The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1912-10-31
SPURIOUS CLAIMS AGAINST THE
STATE
A Raid on the State Treasury Partial
ly Headed Off.

A few weeks ago the statement was
published broadcast hat the present
state auditor, II. b.. Anderson, had
saved the state from $4,000 to $40,
600 during his first term of office by
refusing TO pay certain vouchers pre-.
scented to his office. The bull moose
newspapers questioned this statement
and their bluff was promptly called.
r. b. Roberts, editor Of the Pierre
Dakotan, at his own expense, compil-
ed from the records in the state audi
tors office a list Of these claims that
had been turned down. We have not
the space to publish the entire list,
but herewith append a few Of the
items as samples of the attempts TO
loot the state treasury.
Game Department-Bernard Vessey,
stenographer salary for January ana
February. Payment refused for the
reason that he was employed as clerk
of senate during both months, $l2O.
Bernard Vessey is a son Of Cover.
nor Vessey and at the time he filed
his voucher asking for salary in the
same |wardeu's Office for January n
February, he had already drawn pay
from the state for those same months
at So per day as a clerk III the legis-
lature.
Board Of Charities-George H. Ian
ming, refused as not entitled to salary
or expense until he had qualified and
filed bond, $3.50.
This refers to old Granny Lanning,
member OF the Board of Charities and
Corrections. Before his appointment
to this position he went to Pierre TO
lobby for a job, During his stay in
ri ire he was appointed 10 the posi-
ton that he now holds. The $3.50
mention d above is a bill Lanning put
into the state auditor for expenses in
Cured while seeking the job and be-
fore he had become a member Of the
board. Talk abost grasping nerve.
This is the limit.
Fire Marshall. A. Craft, expense
per diem Sioux Falls, offending court
in own case. Referred to attorney
general and sustained. $3.50.
Mr.. Craft had a personal suit in
Sioux Falls and thought the state
ought to pay his expenses. The audi
tor and attorney general figured it
otherwise.
o. S. Basford-Hotel and railway eX-
pensa to Lead and Hot Springs while
making political speeches. Referred
to attorney general and sustained,
s16.75.
Mr.. Basford is commissioner OF in
surance and boss OF the reform ma
chine. While travelling during the
campaign solely for the purpose OF
making political speeches and work
ing in the interests of the members
OF the select circle, he puts in his bill
for said expenses to the state. Our
readers have doubtless heard OF Mr..
Basford before and will not be sur
prised at this aottempt of his to hold
up the state.
Soldiers Home. b. Geddes for
20S days service at $3.50 per day. Pay
ment refused for the reason that
claimant was employed at a fixed sal
airy and not entitled toextra compen-
sation. Opinion of attorney general
to sustain, 1872.
Mr.. Geddes was commandant of the
soldiers home at an annual salary,
but in common with associates of the
present administration endeavored to
work the state for extra compensation
on hes ide. That he did not get away
with the 1912 was not his fault but the
fault of the state auditor.
Various other illegal charges en-
bracing items Of auto hire $246.55,
auto hire SIPS, laundry for the militia
s125. auto hire $3.50, supplies $3.50,
balance of expense of a special train,
claim filed by the governor $3.50, fees
of officials in u~norganiZed counties
81, 9O1 .73 and claims of all descriptions
and from various departments the ag-
gregate amounting to over $4,000 are
to be found among the list OF these
spurious claims.
We submit to the tax payers Of this
state that the record made by the ma
chine now In power has been so rank