Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1913-03-07
STtRTLING CONDITIONS IN THE
HEALTH AND CHARITIES SYS-
TENS or OKLAHOMA.
NEP0T|SM LAW VIOLATED
Dr. Nalif Declared Unfit for Position
Seek 10 Abolish Position Held
by Miss Kate Barnard.
BY j. \. MKEENER
tStaff CorrespondentD

OKLAHOMA CITY, March g.
Startling conditions in two state de-
Iartmcnts, that Of public health and
that of charities, are revealed by a
report made to the house this after
noon by the Emmanuel efficiency
committee. The investigation Of the
department of health was conducted
IN subcommittee composed of j.
Roy Williams. Chase and Rexroat'
ReNroat refused to sign the report
because he said in statement issued
later that he did not believe the evil
dcncc Justified the committee in some
of its findings.
The investigation into the depart
ment Of charities and corrections
was made by Representatives Wright,
Cook and Prentiss.
The report on the department Of
health goes into details and recon-
mends that DR.. J. C. Mahr. head Of
tho department, Is not a fit person
for the position and should be re-
moved The legislature has no au-
thority to remove him, as he Is APP
pointed by the governor.
Few Cases, No Revenue.
The report first declared that the
pure food and drug laws are on a
par with those of other progressive
states. but since statehood there have
been only Two prosecutions for viola
tions of the law, and that not a cent
in fines has been paid into the state
treasury. The department employs
tour drug and food inspectors and
each should send in about so samples
for ANALYSIS each month, but since
statehood only 900 have been sent
in. and these were largely taken from
wholesale houses in oklahoma, and
the state laboratory at Norman Is be-
ing used for the benefit of these con-
Germs. saving them the expense OF
having one.
Great Political Activity.
one of the strongest criticisms OF
the department is that of pernicious
political activity in that DR.. Mahr
used employees of his department to
aid in the election Of Governor
Crucc. ana has appointed nephew
of the governor, Caswell Bennett, to
a place in the department. The re-
port says that Bennett Is more OF n
pcnsioner than an employe Yet, the
report SAYS, there was no evidence OF
an understanding between the cover
nor and Dr. Mahr. The report says
that the nepotism law has been Nio-
lated by the appointment of Bennett,
and that during the eleven months
Bennett has worked, he has sent in
only six samples for analysis lie is
LAWYER the report says, and is not
qualified for his position.
Up Late o. Nights.
The proprietor OF the hotel where
Bennett lives. testified that he was OF
nocturnal habits, sleeping in the day
time and arising about the time other
people go to bed
The nopotism statute was also vio-
lated the report says, in the employ
ment of Charles Bellamy brother OF
Former Lieutenant Governor Bel
lamy Mr.. Bellamy testified that on
ded his expense accounts between
S275 and 5000 and gave the money to
Or. Mahr. He told the committee
that during the meeting OF the state
medical association, at the instruction
of DR.. Mahr, he purchased a case OF
whiskey, ito show the boys good
time" and charged it on his expense
account. lie said he was kept on the
payroll for three months during a
session of the legislature TO lobby for
the department, and also said on var
ious times DR.. Mahr was "maudlin
drunk"
a. j. Emery. former employee of
the department, testified that he paid
Dr Mahr $500 out Of his salary for
winch he had no return.
He also said DR.. Mahr was addict
ed to the use OF intoxicating liquor
The evidence alsho showed that the
wife of Inspector L. s. Russell was
or the pay roll Of the department.
The report charges that claim
for 500 for a full months salary to
u. Il. Jcner, was filed. when in fact,
Jenner only worked one half OF that
month. II. II. Riley. chief clerk OF
the denartment. testified that he has
been in the department for four
years and the last two years has been
attending medical college in this
city. in addition to attending to his
official duties. Another inspector
testified that he has been paid by a
disinfcctant company TO boost theii
product while working for the state
with the knowledge OF DR.. Mahr.
DR.. Mahr testified that he had en-
ployed Mr.. Bennett because of his
experience as a lawyer. He admitted
being employed by life insurance
commissioner at $4,000 year in the
employ Of the state. He stated that