The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1914-10-23
STATE TREASURER ALLEN
SENT TO PEN FOR
EMBEzzLEMENT

the aItenllOn OF the puDNC during the
last week, the climax being reached
late Wednesday night when Cover
nor Haines swore to a complaint
charging O.. v. Allen the present
treasurer with embezzlement. The
amount involved is said to approx
mate $4,000. The state is protected
by bond aggregating $200,000OO.
1t is understood that auditors of
the bonding company have been at
work on the books for the last sew
eral days. Whether or not the de-
falcations will reach larger figure
will not be known until complete
examination of the books of the Of
fee have been made.
The unusual condition of affairs in
the state treasurer's Office first be-
came known Monday when Governor
Haines addressed kilograms to the
banks advising them not to honor
state checks bearing Treasurer Aliens
signature. Following this the an
nouncement was made that Mr.. Allen
had rendered his resignation to the
governor. Because of the probable
effect on the validity of the bonds
securing the state the resignation has
not as yet been accepted by the gov
ernor. To protect the interests of
the state the governor placed Alex
Ramstedt in charge OF the office
temporarily.
The Republican state central COM
mittee has issued statement advis-
ing Republican voters not to vote for
Allen. This action was taken be-
cause Allen was nominated by the
people in the primaries and at this
late date it would be impossible to
take his name off the ballot.
The developments in the case as
told by the Statesman Thursday
morning follows:
State Treasurer Allen is formally
charged with embezzlement by Cover
nor Haines. The governor arrived
in the city last night shortly after ii
o'clock from the southeast He was
met by Axel Ramstedt, who is tenn
porariiy in charge of the treasurer's
office, and who informed him in de-
tail that the audit of the treasurer's
accounts had developed far enough
during the day to warrant charge
that the treasurer was shont in his
accounts.
Prosecuting Attorney Givens was at
once called in and asked to prepare
complaint, which the governor
signed Immediately, within half an
hour after he had arrived in the city.
The specific charge is the embez-
element of $70,354.o8, but it is pos
sible the complete audit, which will
REQUIRE some little time yet, may dis
close a larger amount.
1t is understood also that proceed
ings will be commenced against Fred
M. Coleman, former deputy in the
treasurer's office, who is said to be
at Seattle.
The warrant was served on Mr..
Allen last night. He has been con-
stantly under surveillance since he
rendered his resignation.
Mr.. ALLEN was arranged before
Justice of the Peace Bower after
midnight and his bond fixed at $2O,-
600. He stated he was not in posi-
ton to furnish the bond that late at
night and he was turned over to the
custody of Sheriff Roberts, who re-
manned with him last night at the
Allen apartments in the HURT build
ing.
The executive committee of the Re-
publican state committee held a
meeting late Wednesday night and re-
pudiated Mr.. Allen as candidate tor
treasurer and sent word through the
publicans not to vote for him.
Governor Goes to the Bat"
Governor Haines made the follow
ing statement:
$50 soon as there was brought to
my attention any facts relative to any
irregularities in the treaSurer'S Of
fee, | at once placed Mr.. RamStedt
in charge, notified the banks not to
cash any treasurer's checks and had
Mr.. Allen placed under close surveil-
lance. | did not say anything about
this surveillance before l left for the
southeast few days ago to flll some
speaking dates, but can say now that
Mr.. Allen has been closely guarded
at all times.
81 did not feel warranted in max
ing any announcement about the
watch being maintained over Mr.. Al
len, or to make any other positive
statements in advance of some tan
gible evidence from the books them
selves; nor did l propose to be pres
sed into improper action by any state
ments of my political opponents.
Knowing everything had been
done and that the states interests
were safe, | went for a few days
campaign trip into the southeast and
submitted IN silence 10 the atldChS VI
those who have attempted to make II
appear that | had been remiss.
"I could do nothing more at the
time, / could not act until l hac
something to act on. Having some
thing, have acted, and l shall 60 or
acting as plain duty dictates irrespec
tive of consequences or the fact thai
we are safe in the midst of a cam
paign. 80.
q told Mr.. Ramstedt to facilitate
the audit of the books every possible
way, and to notify me at once when
ever anything tangible developed
Then | went to the southeast, know
ing that the public's interests haC
been protected, that the MACHINERY
was running to conduct the stat
treasury business, that Mr.. Aller
CONTINUED on page six.)