Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-08-14

animation of bridges, etc. Other alleg-
ed Irregularities are reported to have
been uncovered by L. A. Wilkinson &
Son of Des Moines, special examiners.
BIG FRAUDS UNCOVERED.
In spite of the profound secrecy
which has surrounded the sessions of
the grand jury, there have leaked
out rumors of the discovery of almost
unbelievable corruption and involving
county officials and others in whom
the people have always had the ut
most confidence. While some of the
men reported to be slated for indict-
ment or custer proceedings, at the
least, are some whom general report
has caused to be classed with petty
grafters, the people were entirely I'M
prepared for the reported gross frauds
which are commonly reported. The
ramifcations Of the investigation are
reported to be involving a much larg-
er number of citizens than the far
mers who signed the petition asking
that il be made, had ever supposed
would be reached.
RAMIFICATIONs OF CRAFT.
Among the reports are rumors of
the purchase at eyorbitant prices of
thousands of dollars worth of anti
toxins, cleaning compounds, paper
towels, pencils at 20 cents each, dis
infectants, and even blotters, the lat
ter said TO have been purchased in
such quantities that each Of the SUI
pcrvisors could have used go each day
of the 365 in the year. Then there
are rumors of warrants issued on
blank bills and money Illegally trans,
ferred from one fund TO another. All
of those rumored discoveries are in
addition to what may have been dis.
covered in the investigation of the
purchases of bridges, the real cause
for the stirring up of the scandal.
The corruption in Clinton county
is 100 per cent greater than it was
. in Polk county" said Attorney Samp
son, who had charge of the investiga
ton there.
HAUKE'S RESIGNATION.
That the resignation of Supervisor
/ Thomas +. Hauke, who declared his
innocence of any criminal liability, al
though admitting the possibility Of
careIessness, will be followed by 9th
ers before the grand jury reports II
the expectation Of the citizens, wht
have assumed a frame of mind il
which the rumoTs are given the full
est credence.
| Just how far back the grand jur,
is going in its investigation is becom
ing a matter of conjecture with tn,
public. According to popular belief
similar conditions have existed in tn
county for years, in fact for SO lon
that the officials had reached the poin
where they viewed them as lega
through the rule of precedence. Fo
years a part OF the citizenship of tn
county has not been backward in e1
pressing the opinion that county al
fairs were not conducted on a bus
ness basis, while other citizens wer
just as quick 10 defend the county o
icials. But no one apparently wa
sufficiently interested TO demand a
anu III
dertook one on its own initiative.
HOW THE PROBE STARTED.
The present investigation is gene
ally credited 10 the persistency OF
newspaper published in calling attel
ton to bridge contracts, publishing n,
merous articles apparently directe
against the proprietors of local bride
plant, which was erecting a large pr
portion Of the county bridges. FINAL
a number of farmers became suficien
" interested TO sign petition to II
April grand jury, asking for an invest
cation. The grand jury complied, an
after a long session extending uni
the close Of the term, filed a parti
report, asking that special investig
tors be employed and setting fort