDAR.
Next Meeting of Governor and Council
Wednesday, Sept. q at 10 A. M.

The special investigating committee
oi tire 18th Legislature in regard to
which nothing had been heard since
II presented report upon the States
financial condition during the closing
weeks Of the session, has again been
heard from and win begin a new in-
vestigatior about the middle OF Sep
tet1ber just what is contemplated
in the proposed new investigation has
nat yet been made public by the CON-
mittee. hut il will be recalled that the
report presented to the Legislature
upon the financial condition of the
state contained these words: The
committee does recommend, however
that the fuller investigation OF State
affairs as proposed in the joint or
der recently passed by the Legislature
he undertaken"
The ORDER providing for this special
investigating committee was several
times amended while IL was pending
IN the Legislature, but as finally
PASSED the joint special committee
vas authorized to investigate and re-
port as 10 whether any dishonest
practices or violations of the Law have
which may be under investigation.
The committee was also authorized
TO sit during vacation OF the Legs
lature, To employ legal counsel and
To search also for incompetency am
lack Of business methods. In fact
there was hardly anything but what
the committee was given power To 40
when the much amended order vas
finally passed.
cyrus r. Topper of Boothbay Har
fnr. will he employed as the legal
counsel 10 act with the investigating
committee and, Tuesday. MIR. Topper
tened quarters for the investigat
ing committee in the rooms of the ole
enforcement commission on the third
Hnor Of the state House. He will he
tnlfi1ved for tie present in going
ever the previous work and getting
matters ready for the committee when
its session opens. A permanent stem
egrspncr IS also To be employed by
the committee and IL is believed that
a lengthy program has been outlined
with the aid of which it is hoped 10
secure further campaign material on
the part of the incumbent party for
tic battle of 1912.
= In view Of the employment of Mr..
Tupper as legal counsel for the com-
rnittee II should not be forgotten that
Senetor .Iilliken of Aroostook, in
afuning against the adjustment OF
the Office Of assistant attorney gen
oral on Feb. % of this year sad:
.'ff this is designed as measure
of economy and is made necessary by
the stringent conditions which con-
front the majority party, want 10
say in the first place that the pros
Tet.riye attorney general, as | under
stand it, has already declined TO per
rat the order creating an investigat-
ing committee To state definitely that
tho counsel of that committee shall
10 the attorney general, and on the
ground that the attorney general is
6enrived Of his assistance. and it
has been suggested that he will nave
100 much to do. In my judgment, II
that committee ever employs counsel
ut all, the bills for counsel fees will
lie more than the salary of the as
sistant attorney general fer the next
two years
The members of the joint special in
yestipating committee are Senators
4
George H. Smith OF York. and w. NJ.
Osborn of Somerset, with Representa-
tves Harry Stetson of Lewiston,
Everett w Macomber of Winthrop.
Edward B. Mallett Of Freeport,
Charles NJ Farnham of Bath, c. NJ.
sleeper of South Berwick and Her
bert w, Trafton of Fort Fairfield.
William Il. Pattangall of Waterville,
vas the House chairman OF the COM
mittee, but as he was obliged TO re-
sign from the Legislature in order TO
hold the Office of attorney general his
place upon the committee is vacated.
Although Senator Mullen was chair
man of the COMMITTEE. during the SEES
SIGNS OF last winter, practically all
the conduct of the investigation was
in the hands of Mr.. Pattangall The
Republican members M the commit
tee. are Senator Smith of York and
Representative Macomber of Win
throp and Nallett of Freeport