Omaha daily bee., 1911-12-29
Nebraska
AUDITOR WILL DEMAND CASH
Formal Request for Money Paid
Officers of Union Fire.
EXAMINERS FEES
Some Doubt whether They Are
Legally Paid Under the Law
Liability Commission Holds
Its First Session.
lFrom q sad Correspondentl

(From a staff Correspondent
LINCOLN, Dec. &.--(Speclal Telegram)
The report Of the examiners on the
Woodmen and Union Fire Insurance COM
panies has been made to Auditor Barton.
but that official thinks II advisable not
to give the, document out at present, until
he has had time to examine It and pend
ing the litigation in the district court.
One point however. he was willing to
discuss, and that was the payment OF
$4,000 to the officers OF the Union
TO induce them TO resign, that the Off
GERS of the woodmen might be elected in
their place TO further the merger OF the
two companies.
The reports disclose that $4,000 was
paid to T. J. Bromfield, $4,000 to f. II.
Marshall. 5000 to G. p. Watson, 5000 to
Cyrus Kellogg. 5000 to j. f. Donovan.
Auditor Barton announced that some
time tomorrow he would make a formal
written demand upon the recipients of
this money that il be refunded or suit
would be brought to recover &C..
Mr.. Barton stated that he would en-
ploy an attorney to prosecute the case
unless the money was refunded, and that
a reasonable time would be allowed for
Paying Teachers' Examiners.
Auditor Barton is not altogether salts
fled with the explanation OF the payments
OF money to the board of examiners for
teachers life certificates He is inclined
to the opinion that regardless of the law
regarding payments for examinations OF
the Independent normals and denomina-
tlonal schools are Illegal. There is no
provision in law for this board to exam
Inc the state normal schools. and that
this duty belongs solely to the normal
board. There also appears to be some diff
ference in the practice Of the present su-
perintendent and that of his predecessor,
Crabtree. Under the latter It lie said that
all the examinations for teachers life
certificates we're made by the other board
of examiners, whose duties are at present
confined to certain high schools. and that
the duties of the board composed Of
Waterhouse. Bodwell and Fisher, were
formerly confined TO passing on the quail
fications of these independent schools.
There appears to be some difference Of
opinion, however. on this point.
The auditor has written a letter TO Su-
perintendent Dalzell asking for an ex-
planstion OF the mixup.
3 .
Liability Commission Meets.
The commission named by the last log
islature to formulate an employers liza
bility bill met in the governors rooms
this afternoon with all the members pres
ent except Victor Rosewater OF Omaha.
There were present c. d. Traphagen, A.
l.. Wetherly and f. NJ. Coffey OF Lincoln;
/. d. Knsaw OF ETAoIN in,sIn,.R
I. d. Evans Of Kenesaw. and A. C. Welt
zell of Omaha. The commission organized
by .electing MIR. Traphagen chairman and
A. e. Sheldon Of the state reference H.
brary secretary. 1t was decided the COM
mission would meet January 80. 1912, to
take up. actual work and at that,time II
is expected the scope of the proposed
measure VIII be decided on, though moth
ing can be done on the actual formulation
of the bill. Be fore that is done 1t is 'ex-
pected severalnrass meetings will be held
at which parties interested will be asked
10 appear and express their views IL will
also require some time to collect inofrma-
tion regarding what has been done among
these lines by other states.
Fees Exceed Expenses.
The bill placing the examination and
registration of stations under the juris-
diction Of the State Board Of Agriculture
aud fixing fees for its work, is proving
a regular gold mine. The fees are IS for