The Colfax gazette. [volume] (Colfax, Wash.) 1893-1932, 1912-01-12
POLITICS HITS
WHITMAN CO. MAN
STATE TRACK INSPECTOR PERLEY
REMOVED FROM OFFICE
MAKES STATEMENT.

A. w. Perley, a resident of Tekoa
and well known o. r. & N. engineer
formerly running through Colfax but
more recently connected with the
public Service commission as state
track inspector, has been bumped
from office. Lack of political activ-
ity rather than because of it," is what
Mr.. Perley believes to be the reason
for his removal. c. o. Barnhart, as
sistant track inspector, has also been
asked to leave the service at the end
of the month.
The commission a few days ago
sent brief note to Mr.. Perley which
| follows:
AT formal meeting of the COM
mission today it was ordered by the
commission that your services as in
spector of tracks and safety appli-
ances be terminated on January Is,
1912, and the secretary was instruct
ed to advise you as of this date.
Signed-The Public Service Commits
sion of Washington.
Following is the statement of the
commission relative to the action
taken:
THAT the commission has been as
sured from a great many reliable
sources that Mr.. Perley has been
active in his political work in the
state, and that he has made state
ments from time to time criticising
the members of the present commits
sion in such a way as to constitute
gross INSTRUMENTATION. This condi-
ton, which has existed from some
time past, has become accentuated
during the past so days, and has, in
the judgment of the commission, en-
tirely impaired Mr.. Perley's contin-
ued usefulness as an inspector for
the commission. The present COM
mission feels that of all Offices in
the state, the public service commits
sion ought to be entirely free from
political entanglements of any kind.
'Mr. Barnhart was released on ac-
count of the necessity for strict re-
! trenchment of expenses in every de-
partment. The commission finds that
the condition of the appropriation Is
such as to require the strictest econ
omy during the remainder of the BIZ
ennial period, especially in view of
the number of public service corpora
tions that must be valued, requiring
every dollar of the appropriation pos
sible to be expended in that work,
on account of the numerous COM
plants in regard to service and rates
that are continually being received
| by the commission. The commission
| has been compelled recently to re-
duce it's engineering force from IL to
| four men and feels at this time, from
the recent reports that have been
submitted to the department that the
track, equipment, ETC., of the differ
ent roads is in such a condition as to
render the services of an assistant
inspector unnecessary. 1t is perhaps
unfortunate that the commission is
compelled to curtail its expenses
| along these directions, but finds it
imperatively necessary for the reason
that deficiency cannot be created"
Mr.. Perley stated on Monday that
he had intended to wait until Janu-
ary Is, the date his discharge be-
comes effective, before making any
statement but comment has forced
him to make statement. He said:
The only statement that | care to
make is that my official life is an
open book, and / have never yet
found it necessary to deny any
| charges pertaining thereto.
Il am not ashamed of my service
to the state, and l would have been
! glad if in recognition of those SER
vices, the members of the commits
sion had seen fit to give me an op-
portunity to meet the reliable sour
ces of their information. ] believe I
should have been permitted to enter
a plea. | was not only denied this
right, but was not aware Of any dis
satisfaction on the part of the COM
mission. If | was relieved because
of rumors of criticism of my superior
officers and political activity, COM
mon fairness demanded that I be
called before the commission End Civ
en- a hearing. The inference there
fore is that / was relieved from Of
flee for lack of political activity
rather than because of it.
so far as using my position or
the acquaintances or friendships
made thereby to advance the candi-
dacy of any man who may aspire to
office, / deny the charge. desire to
say that my American citizenship
gives me the right, when two men
are running for office, to express my
opinion as to the fitness Of my choice.
This carries with it the fact, however,
that never yet have been disloyal to
my superiors, either when employed
by railroad corporations or by the
state.
''In the authorized statement sent
out by the commission the fact is
stated that the track and equipment
in this state is in splendid condition
am content, therefore, to let the
people decide whether my official du-
ties have been neglected in order to
do politics"
Mr.. Perley has been mentioned in
many parts of the state as possible
candidate for governor.
J. r. Walker of Spokane, eastern
Washington adjustor for the indus
trial insurance commission, Is con-
sidered for appointment as state
track inspector to succeed A. w. Per-
ley. The position of track inspector
carries a salary of $4,000.