The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1912-11-27
KENTUCKY MAY
HOLD The BAG
Alleged Discrepancy of
Commissioner Bell
IS REPORTED OVER $4,000
Accused Says He is Not Res
pOnSib:e, But Will Fix
the Blame.
GoODPAsTER's INVESTIGATION

soI6Ie from OudS. W Dell, AhSuA
ance Commissioner, during the last
administration is S2O,730.77.
This report was made to Cover
nor McCreary to-day by State In
zpector and Examiner Sherman
Goodpaster. There is due the
State on account of fees s15,S11.2s
and on account of the , per cent
tax S5,419.49. Contrary to the
statute Mr.. Bell, who was appoint
ed by Auditor Frank p. James,
gave bond direct to Auditor James,
his surety being al first the United
Surety Company OF Baltimore, Nd.
This bond was in existence until
some time in the year 1910, when
the company went into the hands
of a receiver, and for the remain
der OF the year Mr.. Bell was under
no bond
In 1911 AR. Bell gave as his
surety the Georgia Life Company,
but from January /. 1912, TO
March 81. 1912. he was under no
bond, as the bond OF the Georgia
Life Insurance Company expired.
Under the circumstances it is
doubtful if the State can collect
from the bond any money due, eI-
cept during the year Of 1911.
In an interview tonight Mr.. Bell
asks the people Of Kentucky 20 sus-
pend judgment on him following
me sensational report of his delin-
quency as Commissioner, made to
Governor McCreary to-day by Sher-
man Goodpaster, State Inspector
and Examiner.
Il am not responsible in the
least for the $2O,73O.77 Delinquent
cy," said Bell. "A statement will
be made by me as soon as can
prepare it after | have read the re-
port OF Mr.. Goodpaster. | will fix
the blame. 1t will break my heart
TO do it, but | cannot rest under
so grave a charge, as | am inno-
cent"
1t is said that Bell will place the
blame on a subordinate, but at
present he will not disclose the
name. Fast living, the cards and
che ponies are said to be the cause
Of the downfall of the subordinate.
The investigation made by Good
paster covers a period of four years
and three months, and he says the
record books of the fees were mis-
erably kept, and that they showed
carelessness and disregard of both
legal and moral responsibility that
is appalling.
The ledger Of Mr.. Bells prede-
Uessor, H. R. Prewitt, from Janu-
airy 6, 1908, to July /, 1909, was
used after Mr.. Bell went into Office,
and no footings were made or bal
ances brought down to separate the
two administrations.
A new ledger was opened by Mr..
Bell July l, 1909, but no balances,
OF which there were a number,
We're carried from the old ledger
10 the new.
Goodpaster found that the
month Of June. 1909, both on the
journal and the cash cook never
was posted on the ledger.
He had to rely wholly on stub
books TO secure the amount of
money chargeable on account OF IL ]
censes issued, paid vouchers. to Sc =
cure the amount on account of ex-
animation fees. list of the au- =
tnorized companies to secure the |
amounts on accounts of statements
and additional statements and GER I
tifcates of compliance, as no cred I
,ence could be placed in the incom-
.plete book records OF them. {
In this connection Goodpaster
says that there is a book OF stubs
of credit slips issued that cannot be
found, and will probably amount to
$500. and If this book is found the
amount due the State from Bell
should be credited with it.
Goodpaster says that all the
fees OF the office are chargeaDle 10
the Insurance Commissioner, and
his failure to collect them make
him responsible for them to the
same extent as if he had collected
them.
The investigation did not reveal
whether the amounts were collect .
ed and not reported to the Auditor
by the Insurance Commissioner. or
whether they are still due. AS 1t
would be necessary to make up the
accounts of each individual insur-
ancs company and send them
statement before any definite con-
clusion could be reached, 1t would